STR: Preliminary November 2016 data for Berlin
STR's preliminary November 2016 data for Berlin, Germany, indicates performance growth.Based on daily data from November, Berlin reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
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Novum Hotel Group And GBI AG Set Up Hotel Project In Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main is in pole position: Increasingly more banks, financial institutions and Fintechs want to be part of the thriving metropolis at the Main river. By erecting yet another new hotel the NOVUM Hotel Group will meet this strongly growing demand. A hotel of the NOVUM Style Hotel brand with 352 rooms will be erected in the vicinity of the central exhibition grounds, in cooperation with the largest hotel project developer in German cities, the GBI AG, who has sold resp. set up projects of above 1.0 billion Euros.
Sharing accommodation impacts cities more than hotels
Fast growth but low market share for 'sharing' accommodation platforms – Experts see major impact on residential accommodation – ITB Berlin exclusively publishes results from the World Travel Monitor® ForumSo-called 'sharing' accommodation providers may be growing fast but they still have a relatively low share of the overall hospitality market in Europe. Their main impact is in cities where they generate significant numbers of visitors but also reduce residential accommodation, according to experts. Those were some of the results of the 24th World Travel Monitor® Forum. Only 3 percent market share for 'sharing' accommodationThe so-called 'sharing' economy has boomed in recent years with the rise of firms such as Airbnb which have disrupted the leisure accommodation sector. However, they remain niche players, according to figures from the World Travel Monitor®. In 2015, Europeans booked so-called 'sharing' accommodation for 14 million outbound trips, which was a mere 3 percent of all their international trips. Nearly two thirds of these bookings were for apartments/flats and holiday homes, while only about 15 percent were for private rooms or B&B stays. "These apparently low figures may seem surprising considering how often 'sharing' companies make headlines about their dynamic growth, but they also show the sizeable future potential for these players," commented Dr. Martin Buck, Messe Berlin's Senior Vice President. Is Airbnb 'sharing' or commercial?The largest and best-known 'sharing accommodation' platform Airbnb now has about 3 million accommodation listings worldwide and is expanding into new business areas such as destination activities. But the US company has also faced widespread criticism that it is disrupting city centres and neighbourhoods by bringing in excessive numbers of visitors and effectively taking apartments out of the commercial rental sector by driving up prices. Diverse cities including Berlin have imposed new rules on commercial rental of private apartments to try to stop property-owners from renting to tourists through Airbnb and other providers instead of to local people or students. In response, Airbnb agreed at the start of December to enforce regulations designed to prevent hosts from renting properties in London for more than 90 nights a year and in Amsterdam for more than 60 nights. Jeroen Oskam, research centre director at the Hotelschool The Hague, explained to the Pisa forum that Airbnb is primarily a commercial business, and now has a 10 percent share of all international arrivals in Amsterdam and nearly 8 percent in London. According to his in-depth analysis of Airbnb's bookings in four European cities (Amsterdam, London, Berlin and Madrid), more than 82 percent of Airbnb-listed accommodation is rented as the entire property, and less than 18 percent as a private room or a sharing room. Similarly, more than 80 percent of the accommodation is available for rent for more than 31 days a year, and a high proportion of listed accommodation is located in city centres, he said. In London, about half of all Airbnb units are offered by hosts with multiple properties. "Airbnb combines a substantial part of commercial activities with a minority of authentic 'sharers'. This means residents are displaced by tourists. So it's 'unsharing'. You reserve assets for tourists," Oskam concluded. At the annual World Travel Monitor® Forum in Pisa, initiated at the invitation of consultancy IPK International and sponsored by ITB Berlin, around 50 tourism experts and academics from around the world present the latest figures and current trends in international tourism. Alongside special evaluations from IPK International's World Travel Monitor®, ITB Berlin will publish further key data from the World Travel Monitor® as part of the 'ITB World Travel Trends Report 2016/17' (Link to last year's ITB World Travel Trends Report 2015/2016 here: http://www.itb- berlin.de/media/itb/itb_dl_all/itb_presse_all/WTTR_ITB2016_8_Web.pdf) in early December. The 'ITB World Travel Trends Report' is based on the latest results and presentations at the World Travel Monitor® Forum, which is an exclusive meeting where current trends in the travel industry are discussed and predictions for tourism developments are made. The annual results of the World Travel Monitor®, which is the largest worldwide study on global travel behaviour, will be presented by IPK International at the ITB Future Day at the ITB Berlin Convention.
Westin Hotels & Resorts Arrives in Hamburg
Bethesda, MD -- Westin Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR), today announced the official unveiling of The Westin Hamburg, marking the brand's debut in Hamburg. Overlooking Germany's famed port city, the hotel resides within the Elbphilharmonie: Hamburg's new architectural landmark, home to two esteemed concert halls as well as luxury residences. Reimagined with a striking glass facade and thoughtfully-designed interiors, the storied building – once a historic riverside warehouse – is now poised to deliver a new level of well-being in the bustling city.
Rezidor and prizeotel announce their second joint hotel in Erfurt, Germany
The Rezidor Hotel Group and prizeotel are proud to announce their second joint hotel project in Erfurt, Eastern Germany, only a couple of days after announcing the signing of the prizeotel Bern, Switzerland. This new signing is evidence of Rezidor's rapid expansion plans with prizeotel. The prizeotel Erfurt-City, featuring 208 rooms, will open its doors in 2019 at a premium location with a direct connection to Erfurt central train station, at the start of the urban development project 'ICE City'.
Medical Tourism – a new segment at ITB Berlin
For the first time ITB Berlin 2017 will be fully devoting a platform to medical tourism, which has become an important fast-growing market. Medical service providers, hotels and destinations will be able to exhibit their products and services In the Medical Tourism Pavilion in Hall 3.2. Presentations and workshops will be held so that visitors can find out more about the latest trends and developments in this growth market.
Hanover To Get A Second Intercityhotel
Deutsche Hospitality is developing a new upper mid-range IntercityHotel on Berliner Allee at the very heart of the city of Hanover. When work is complete, the hotel will offer 220 rooms and four conference rooms as well as featuring a modern interior design scheme by the Italian architect Matteo Thun which will deliver bright generously proportioned spaces and a real feel-good atmosphere. The new hotel will join an existing IntercityHotel located on the South-West side of Hanover's main railway station. The latter opened in 2009 and will undergo modernisation during the course of 2017.
INTERCITYHOTEL BRAUNSCHWEIG OPENS ITS DOORS
The IntercityHotel Braunschweig opened for business at the start of the week, the first of the upper mid-range hotels operated under the brand to feature the new interior design by Matteo Thun. Located right next to the main railway station and the BraWoPark shopping and business centre, it offers 174 rooms, a conference area, a restaurant, a bistro and a bar. IntercityHotels have also been working with leading chef Pierre Nierhaus to rework menus and culinary offerings. Guests in Braunschweig can, for example, choose between light and modern dishes and familiar classics. Another innovation is the introduction of a special mobile app developed by the company hotelbird which allows visitors to use their smart phones to check in and out, open the door to their room and pay the bill."The launch of the IntercityHotel Braunschweig is the starting signal for a whole new generation of IntercityHotels," said Puneet Chhatwal, CEO Deutsche Hospitality. "We are delighted to be able to make our guest experience even more pleasant by offering a modern interior, convenient technology and a new gastronomic concept." Overall project development in Braunschweig was by the Hamburg-based B&L Group. The architectural firms of Reichel+Stauth from Braunschweig and php prasch buken und partner from Hamburg are responsible for the design of the hotel. The general contractor is W. Markgraf GmbH & Co KG of Bayreuth.
Risk, Mobility And Consumerization Were The Hot Topics Of GBTA Conference 2016 Frankfurt In Partnership With Vdr
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) -- the voice of the global business travel industry – and German business travel buyer association VDR – wrapped up their third successful joint conference in Europe this week with record attendance. The event brought together over 950 attendees from 20+ countries for networking, education and top-notch speakers.
STR: Preliminary October 2016 data for Munich
STR's preliminary October 2016 data for Munich, Germany, indicates sharp performance declines.Based on daily data from October, Munich reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
eTravel World now in two halls
ITB Berlin allocates more space for exhibitors in this growth segment – for the first time the eTravel Showroom features product presentations – lectures about chatbots, storytelling and influencer marketing on the eTravel Stage
25hours Hotels and AccorHotels announce strategic partnership
25hours Hotels today announces that AccorHotels is acquiring a 30% stake in its capital, with the objective of accelerating the global expansion of the 25hours brand. 25hours is also expanding its internal development structures and establishing a creative laboratory for this purpose. AccorHotels will be a strategic partner of 25hours supporting its long-term growth.
25hours Hotels and AccorHotels announce strategic partnership
25hours Hotels today announces that AccorHotels is acquiring a 30% stake in its capital, with the objective of accelerating the global expansion of the 25hours brand. 25hours is also expanding its internal development structures and establishing a creative laboratory for this purpose. AccorHotels will be a strategic partner of 25hours accompanying his long-term growth.
ITB Berlin Convention: knowledge for tomorrow’s world
The think tank of the international travel industry discusses the main topics of our time and offers an insight into future trends – Experts provide information on artificial intelligence, on support from social media in a crisis and Chinese investment in hotels – Admission is free for trade visitors at ITB Berlin
Sir Savigny Opens in Berlin
Not since Jay Gatsby set foot in West Egg has a neighborhood so eagerly anticipated the arrival of a new host —This October sees the grand opening of Sir Savigny in Berlin's vibrant Charlottenburg district. This 44- room luxury urban retreat built in 1893 perfectly reflects the mindset and sybaritic ways of its mythical founder, Sir Savigny, a bon vivant who has dedicated his life to beauty and storytelling. At this newest addition to the SIR hotels stable, the story unfolds deliciously with guestrooms that showcase the work of local artists and wide-open public spaces that create intimacy, spark conversation, and promote new friendships among kindred spirits.
Marriott International Debuts Moxy Berlin Ostbahnhof
Moxy Hotels, Marriott International's experiential hotel brand, hosted an epic party inspired by the prolific nightlife culture in Berlin, showcasing the music, dance, art and sexual expression that are the lifeblood of the city, October 20, 2016. Moxy Berlin, located between the buzzing Mitte and the ceaselessly hip Friedrichshain districts, was the perfect playground for guests to leave their inhibitions at the door and explore the underground's darkest desires through a corridor of hidden playrooms.
German hotel market still leading in Europe
Globally hotel markets are facing huge changes. Europe and in particular Germany can be measured in terms of renewals and smart future hotels. Currently 595 hotels are in the pipeline for Germany. Thereof about a third of all hotel construction projects in Europe are being built in Germany. This data has been revealed byTOPHOTELPROJECTS, the worldwide leading provider for global b2b hotel data.
IntercityHotel – New Locations, New Design, New Technology
In Germany, we are fond of saying that all good things come in three's. This certainly applies to the latest developments at IntercityHotels, a successful Deutsche Hospitality brand which can look back over a history of nearly 30 years and has made three new announcements. IntercityHotel is set for expansion. Before the end of the year, it will open its first hotel in Braunschweig and a further establishment in Qingdao (China). The first IntercityHotel outside Europe in Salalah (Oman) commenced operations in July. Further hotels in Duisburg, in Esslingen, at Berlin Airport and in Saarbrücken, Dubai, s'Hertogenbosch (NL) and Leiden (NL) will all follow over the course of the next few years. "We have a number of great projects at the planning stage," said Joachim Marusczyk, Managing Director of IntercityHotel GmbH. "Blank spaces on the map of Germany are being filled in, and IntercityHotels is also pursuing international growth." There is certainly plenty in the planning pipeline and, what's more, the upcoming IntercityHotels will feature a completely new concept. The IntercityHotel Braunschweig, the first hotel to boast a new design developed by the Italian architect Matteo Thun, will open its doors in November. Thun will deliver a real feel-good factor by transforming the lobby into a living room and will create bright and generously proportioned spaces for guests to enjoy. "Business life today requires extreme flexibility," he says. "We are all travelling a lot and often only stay in the same locality for one or two nights. 'Being at home' is no longer tied to any particular place. It is a feeling. This is precisely what we are seeking to impart to IntercityHotel guests via our new interior concept." A small change has also been made to the IntercityHotel logotype. The name of the brand is being spelled with a lower case "c" with immediate effect. In addition, IntercityHotel has joined forces with the trend and restaurant expert Pierre Nierhaus to rework its culinary offerings. Future menus will contain modern and light dishes alongside familiar classics.Internal design is not the only area in which guests will notice a difference in future. The background technology is also changing. Guests will be able to check in and out by using the convenient "hotelbird" mobile app. They will also have the option of using their smart phone to open the door to their room and to pay the bill. This is the first time anywhere in the world that the app, which operates in conjunction with the Oracle hotel management system, will be implemented in a fully automated manner. Test runs are already taking place at the IntercityHotels in Mainz and Darmstadt. The plan is for the concept to be rolled out across all IntercityHotels, beginning with the IntercityHotel Braunschweig. "Together with IntercityHotel und Oracle, we are defining new standards in the hotel sector," said Juan A. Sanmiguel, Managing Director of hotelbird GmbH. "As well as the technology, we are also delivering a completely new guest experience. We are looking forward to working with IntercityHotel to roll out the app at the start of 2017."
STR releases preliminary September 2016 results for Berlin
STR's preliminary September 2016 data for Berlin, Germany, indicates record performance for the month boosted by a number of events in the market.Based on daily data from September, Berlin reported the following in year-over-year comparisons:
Michael Zager has been named Vice President, Operations, Continental Europe at Intercontinental Hotel Group
IHG has appointed Michael Zager as Vice President, Operations, Continental Europe. Zager will start his new role effective October 1st and report to Stephen McCall, Chief Operating Officer, Europe.Zager will join the Operations Leadership Team and will be based within IHG’s Frankfurt office to help further strengthen presence and resource in this key market. IHG currently has 657 hotels open in Europe with a further 132 in the pipeline.A 32-year veteran of the industry, Zager – who started his hotel career as an apprentice in Germany – has worked across multiple disciplines and brands, including several GM appointments. He joins IHG from Wyndham Hotel Group, where his most recent role was Regional Vice President Middle East & Africa in the International Hotel Division, where he led operations across a large portfolio of franchised hotels and established the infrastructure supporting their managed division in that region. Prior to that he was responsible for new openings and operations across UK&I and Continental Europe at Marriott.