5. ITB Hospitality Day to look at budget hotels on different continents
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Berlin (February 5, 2010). The Trade Fair in Berlin has announced that the number of exhibitors will remain steady on the number last year - a positive signal for the start of the world''s biggest travel fair to take place in Berlin between 10 and 14 March 2010. The trade fair will also include a comprehensive congress programme including the 5th ITB Hospitality Day. 25 top experts will speak in six discussions covering the subjects of resorts/tour operators, innovation, mobile devices, climate and budget hotels; there will also be a CEO panel. Once again, hospitalityInside is media partner to the hotel conference and today presents the subject of the budget hotels'' talk.
In Germany, the subject of budget hotels has simmered slowly over the last two years; praise and expectations, especially for the stylish 2-star products, is high. Similar to the low cost airlines, designer budget means "no frills" with lots of taste. But what''s happening outside Germany and Europe?
The French Accor Group has learned just how hard it can be to market a budget chain in the competitive US market. Michael Muecke, one of Germany''s most distinguished budget experts and Accor Manager has lots to say on positioning and the problems faced by the Accor budget brands in Europe (Etap, Ibis) and the USA (Motel 6).
On a different note, Louvre Hotels must have many different markets in its sights. It made headlines has year as the parent company, Starwood Capital, purchased the insolvent Golden Tulip chain. The deal increased the size of the Louvre''s hotel portfolio from 800 hotels operated under various brands to 1050 properties. But how do these hotels sit with value brands such as Kyrida, Kyriad Prestige, Campanile and Premiere Classe? Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, President of Louvre Hotels, is keen to ensure responsibility and control of the group''s strategy stays with him.
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| Ibis 2010 - a new room generation is coming up. |
Prabhat Pani, Chief Executive Officer of the Indian budget brand Ginger Hotels, will also attend the event, travelling in specially from Asia to do so. Ginger Hotels are part of the conglomerate of the luxury hotel group Taj Hotels. Ginger is currently in the process of establishing its place in the Indian mass market - and there''s no lack of comfort and IT-friendliness here either. In October 2009, 21 hotels opened in India and a further 14 are under construction or planned. Within the space of four years, the aim is to grow to 70 budget hotels in 55 Indian cities. Prabhat Pani will explain details of the concept in the talk round.
Representing Germany is Sascha Gechter. The CEO of the successful and keenly expanding Meininger Hotels will describe the transition from hostel to low-budget hotel group. How does one manage to change target group and be represented in top inner-city locations at budget prices?
The get-together certainly promises some very interesting material. Prof Macy Marvel from the (consultancy of the) Ecole hôteliere Lausanne will put questions to the panel.
The full programme can be found under this link.
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| Michael Muecke, Accor. |
ITB Berlin 2010 - Bookings are stable and on the same level as last year
The current booking levels for ITB 2010 are stable and underline its role as the world''s leading travel trade show. A total of around 11,000 companies and organisations from over 180 countries and territories will be exhibiting their products and innovations in the 26 halls. This year more than 110,000 trade visitors are expected at the show. The focus is on Turkey, the partner country at this year''s ITB.
This year, major players such as Fraport and United Airlines are returning to ITB Berlin. In the Travel Technology section Sabre Travel Network and Dolphin Dynamics are back after an absence of several years. The increase in exhibitors from Asia is impressive. Inside Hall 7.2b, an all-new building, the Central and Inner Asian Countries (CIA) are promoting their geographically attractive and culturally fascinating local destinations. Private exhibitors from Vietnam who are new to the show such as Ami Tourist, Footprint Vietnam Travel (previously also at ITB Asia), Fusion Management and Wuxi/China, a new region, are represented with their own stands in the Asia Hall (26) for the first time, as is Garuda Indonesia. Thailand and Indonesia are occupying considerably larger stands. The Africa Halls (20/21) are completely booked up. Demand for space in the India Hall (5.2b) remains unabated even though it too is fully booked up. The Gay and Lesbian Travel section in Hall 2.1 is celebrating its debut at ITB Berlin.
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| Pierre-Frédéric Roulot, Louvre Hotels. |
Growth in the Luxury, Low Budget
Exhibitors in the sections luxury and low budget at ITB Berlin are among those whose numbers have increased, and there are newcomers in the sections representing cruises, Caribbean hotel resorts and economy accommodation. The fact that there is a long waiting list for Training and Employment in Tourism in Hall 5.1 shows that this section is gaining in importance. The large number of exhibitors represented in the Travel Technology halls (8.1 and 6.1) underlines ITB Berlin''s role as a trailblazer for new technology and software in tourism. This is the first time that ITB Berlin is offering international companies their own platform in the Mobile Travel Services section in Hall 7.1c.
The details, products and services of all the exhibitors at ITB Berlin can be found at the Virtual Market Place at www.itb-berlin.com. The Virtual Market Place also functions as an online catalogue. Information is updated on a regular basis. / kn
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