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Berlin (September 1, 2017). As of 2018, there will be no more individual "ITB Hospitality Day" at the ITB Berlin Convention. The trade fair management surprisingly announced that they want to streamline the convention's programme and focus on the hospitality topics of "luxury" and "technology". They will pop up in other convention panels.
Berlin (April 21, 2017). Hoteliers continue their fight against OTAs, but OTAs have their own problems now: they have to stand their ground against metasearch engines. In addition, mergers have also become part of the agenda in this segment. The middle class seemed to be drifting off further, admitted private hotelier Marius Donhauser. Therefore, Trivago's Managing Director Johannes Thomas is focusing on search results for individual as well as chain hotels more than ever. Because of these dynamics in the market, HRS' CEO Tobias Ragge sees great chances for local players, as he stated at the 12th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin in March. But all in all, the entire distribution has developed into a "money game".
Berlin (April 7, 2017). When Conrad Hilton described the key criteria for a hotel as "location, location, location", he failed to take one thing into account: Real estate is often more stable that the political and societal situation of the countries in which it is built. This is how one could describe the background to the "The Blessed and the Cursed" discussion during the ITB Hospitality Day. Hotel CEOs and tourism experts from Iran, Greece, Georgia and Russia spoke here on possible hotel performance in both good and bad times. Dramatically bad times, caused by wars or sanctions, can carry the seed for future fortune within them: It can only get better.
Berlin (March 31, 2017). As strange as it may appear after the recent terrorist attack in London, many experts, including the highly regarded professor, Hans Rosling (who recently passed away), keep on saying that statistically, the world has never been safer than today. Yet, the risk is real - in Europe and everywhere else on the planet. Should one stop travelling because of it? "No" answered a strong panel of experts during the "ITB Hospitality Day" conference about safety & security. Moderated by Professor Stephan Gerhard, CEO of Solutions Holding, the discussion covered many topics such as: resilience, how hotels can be better prepared, who should pay for more safety and how sharing best practices within the industry could make the difference. All four panelists also agreed on one thing: talking about security & safety should not be taboo anymore.
Berlin (March 24, 2017). Is the hotel industry prepared to embrace automation, Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence? This question was asked during the 12th "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB Berlin to an interesting panel of hospitality geeks who breathe new technology and could predict what the future of the industry will look like in 10 years. Moderated by Dr. Andrew Lim, professor of Technopreneurship and Innovation in Hospitality at Hotelschool The Hague, these experts talked about: digital reception, localized automation, the hospitality of things, smart PMS, guest room automation, mobile engagement, integration of guests' devices and the security around it. Hoteliers are warned: you have to be in it to win it.
Berlin (March 24, 2017). It doesn't have to be a bad discussion when participants basically agree. This was clear from the podium discussion "From foodies to food design to no food: How hotels deal with the challenges posed by F&B" within the framework of the ITB Hospitality Day on 9 March, 2017. Here, consultants and hotel managers were broadly able to agree that the era of formal and staid hotel restaurants in cities were now a thing of the past. Everything is in flux: The good old Food & Beverage (F&B) manager from yesteryear is today the manager for F&D (Food & Drinks) or better, the man for FD&D – for Food, Drinks and Design.
Berlin (March 17, 2017). Let's meet at the neighboring hostel for a nightcap? For some residents, this has become part of normal life. "Hostels are fun. They are tasty, colorful, social, central, unique, and fantastic," just to mention some of the buzz words used in the image film of the Hostelworld Group at the 12th "ITB Hospitality Day" last Thursday in Berlin. The hotel conference proved: the hostel market is in a major shift from a backpacker image to the social hub of the city. Most investors, however, do not seem to have completely realized this.
Berlin (February 24, 2017). What comes next after Super-Mario, the robot? At the "ITB Hospitality Day" 2015, the youngest employee at the Marriott Ghent in Belgium showed how to welcome and entertain guests. This year, the ITB convention continues this path and also wants to check out if the industry is already welcoming the digitalized world. Other panelists will discuss technology from the metasearch perspective. A crucial role plays technology when talking about safety and security. But, especially here, safety and security managers appeal to human colloaborations. On Thursday, 9 March at 10:30 a.m., the 12th ITB Hospitality Day has these highly interesting panel discussions in store. In Hall 7.1b/Auditorium London.
Berlin (February 17, 2017). Although technology topics are flooding the conference program this year, there are still topics at the "ITB Hospitality Day" that focus more on markets and people. Young, traveling enthusiastic people drove the hostel segment forward and made it so hip with their demand that now even hotel chains are interested in the 'lowest'segment. Whoever travels needs to eat. This is why F&B concepts are now thriving again – from food design to no food. And finally, new destinations like Iran open their doors, outsiders like Georgia are booming, Greece and Russia are catching up.
As media partner and organizer of the ITB Hospitality Day, hospitalityInside.com introduces today three of the six panel discussions.
Berlin (February 10, 2017). From clinical IT to lively travel worlds, with crises and opportunities mixed in – these are the topics of the 12th ITB Hospitality Day at the ITB Berlin Convention 2017 at the beginning of March. High-ranking speakers will be taking an in-depth look at hostels as the new social hub, at food design, safety & security, Automation, the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence, as well at emerging and challenging markets (Iran, Russia, Georgia, Greece). Last but not least experts will discuss the importance of metasearch. International experts on stage – on Thursday, 9 March 2017, from 10.30 a.m. in Hall 7.1b/auditorium London.
Berlin (April 29 2016). Where are loyalty programs heading to? Why are they becoming more important to travel providers and what are the reasons for hoteliers to be active in several programs with one hotel? A distinguished circle of representatives from TrustYou, Marriott, Sabre Hospitality and Miles & More were searching for answers at the "ITB Hospitality Day" in March.
Berlin (April 22, 2016). Everything flows these days, though there are signs that the current has now become sensational... digital natives and millennials swim at the centre, sloshing into working life. From 2020, every second employee in the world will be a digital native. But what is a digital native? A member of that demanding generation, born towards the end of the past century with a super-ego and more expectations than willingness to work? Speaking at the "ITB Hospitality Day" in March, Andreas Reiter, Head of the ZTB Zukuftsbuero, as research institute in Vienna, explained why today it doesn't help to ignore this generation.
Berlin (April 15, 2016). Innovation in the hotel industry has up to now often come from small and medium-sized companies; companies which have intensive contact with the guest and which pursue ideas based on guest suggestions and needs. Larger chains today work with "innovation labs" and trend researchers to turn their guests into fans. Will the hotel concepts of tomorrow arise in this way and how big is the impact of technology and digitalisation? A discussion round at the ITB hotel conference in March sought answers.
Berlin (April 8, 2016). The Chinese Plateno Group is already operating the first hotel of its brand 7 Days Inn in Ansfelden near Linz in Austria; the hotel in Puch near Salzburg is to open in April. The group wants to enter Europe only selectively; however, partnerships are desired – in both geographical directions. In China, the market leader has obtained more power through the participation of Jin Jiang, and the loyalty programme and WeChat have become influential tools for customer loyalty. The figures are staggering. At the hotel conference, the "ITB Hospitality Day", Plateno's Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer Eric Wu explained in a discussion with hospitalityInside's Editor-in-chief, Maria Puetz-Willems, the strategy of the Chinese hotel giant and the background for its rapid expansion course.
Berlin (April 1, 2016). Fighting hard to regain control over their distribution and most importantly over their customer data, even major players in the hospitality industry have lost ground over the years to OTAs and metasearch engines. Yes, hotels are resisting, but isn't it a lost battle? During last ITB' Hospitality Day, one session moderated by Wilhelm Konrad Weber, partner at Swiss Hospitality Solutions touched on many topics and what’s more, with two very talkative guests: Terri Scriven, Industry Head of Hospitality at Google UK and Peter Verhoeven, Managing Director EMEA at Booking.com. Both explained how dynamic and exciting the travel world was becoming, noting that many new disruptive players are entering the game (e.g. Airbnb). Consolidation, acquisition, innovation, disruption, etc. The distribution landscape is evolving and with it, mentalities and consumer expectations. So, who is fitted to win over the client?
Berlin (March 18, 2016). Seldom has a participant in a discussion at "ITB Hospitality Day" during ITB Berlin received such attention as was the case with Mario. Visitors would love to have hugged the 57 cm "tall" robot with mischievous eyes; at least, they all wanted to take a picture of him. The Japanese female robot ChihiraKanae seemed a bit more wilful although she had humanoid features and attracted a great deal of interest at the ITB Marketing and Distribution Day. There were many topics for discussion concerning robots and their impact on the work environment – with the sober recognition that the programmed beings are able to find their way into the hotel industry faster than anticipated. Fred Fettner provides a summary.
Berlin (February 26, 2016). The world of OTAs is turbulent and this will make the "duel of giants" even more exciting at the 11th ITB Hospitality Day: Google and Booking.com will encounter each other. This promises to be a highly interesting panel.
Berlin (February 19, 2016). Digitalisation will be a key theme at this year's ITB Hotel Conference, and at the ITB Hospitality Day, this will be linked in with the subject of employees (of the future) and with the guest in the two last discussion rounds. A future researcher talks of digital natives and experts talk about the "investment guest".
Berlin (February 12, 2016). For the very first time, a Chinese hotel group will attend the "ITB Hospitality Day": Plateno Hotel Group. With 3,000 hotels, it's the biggest chain in China - and is now preparing its market entrance in Europe through offices in Berlin. Maria Puetz-Willems, Editor-in-Chief of hospitalityInside.com, will interview Eric Wu, Chief Financial Officer & Executive Director of the Guangzhou-based hotel chain Plateno at the ITB Berlin.
Berlin (February 5, 2016). The "Special Guest" of the "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 10, 2016 is named Mario and he is a hotel robot by profession. The visitors to the 11th hotel conference of the globally leading trade fair for the international travel industry will not only be able to experience him during the opening, but also briefly at each of the talk rounds. Regarding digitisation, the central topic of interest of the ITB Berlin conventions, well-known hotel experts will discuss the subjects of robotics, high-tech innovations and innovation labs – and more during the ITB Hospitality Day. As usual, HospitalityInside is an exclusive media partner of the conference.
Berlin (April 10, 2015). Those who are looking for the fairy tale of selfless sharing will not find it in the Sharing Economy. On the contrary. A new branch of industry that makes use of missing resources and of missed developments within individual industries has sprung up before our eyes. "The Sharing Economy creates no better capitalism," believes Robert Wissmath, Managing Director DICON Marketing and Consulting Company, "but rather, it extends the present economic processes." It did not take long for Airbnb, the signboard for the Sharing Economy and great scapegoat of the hotel industry, to be the subject. The discussion of the "Sharing Economy" subject during the 10th "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB Berlin at the beginning of March demonstrated that the hotel industry is now on the path toward loosening its opposition and thinking more strongly about synergies or even cooperations with sharing suppliers.
Berlin (March 27, 2015). Luxury and lifestyle and budget and lifestyle are not contradicting each other; both segments are now forming the most different of symbioses within the industry. Concepts such as those from the Adlon Kempinski in Berlin or Indigo and Ruby have something in common: That each is focussing intensely on the communication with the guest and on that which is relevant to their properties. "The lifestyle mega trend will change our world radically and in the long term." 70 percent of the listeners at the "Luxury/ Budget Lifestyle Panel" at the 10th "ITB Hospitality Day" agree with this statement. And with this, the conference visitors quite clearly gave the red card to the standardised hotels for Joe Q. Public.
Berlin (March 27, 2015). Two different concepts, but several parallels: The Yotel brand – renowned for its "sleep cabins" in windowless airport hotels and the "Yobot" robot – repeatedly causes surprises within the industry thanks to its innovative power. Freshly founded Barefoot Living follows an entirely different concept: it approaches the hotel business from an emotional aspect instead of solely trusting in design and hardware. An exciting contrast at the 10th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference of the world's largest tourism trade fair in Berlin early March.
Berlin (March 20, 2015). Online Travel Agents (OTAs) that do not want to be such consider as such are afraid of system operators such as Google or Android which could turn out to be the true powers of evil that could make the hotel industry depend on them in the future. The intense "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB 2015 was coming to an end when an illustrious panel addressed the question whether the independence of the hotel industry was in the process of nearing its end as well. Trusting the vote of the audience at the end, this question must be answered with a clear yes: only 26 percent expect the hotel sector to generate the majority of reservations by itself.
Berlin (March 13, 2015). Google is an excellent assistant when it comes to illegally hacking other IT systems. Webcams can easily be used to observe and eavesdrop. And filtering the right password is often only a matter of time for the experienced hacker. The consequences of the widespread negligence in handling customer data were dramatically illustrated at the 10th ITB Hospitality Day at the ITB Berlin last week, live in front of an interested audience. "Check out - Hack in" was the title of the 'live hack' at the beginning of the conference. See it for yourself!
Berlin (February 27, 2015). Today, Internet technology determines a large part of the hotelier´s life and thus, the 10th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference within the world´s largest tourism trade show, ITB, will not exclude this subject. The Keynote will directly describe the negative sides of the IT today – the Cyber Attacks - while the final panel will devote itself to the big trends and future topics. Save the date: Thursday, March 5, 2015, at ITB in Berlin, Hall 7.1b / London Room. From 10:30. Those who must remain at home can nevertheless follow the hotel conference through a Live Stream on the Internet!
Berlin (February 20, 2015). For the 10th birthday of "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference within the world's large tourism trade show, ITB, the participants will allow their considerations to travel broadly: Everything is set toward contemplating the major trends in society and recognising their intricacies and effects within the hotel industry. Thus, the three consecutive panels will likewise intertwine the contents with each other during the CEO Panel: The Sharing Economy, Luxury and Budget Lifestyle as well as Digitisation and Sustainable Values. The talk rounds in detail are here. Save the date: Thursday, March 5, 2015, at the annually held ITB in Berlin, Hall 7.1b / London Room. From 10:30. Those who must remain at home can nevertheless follow the hotel conference through a Live Stream on the Internet!
Berlin (April 11, 2014). The voice of the customer is increasingly important. "User generated content", still viewed with scepticism five years ago, is very much accepted today, even in the hotel sector. Hotel ratings platforms and an increasing number of online travel agents (OTAs) produce mass content with their guest commentaries. How do bloggers and analysts see the hotel sector today? Have they changed or is it their readers? From the perspective of the third party, the discussion round at this year's Hospitality Day, the hotel conference at the ITB, described how reviews have changed in the perception of customers, hotels and intermediaries. This article concludes reporting by hospitalityInside.com on the ITB 2014.
Berlin (April 4, 2014). How much business comes through the website? That was the central question posed to participants at the talk round on online distribution during the 9th hotel conference at the ITB Berlin. The result was a lively and self-critical talk round on the challenges of online distribution, from the perspective of both the OTA and of the hotelier. The participants: representatives of Marriott Hotels, Ringhotels, VIR/Verband Internet Reisevertrieb (association internet travel distribution) and a pricing advisor.
Berlin (April 4, 2014). "We are no longer watching James Bond, it's really happening!" Uwe Bernd-Striebeck, partner of the auditing company KPMG, made it unmistakably clear to his audience that in a world of WiFi, both people and companies are increasingly open to systematic data attacks and espionage. The keynote speaker at the 9th "ITB Hospitality Day" issued a wake-up call. In a very clear speech, he described what networking means today and how hotels are affected by this.
Berlin (March 28, 2014). "Travel was always an important part of Chinese life," the Director of China Outbound Tourism Research Institute, Wolfgang Georg Arlt, said at the start of the Chinese talk round at the 9th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin. Yet it wasn't until 2013 that the Chinese government began to actively support outbound travel. Whereas travel in the past was primarily within China, cross-border travel has meanwhile revealed enormous growth. At the same time, expenditure by travellers has also increased. "The average age of the Chinese millionaire is 39 years old, in Germany it's 55", Arlt reports. This means: Even young travellers often have a lot of money at their disposal. The typical Chinese tourist is now a thing of the past though. Wolfgang Arlt enticed many details from his guests on the stage at the hotel conference, in particular about the behavioural changes of Chinese travellers.
Berlin (March 21, 2014). Growth of the so-called "Peer-to-Peer" (P2P) online platforms has been incredibly fast. Three years ago, hyped by lifestyle magazines as casual couch surfing, private accommodation on travels has become a mega million business particularly in major cities thanks to portals like Airbnb, Wimdu, or 9flats. This occurred at the expense of the hotel industry under unequal requirements, complained discussion participants of international hotel associations at a panel in the course of the ITB "Hospitality Day". In contrast, P2P providers were convinced of attracting new types of guests for the tourist industry. There was little room for differing nuances within these two poles on the podium.
Berlin (March 14, 2013). The subject of sustainability remains a constant topic in tourism as well as the contradictions: Is sustainable travel possible in the first place or should environmentally conscious people rather stay at home? Are luxury and sustainability compatible at all? At the "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference at the ITB, two experts of sustainable hotel concepts explained their strategies and ways of looking at things. However, these two protagonists of the panel could not have been more different: Bernhard Bohnenberger of Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and newcomer Ross Harding of "Finding Infinity".
Berlin (February 28, 2014). The Internet as a "democratic" platform: Initially, the traveller was only permitted to review online hotels and then it bore the new guild of the Blogger. Today, everyone can express their opinion on the Internet and thus have an influence on trends. This is equally valid for companies: The ability to book online has now paved the way for private room mediators. Today, Wimdu, 9flats and Housetrip are competitors of the traditional hotel industry. How do both change the industry? Two talk rounds of great interest at the 9th "ITB Hospitality Day", the Hotel Conference at the ITB, will discuss these trends, the facts and the emotions behind this. On Thursday, 6th of March, 2014, from 15:15, in Hall 7.1 B / London Auditorium.
Berlin (February 21, 2014). The CEO is this year a President, and his counterpart isn't a hotelier, but an engineer. All the same, Bernhard Bohnenberger from Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas and Ross Harding from Infinity Finder are an impressive pair. Both are committed to sustainability. The two gentleman make up the "CEO Panel" at this year's ITB hotel conference "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 6, 2014. Other interesting experts will also sit on stage beside them: a researcher, two hoteliers and a hotel purchaser. They are all passionate about one target group: the travelling Chinese. Now, the next generation of Chinese are making their way towards Europe. Every ITB visitor is welcome to attend the hotel conference, without registration, and admission is free: from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Hall 7.1b/London Room
Berlin (February 14, 2014). The "general situation after Snowden" motivates many businesses to reflect on the flood of data under their own roofs. What hoteliers have to lose and how they can avoid a disaster will be explained by the keynote speaker at the 9th ITB hotel convention "ITB Hospitality Day". The topic of the internet's influence will be continued directly in the next panel discussion: Will the hotel's own distribution power be able to absorb the decreasing rate parity? What will the new freedom in the online distribution cost? These two panels mark the beginning of the ITB hotel convention on Thursday, March 6, starting at 10.30 a.m. in Hall 7.1b, Auditorium London at the Berlin trade show grounds. The admission is free for all trade show visitors. For all those in the office or at home: the hotel convention will be broadcast live in the internet.
Berlin (January 31, 2014). The American data octopus, NSA, has also reached the hospitality industry over recent months, online portals are defending themselves against federal cartel offices and hoteliers have regained strength while they continue to defend themselves against Peer-to-Peer. Eco & luxury are beginning to reconcile, the "new" Chinese asks for individuality and in the meantime, many bloggers have joined the reservation-determining hotel review portals. The 9th "ITB Hospitality" Day at ITB Berlin 2014 takes up the major social subjects that have been greatly influencing the hotel industry. On Thursday, March 6 from 10:30 in Hall 7.1 B / London Auditorium at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Centre. Entry is free to all trade show visitors. Moreover, the ITB Hospitality Day will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet.
Berlin (January 31, 2014). The American data octopus, NSA, has also reached the hospitality industry over recent months, online portals are defending themselves against federal cartel offices and hoteliers have regained strength while they continue to defend themselves against Peer-to-Peer. Eco & luxury are beginning to reconcile, the "new" Chinese asks for individuality and in the meantime, many bloggers have joined the reservation-determining hotel review portals. The 9th "ITB Hospitality" Day at ITB Berlin 2014 takes up the major social subjects that have been greatly influencing the hotel industry. On Thursday, March 6 from 10:30 in Hall 7.1 B / London Auditorium at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Centre. Entry is free to all trade show visitors. Moreover, the ITB Hospitality Day will be broadcast LIVE on the Internet.
Berlin (April 12, 2013). The smartphone wave can no longer be held back, but it still hasn't reached everybody. The potential is huge, but just how ready is the travel industry for the mobile trend? Has it already recognised the power of mobile devices and what is feasible? Where are the specifics of the hotel industry? A high-calibre panel of representatives from internet data research, IT, the hotel industry and from Google looked at exactly these questions. The public attending this talk round at the ITB Hospitality Day, the hotel conference at the world's largest tourism fair in March, listened to the interesting and critical assessment of the participants.
Berlin (April 5, 2013). Boutique hotels are substantially more complicated to develop and operate than the standardised products of the big chains. In their niche and with a growing, if also narrow target group, smaller groups in this area have nevertheless found a permanent position in the meantime and they operate economically successfully as two Boutique CEOs pointed out convincingly at the 8th "ITB Hospitality Day" at the ITB Berlin. Christoph Hoffmann, CEO of the German theme and design hotel group The 25hours Hotel Company, and his Asian colleague, Loh Lik Peng from the Unlisted Collection in Singapore took the floor for 60 minutes and proved: They are following a global trend absolutely independently of each other - that of the cosmopolitan individualists.
Berlin (March 22, 2013). After such panel discussions, there is never one hundred percent satisfaction, but this year's dialogue between two students of the Ecole Hotelière de Lausanne (EHL) and two employers had its own charm: at the 8th "ITB Hospitality Day" at ITB Berlin, the students Adrian Ruch and Katharina Jaeger, both in their early twenties, asked the Head of Human Resources at Starwood Hotels and the young co-owner of the luxury hotel Suvretta House in St. Moritz questions about their career opportunities and the market – in alternating pairs on the stage. The fully occupied auditorium awaited the results.
Berlin (March 15, 2013). In the seventies of the 20th century, inter-rail trips were the ultimate travel experience for teens and twens from Europe; but today, cheap flights and hostels, youth trip operators and open borders offer even more thrilling perspectives. But what do the young travellers really want, which preparations are necessary for them, and what can hotels learn from hostels in this process? Last week, a panel discussion at the 8th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin provided some answers.
Berlin (March 1, 2013). Modern man has become a digital nomad; his shoulders slightly stooped and his gaze constantly directed downwards: he permanently checks his smartphone or tablet. Which of these two mobile devices will win in the end? Experts already have a hunch. Which developments will the industry face in future? The panelists of the "Mobile" panel at this year's "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 7, 2013 will try to describe the virtual world of tomorrow.
Berlin (February 22, 2013). Young energy at the 8th ITB Hospitality Day, between 13:30 and 14:30 on Thursday, the 7th of March: With lively talks and discussions, four hotel groups will present their unusual concepts. Dormero Hotels from Germany will be attracting listeners' attention with a 3-D concept for sound and lighting, Palladium Hotels from Spain will do the same with a special music hotel on Ibiza, the design-oriented creatives of Sextantio Group from Italy will talk about their World Cultural Heritage five-star caves, and the co-founders of URBN Hotels from China will be drawing attention to carbon-free city hotels. The hotel conference in Hall 7.1b/London auditorium is open to all trade show visitors.
Berlin (February 15, 2013). "For the first time, travellers found more than a place to sleep," sums up Claus Sendlinger, founder and CEO of the globally unique consortium of Design Hotels, which was founded exactly 20 years ago. The development of this group made him a pioneer in the international hotel industry. Today, he asserts: "Neighbourhoods are the new cities!" Sendlinger will hold a keynote speech about this subject at ITB Berlin 2013. By chance, this year´s "CEO Panel" is comprised of two additional "Design Hoteliers": Christoph Hoffmann of 25hours Hotels based in Hamburg and Loh Lik Peng of the Unister Collection from Singapore. Both have built up unconventional boutique hotel groups – and will exchange with each other on the ITB stage regarding the same and dissimilar conditions in Asia and Europe.
Berlin (February 8, 2013). This year, the 8th hotel conference of the ITB stands under the motto "Young". Therefore, the first two discussions of "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 7 in Hall 7.1b/Auditorium London will be joined by three students. In the first 'Hot Spot' Young Travellers the panelists should endeavour to clarify what expectations this generation has toward travelling and toward hotels. In the second 'Hot Spot ' Generation Y representatives of this age group will formulate what expectations they have toward their employers within the hotel industry. To start here, two students have already drafted their wishlists. Entry to the ITB hotel conference is free to all trade show visitors. As an exclusive media partner of the ITB Hospitality Day, hospitalityInside.com will report within its website on the panels after ITB – for all users.
Berlin (February 1, 2013). Young travellers, employees and CEOs, new hotel concepts and sales channels – on Thursday, 7 March 2013, at this year’s ITB Hospitality Day in Hall 7.1b/ the London Room, the focus is on new, dynamic and unconventional developments. In his keynote, Claus Sendlinger, CEO, Design Hotels will talk about the hotels of tomorrow and the principle of "being neighbourly." Afterwards, experts will engage in a discussion with young people about their demands on travel and hotels. Two students will be interviewing employers to find some concrete answers to Generation Y’s concerns. At the CEO Panel the founders of 25hours Hotels in Hamburg and Unlisted Collection in Singapore will span a bridge between boutique hotels in Europe and Asia. What is more, the Hospitality Day will present four exceptional hotel concepts from Germany, Spain, Italy, and Shanghai. The last hour will be devoted to mobile technology and the question of ”What power does the mobile world have?".
Berlin (January 11, 2013). The "ITB Berlin Convention" will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2013, the "ITB Hospitality Day" will take place for the 8th time. The hotel topics will focus on the motto "young" – on young concepts, young travelers, young CEOs and young distribution channels. First names of panelists discussing at the ITB hotel conference "Hospitality Day" are online now.
Berlin (April 13, 2012). Eager, career-hungry junior hoteliers challenged the participants of the talk "The War for Talent: The Mass Exodus from the Hotel Industry" with their questions at the end. The discussion at the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day" revealed: in order to stop the universally feared mass exodus from the hotel industry, more things would have to change as are obvious right now. However, the experts recommended the junior staff the customary mixture of studies and practice, extended by economic knowledge and international experience. It still remained unclear, whether the graduates of hotel management schools and technical universities should remain exclusively loyal to the industry.
Berlin (March 30, 2012). Western brands have dominated Asia for many years and now the Asians are striking with a countermove. Does a brand chaos come along and how many brands does the world need? Experts from the Chinese Jin Jiang Hotel Group and from the western top dog, Marriott Hotels, discussed this at the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference of the ITB. In addition, Cassidy Morgan, CEO Central and Eastern Europe with the globally operating brand consultants, Interbrand, provided the introductory key note speech. He backlit the brands for their core standards and how they can become strong in the digital context today. It appeared, however: The hoteliers live in their own company brand world.
Berlin (March 30, 2012). Western brands have dominated Asia for many years and now the Asians are striking with a countermove. Does a brand chaos come along and how many brands does the world need? Experts from the Chinese Jin Jiang Hotel Group and from the western top dog, Marriott Hotels, discussed this at the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference of the ITB. In addition, Cassidy Morgan, CEO Central and Eastern Europe with the globally operating brand consultants, Interbrand, provided the introductory key note speech. He backlit the brands for their core standards and how they can become strong in the digital context today. It appeared, however: The hoteliers live in their own company brand world.
Berlin (March 23, 2012). Today in the hotel industry, children do not particularly step in the footprints of their parents happily. They are primarily very well trained and sense more economically attractive opportunities in other industries. At the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day" at the ITB, Maria Puetz-Willems dug in deeply with two who still want to begin the inheritance of their fathers. Their fathers sat beside them and listened carefully to what the juniors think about them and the companies: Among the guests were Dieter and Daniel Mueller from Motel One as well as Chanin and Siradej Donavanik of Dusit Hotels. The meeting of two families.
Berlin (March 16, 2012). "Fewer providers with more power?" The slogan of the distribution panel at ITB Berlin's 7th "ITB Hospitality Day" was also the answer: a consolidation process is going on among online travel agents (OTAs) that will leave behind several portals. Online distribution is becoming more and more complex. New portals or niche business models ensure an increasing number of newcomers. At the same time, the giants are preparing a counterstrike.
Augsburg/Berlin (March 16, 2012). With 1,450 visitors, the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day" was well-attended again. In response to the exciting talks, critical questions also came from the audience: the 22 experts from eight countries were challenged. From today until April 13, hospitalityInside.com will summarise a new panel every Friday. Links to the web video are also available, so all talks can be viewed in word and picture. The links:
Berlin (March 2, 2012). The countdown for ITB Berlin 2012 is on. The participants of the hotel conference "ITB Hospitality Day" are getting ready to travel. Chanin Donavanik and his son Siradej are arriving from Thailand, Dieter Mueller and his son Daniel are coming from Munich. The sons have decided to participate in their fathers' businesses Dusit Hotels & Resorts and Motel One. This year's "CEO Panel" is dedicated to the "next generation". What motivates the young ones, how are they being prepared by their manager fathers? In a time, where the industry is desperately searching for young staff members, this will be a very fascinating panel.
Berlin (February 24, 2012). The demographic statistics have reliably forecasted it for many years: The service industries in particular will struggle with the lack of the younger generation. At the same time, the demands for a more academic, younger generation are piling up because the hotel industry is becoming increasingly more complicated. Hotels today can no longer be directed without knowledge of business economics. Nevertheless, is the young manager still to master the trade? All types of courses of studies simply spring from the ground. What is serious? And how can the industry ultimately inspire the young people? The statistics attest to the contrary here: A sort of "Mass Exodus" from the hotel industry. Well-known experts discuss this at the "ITB Hospitality Day" during ITB Berlin on March 8.
Berlin (February 17, 2012). The speed of acquisitions in the world of IT significantly increased last year. At the same time, search engines and social media like Google and Facebook keep advancing, implementing more and more new models. And finally, a breathtakingly increasing number of people are using their mobile device for making reservations and communication as well. Due to high costs, hoteliers promote their own website. But who will win this race? Just a few? Sales experts debate on the current developments in the field of hotel distribution at the 7th ITB Hospitality Day on Thursday, March 8, 2012 between 2 and 3 pm at ITB Berlin, hall 7.1b/London. HRS, Expedia, Sabre, and Justbook Mobile will meet. The question to them: Fewer providers with more power? What new dependencies have the latest market shifts produced?
Berlin (February 10, 2012). Political riots, crises, attacks. How do hotels protect their guests? This question has not only been posed since the "Arabian Spring". Hotels have already repeatedly been the target of attacks or served as the setting for determinant political talks. And so, the subject is not new for hoteliers, but it has gained another dimension. And the security aspect of hotels as well as from destinations will presumably influence reservations in the future. The discussion round under the title, "Security: When the Holiday Sinks into Chaos", will embrace a current topic at the 7th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin. The Marriott President, a Siemens expert and an Egyptian in discussion - on Thursday, the 8th of March, 2012, from 16.30 to 17.30.
Berlin (February 3, 2012). Brand chaos, distribution chaos, holiday chaos. The current development in the world of travels gives rise to many questions in the hotel industry – about the sense of multi brands, after power shifts in distribution, and security on holidays. The 7th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference of the world's largest tourism fair, will address these subjects on Thursday, March 8. In addition, the CEOs of Dusit Hotels and Motel One are present with their sons. The next generation talks. The "war of talents" is tough as another talk shows. For the seventh time, hospitalityInside.com is the exclusive media partner of the conference, and again, Editor-in-Chief Maria Pütz-Willems was able to attract experts and heads of leading international companies who, with their knowledge and experience in the industry, will point out possible approaches to solutions. Last year, 1,900 trade fair visitors joined the Hospitality Day. Starting from today, you will find up-to-date information and announcements about the ITB Hospitality Day – readable for everyone – on the homepage and under the "Network" button at www.hospitalityInside.com.
Berlin (January 13, 2012). The entire programme, only a mouse click away: The ITB Berlin Convention in 2012. Numerous panel discussions on topical issues such as the euro debt crisis, the booming cruise industry, sustainable fuels or the branding chaos in the hotel industry - the programme for the coventions of biggest tourism fair is growing. Also, the programme for the 7th ITB Hospitality Day is nearly fixed.
Berlin (December 9, 2011). While one is still searching for Christmas presents, the Messe Berlin is preparing once again for the next ITB. And with that, also for the hotel conference "ITB Hospitality Day" that hospitalityInside has reviewed regarding its content and has been an exclusive media partner since its start in 2006. Not all names are still certain, but a few highlights may already be revealed.
Berlin (April 29, 2011). Eastern Europe is so close and yet, is still a long way off: The hotel industry in Romania, Russia, Croatia and partially also Poland is struggling not only with a sluggish economic recovery after the financial crisis, but also with the often still decrepit tourist structures in the background. However, slow movement is returning to some master plans that were already put into play before the financial crisis. A discussion regarding "Hotel Markets in Eastern Europe - Real Perspective or a mirage?" illuminated the current challenges. With this report, hospitalityInside.com concludes the reporting on the ITB hotel conference 2011.
Berlin (April 22, 2011). What was even more sober than the result were the short explanations afterwards: Accor was the only international hotel chain that achieved a good result in the first ranking of Corporate Sustainability Responsibility (CSR) – the remaining big names were massively criticised by the analysts: Barcelo, Carlson, Hilton, Iberostar, InterContinental, Marriott, RIU, Sol Meliá and Starwood Hotels. The study, financed by European consumer protection associations and carried out by Leeds Metropolitan University, was introduced at the ITB hotel conference, the 2011 "ITB Hospitality Dayâ€.
Berlin (April 15, 2011). Evaluation portals, search engines and booking methods are being connected more strongly. The dynamics of this development results in questions – and a lot of criticism from hotel managers. They demand more transparency and fairness concerning the handling of the industry. In the talk "Social Media & Hotel Evaluation Platforms – Friends for Life?" at the "ITB Hospitality Day", top representatives of TripAdvisor, Google and HolidayCheck faced up to criticism. On the side of the hotel managers were: German Hotel Association and prizeotel. More than 500 visitors followed the discussion.
Berlin (April 8, 2011). Hotel categories and brand promises were yesterday; hotels of tomorrow must adjust even more sensitively to the guest types of the future than up to now. Aside from achieving a global overview, regional networks will also gain in importance. To which challenges the hotel must position itself in 2020 arises from a current study that was introduced at the 6th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin and was not absent of practical examples.
Berlin (April 1, 2011). Within the European hotel landscape, smaller family businesses still dominate. However, their destiny is a hot topic in view of the advancement of the hotel chain industry in the budget and middle classes. Branch representatives send an urgent reminder within the middle class for changes and innovation as well as early action regarding succession arrangements. With the 6th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference at the Berlin ITB, experts on the scene discussed the future of the family businesses under the title "The End for Mom-and-Pops?"
Berlin (March 25, 2011). Their companies were the result of a situation full of frustration, but it opened their eyes to the niche: the founders of the Malaysian Tune Hotels, A&O Hotels & Hostels in Berlin and hostelsclub.com, an online distribution platform from Venice, seized their chance. Within ten years, they have managed to play a strategic role in the hardly structured hostel and low budget hotel market. During the panel discussion titled “Low Budget Hotel & Hostels: A Good Night’s Sleep for Peanuts?” at the 6th ITB Hospitality Day at ITB Berlin two weeks ago, they explained the products and philosophies which have helped them establish themselves successfully worldwide. A summary.
Berlin (March 18, 2011). The speakers on the CEO panel at the 6th "ITB Hospitality Day" last week couldn't have been more different. Whilst Reto Wittwer, President and CEO of Kempinski Hotels & Resorts presented his skills as luxury hotel manager with clear emotion, Christian Windfuhr of Grand City explained the strategy of his company - with the core aim of increasing real estate values - with utmost objectivity. Both managers embody the very different approaches of their companies, which in turn reflect the two major models employed today by the hotel sector across the globe. Brand values or real estate investments: Wittwer and Windfuhr gave away some interesting details.
Berlin (February 25, 2011). Are they now friends for life? Or rather enemies? Social media and hotel review platforms are currently experiencing a hype. The hotel industry is looking more and more critically: Since both partners develop for the branch, they are not the best friend whom one can trust blindly. The speed at which TripAdvisor, HolidayCheck, Facebook and Google are currently developing and linking up can be absolutely frightening. Therefore, the discussion regarding Social Media & Hotel Review Platforms - Friends for Life?" during the ITB Hotel Conference at the "ITB Hospitality Day", on Thursday, 10 March, 2011 will certainly be one of the most interesting discussions altogether.
Berlin (February 18, 2011). Kempinski Hotels, the oldest hotel group in the world, has carried 64 hotels in 114 years and a legendary reputation. Grand City Hotels & Resorts has created 100 hotels within eight years - however, only a few know their name. Which growth is the more promising one? These questions will hopefully be answered by the CEOs of both hotel groups, Reto Wittwer and Christian Windfuhr, with the "CEO-Panel" at the "ITB Hospitality Day" on the Thursday, March 10, 2011. Before that, researchers will explain current study results regarding the CSR policies of chains and have a look at the hotel industry after 2020. The 6th ITB hotel conference has been organised and attended by hospitalityInside for the sixth time.
Berlin (February 11, 2011). This mainly concerns Western Europe: tens of thousands of hotels are looking for a successor. Because of this, even successful hotels are facing the "The End for Mom-and-Pops?". Or not? The question mark behind the title of the panel discussion at the "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin queries an unsuccessful transition. However, the panelists do not delude themselves: chain hotels are striving for secondary and tertiary destinations, mainly via franchise brands in the low-budget segment. German and Swiss hoteliers face this issue. The hotel conference at ITB Berlin will take place for the sixth time this year: again, hospitalityInside.com will be acting as the event’s media partner and will report about this discussion here afterwards.
Augsburg (February 4, 2011). Only a few years ago, almost all of Europe was regarded as "flourishing landscapes", a term that had primarily been used for the new German federal states. The financial and economic crisis brought many investors back down to earth and showed tourism professionals what competition really is. But what is the current perspective of the “hotel markets in Eastern Europe”. A panel discussion at the 6th ITB Hospitality Day will try to find out the current status showing opportunities and challenges. Hotel experts will discuss the situation in Poland, Croatia, Romania and Russia.
Berlin (January 28, 2011). The programme for the 6th "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, 10 March 2011 has been fixed: 28 managers from the international hotel industry will join the hotel conference at the world's biggest tourism fair. The spectrum of topics ranges from Eastern Europe to CSR and hotels of the future all the way to problems in succession, social media networks and the CEO panel. From today, hospitalityInside, media partner to the ITB Hospitality Day, will each week make a detailed presentation of the panels and their participants one by one. The discussion on the new trend between hostels and budget hotel will begin with an international panel. "Low Budget Hotels & Hostels: A Good Night's Sleep for Peanuts?" is the title of this session.
Berlin (December 24, 2010). 2010 has still not ended, but the participants at the 6th ITB Hospitality Day are already clear. On Thursday, 10 March 2010, the hotel conference of the world's largest tourist fair, the ITB Berlin, will again discuss the hottest topics: hotel markets in Eastern Europe, concepts and contradictions in the CSR activities of individual hotel groups, the problems faced by SMEs (small and midsized enterprises), the use of social media and hotel evaluation platforms and the hostel & low-budget trend. Of course, there will also be a CEO panel, this time with representatives from an organically grown hotel group and a rapidly growing real estate oriented group: Kempinski and Grand City Hotels. For the 6th time, hospitalityInside will be exclusive media partner of the ITB Hospitality Day and Editor in chief Maria Puetz-Willems will organise topics and participants on stage.
Berlin (April 23, 2010). Is it possible to satisfy individual needs as a bulk tour operator? Organisers of the "ITB Hospitality Day" 2010, the fifth hotel conference of the ITB, made a real effort to accommodate focus groups, but rarely came up with consistent, authentic solutions. As host, Professor of Tourism, Karl Born, from the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Harz, was able to entice some statements from tour operators.
Berlin (April 16, 2010). An app or application is the latest IT boost for both hoteliers and guests. But how soon should this technology be adapted, and what is the relation between costs and benefit for companies? The participants of the mobile devices panel at the 5th ITB Hospitality Day, the hotel conference at ITB Berlin, are all working with apps already. While they expect a bright future for them, they are cautious nonetheless.
Berlin (April 9, 2010). The direct link between the tourism industry and climate change is clear. However before looking at the ways in which hotels can mitigate or adapt to this change as introduced by moderator Dr Andreas Walmsley, Course Leader Responsible Tourism and Hospitality at the International Centre for Responsible Tourism at Leeds Metropolitan University, it is useful to put the effect of tourism on climate change into context. The discussion "Climate Change: How do Hotels have to Adapt their Products?" touched different topics, e.g. the direct effects, winners and losers, labelling and transparency.
Berlin (April 2, 2010). Whether China, India, South America or Europe: the pipeline of budget hotels is as international as ever. European providers conclude cross-continent joint ventures. In India, a national brand is storming the market. The panel round about the global budget hospitality at the fifth “ITB Hospitality Dayâ€, the ITB hotel conference, made experts take notice.
Berlin (March 26, 2010). When talking about innovation in almost any subject the immediate thought is to look at the influence of technology and within that broad term specifically the information technology revolution in which we live. Secondly, and especially in the physical world of the hotel environment, the effect of new designs, materials and building techniques would be considered of importance with respect to innovation. It is therefore with some credit and not a little bit of surprise that the panel discussing “Innovation: The prescription for bland hotels†at this year’s 5th "ITB Hospitality Day" during ITB Berlin barely touched on these topics preferring to focus more on the ‘software’ - the people that bring ideas to the business.
Berlin (March 19, 2010). One of them "discovered" Germany and the neighbouring countries as an ideal expansion field, the other one is concentrating again on this region. Nevertheless, David Fattal of Fattal Group/Leonardo Hotels, Tel Aviv/Berlin, and Wolfgang Neumann of Arabella Hospitality Group, Munich, have different motives. Both are managing hotel businesses, whose histories are firmly entwined with the real estate; however, their strategies are different in essential points. During the "CEO Panel" at the 5th "ITB Hospitality Day" last week in Berlin, host Maria Puetz-Willems and certified accountant Matthias Schroeder were able to obtain more details.
Berlin (March 5, 2010). The countdown to get a feeling for new trends has started: it's "ITB Hospitality Day" next Thursday, March 11, 2010. For the fifth time, Messe Berlin and its hotel media partner hospitalityInside extend an invitation to the hotel conference. Getting a feeling for trends is free for ITB visitors and does not require any reservations. "Top knowledge for free" - the slogan of this year's ITB Convention - should come true. One of the panels at the ITB Hospitality Day is about "The Prescription for Bland Hotels". Innovations are necessary when hotels have already reduced their costs to zero but still have to maintain their turnover and keep the guests happy.
Berlin (February 26, 2010). Budget hotel today, luxury tomorrow. A chic dinner today, extreme climbing tomorrow. Individualisation has long become a fixed part of tourism and the hotel industry. How do the marketers of mass tourism adapt to this? How individual are their products? The two travel giants TUI and Thomas Cook and Oeger Tours, the special tour operator, will take part in the initial discussion at the fifth ITB hotel conference, the "ITB Hospitality Day". On Thursday, March 11, 2010, trade fair visitors can listen to this panel at any time of the day as well as to five other discussions without registration – and take a glimpse at market trends.
Berlin (February 19, 2010). Everything revolves around the climate. What do hoteliers expect; how will they have to adapt their products to future scenarios near the Mediterranean, in the Alps, in Africa, or in Asia? Hopefully, the experts at the climate panel during the 5th hotel conference at ITB Berlin will find some answers. Thursday, March 11, 2010 is "Hospitality Day". This panel discussion starts at 3.30 p.m. hospitalityInside is the media partner of this conference and is looking forward to strong participation. Admission to all panel discussions of the Hospitality Day is free – registration is not necessary.
Berlin (February 12, 2010). What encourages hotel groups to continue to expand in Europe despite tight margins? And how do they judge other international markets? These are only two questions addressed by the "CEO Panel" at the fifth "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference at the world's biggest travel fair, the ITB in Berlin. On the podium will be: David Fattel, Founder and CEO of Leonardo Hotels from Tel Aviv and Wolfgang Neumann, CEO of Arabella Hospitality Group Munich. The "Hospitality Day" will take place on Thursday, 11 March 2010 and will encompass six talk rounds. The panel addressing the subject of "mobile devices" promises to be particularly interesting - a trend which will change the world of travel, many insiders believe. Details on "CEO Panel" and on "Mobile Devices".
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.
Berlin (January 29, 2010). The economic crisis, just like long-changing travel behaviour, is forcing the hotel industry to reinvent itself and become more innovative. This is reflected in the subjects chosen for the 5th "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference at the world's biggest tourism trade fair, the ITB in Berlin, which will take place between 10 and 14 March 2010. On ITB Thursday, 11 March, renowned experts and top managers from the international hotel industry will explain how the sector will approach new target groups, how it will develop new ideas to foster customer loyalty and how it will adapt to incorporate developments in technology and environment. A further highlight: the CEO panel. hospitalityInside is not only media partner to the event for the fifth time, Editor-in-Chief, Maria Puetz-Willems will again organise the day's contents and invite 25 competent speakers to attend.
Berlin (December 18, 2009). The record attendance of over 12,000 participants in 2009 proved that the "ITB Berlin Convention" was able to further extend its lead as the leading travel industry think tank. With the world's largest tourism fair as its backbone, the Convention has developed into an attractive platform for promoting dialogue in the international tourism sector. From 10 to 12 March 2010 more than 200 leading speakers and panel guests from science, politics and with practical experience will present topics and discuss the future of travel at around 100 events. Admission is free for all trade visitors. For the fifth time, also the hotel industry will have its own platform: Again, the "ITB Hospitality Day" picks up top topics, e.g. discussions about climate challenges, budget hotels, mobile devices and staff payments. A panel about innovation will create recipes against boring hotels, and the second CEO panel again makes top leader speak about their strategies. For the fifth time, hospitalityInside is media partner of the ITB Hospitality Day, and editor in chief Maria Puetz-Willems arranged the panels.
Berlin (May 1, 2009). Introduced and moderated by Ralf Grauel, author of "Brand Eins", a trends publication, this seminar session at the fourth "ITB Hospitality Day" focussed on attempting to define a relatively new customer to the hospitality sector, that of the eco-guest. Even in the current tough economic climate consumers are increasingly driven towards purchases that satisfy their particular understanding of sustainability. Hoteliers are reacting to this by the adoption environmentally sound business practices that conveniently enough often also make economic sense. Which is all well and good but defining this audience is not clear-cut.
Berlin (April 24, 2009). In the world of "shared ownership", there are many business models and ownership models, starting from timesharing and ending with condominiums. The most promising models for the hotel industry are "residences" that are able to generate strong synergies with (renowned) hotel brands. Residences are intended for people interested in real estate or lifestyle. People who do not follow this basic differentiation create a wrong concept of residences from the start. This was the conclusion of the highly interesting talk about residences during the fourth "ITB Hospitality Day" at the ITB Berlin.
Berlin (April 17, 2009). Although the large chains have revised their expansion plans, good members of staff are still highly sought after, even when salary increases are currently out of sight. Hotels with a strategic personnel plan have a competitive advantage. Yet there are obviously still too few of such strategically orientated businesses, as Thomas Kraft, Board Chairman of the consultancy company IFH Worldwide, made clear at this year's "ITB Hospitality Day" during ITB Berlin. He hosted an interactive discussion round entitled "Ask Mr X - on the subject of talent management."
Berlin (April 10, 2009). With which tidings of economic doom should one start? With the news that Ryanair recently considered implementing a WC charge on board its flights? Or with the announcement from the Association of German Travel Managment this week, that rapid recovery from the crisis isn't to be expected? At present, almost everyone is chipping in with his own grim news. All the more refreshing then, that the discussion "Reactions to the Recession" which took place at the ITB hotel conference, the "ITB Hospitality Day", didn't also fan the panic. Top managers from Accor, Falkensteiner, Choice and Treugast discussed the current situation and made pragmatic suggestions for listeners.
Berlin (April 3, 2009). Seminar sessions featuring the word "sustainable" are often poorly attended which accords to the green lip-service paid by the majority of us towards the topic. This was not the case in Berlin at the ITB Convention where about 500 people were entertained by the spectacle of blatant capitalism set against moderate environmentalism within the context of a session entitled 'Integrated Resorts. An evolution towards sustainability'. There were no dyed-in-the-wool environmental campaigners here.
Berlin (March 27, 2009). Nobody buried their heads in the sand at the "CEO Panel" on the occasion of the ITB Hospitality Day in Berlin. More moderate expansion plans were accompanied by the urge for greater closeness to the guests and less technology. According to the promises given by the heads of large chains, the brands will have better offers for guests in future. However, there will be a larger number of brands as well, as the heads of InterContinental, Marriott, Worldhotels and Jumeirah forecast unanimously.
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Berlin (March 20, 2009). Last week, 110,000 visitors attended the specialist visitor days of the 43rd ITB Berlin - 42 percent of these from outside Germany. Even the conferences, grouped together as "ITB Berlin Congress" recorded a 10 percent increase in participant numbers taking the total to 12,000 visitors (last year, 11,000). The "ITB Hospitality Day" organised by hospitalityInside.com which is jointly marketed with the ITB recorded an increase in visitor numbers. Over 1,120 friends and partners of the hotel industry attended discussions held on six panels - discussions by 28 participants from 12 countries - some of these coming exclusively to take part in a one hour talk round. Two short video films will soon be available online.
Berlin (March 6, 2009). The resort complex of Fleesensee in Germany is the approach to an "integrated resort". Ten years later, this term stands for mega resorts throughout the world. The newer projects, also in Europe, cost billions of Euros and interfere greatly with a region's structure. Is this still sustainable and compatible with environmental aspects? What do the investors have in mind concerning these resort models? The answers will be given at the hotel conference of the ITB, at the fourth "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 12. While this panel discussion is strongly concerned with planned projects, the members of the panel discussion "How to React to the Economic Downturn" are trying to understand the current situation and will give positive hints and ideas for everyday life. hospitalityInside.com is a media partner of the Hospitality Day and has organised the conference's agenda. ITB visitors can participate in these panel discussions free of charge and do not have to register for it.
Berlin (February 27, 2009). No more hotel finance without residences? That was certainly once true. In the current financial crisis, the importance of residences for hotels has, however, become more questionable. Yet many hotel groups still include "residences" in their strategy planning - a word with many meanings and business models. The finer details will be discussed by four experts during the discussion round "Residences: Advantage Hotel or Real Estate?" at the ITB Hotel Conference scheduled to take place on Thursday 12th March 2009 at 2.15 p.m. in Berlin. The event is open to all ITB guests. Prior registration is not required and attendance is free of charge. hospitalityInside.com is media partner for the ITB Hospitality Day.
Berlin (February 20, 2009). It will probably be difficult to draw the entire profile of the "eco guest". He is supposed to be financially strong; therefore, he is attractive for many tourism and hotel suppliers. The five participants of the respective panel discussion at the fourth "ITB Hospitality Day", the hotel conference at the world's largest ITB tourism fair in Berlin, are already working with this type of guest. The more exciting it is to know what they will tell us. "Who is the Eco Guest? Profile of a Future Customer" is the title of the opening panel at the ITB conference day, where all visitors to the fair can participate free of charge. hospitalityInside.com is media partner of the ITB Hospitality Day.
Berlin (February 13, 2009). For the first time, on March 12, 2009 at the "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin, a panel discussion will take place in which the audience defines the panel's content: on the subject of "Talent Management", professional visitors can ask questions. "Ask Mr. X" is the symbolic headline for this panel where two experts on human resources will try to give the right answers. hospitalityInside.com is media partner of the fourth ITB hotel conference and organises its content.
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Berlin (February 6, 2009). The ongoing world economic crisis is battering the markets in several different ways. And the question about the current situation will be among the first questions the four Chief Executive Officers (CEO) will have to answer at the discussion in the course of the 4th "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin. For the first time, top-notch hotel heads will gather at the ITB hotel conference on the panel to discuss markets, brands, people, real estate and IT for 90 minutes. hospitaltyInside.com will be acting as media partner at the ITB Hospitality Day, and Editor-in-Chief, Maria Puetz-Willems will have a discussion with Andrew Cosslett of InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Ed Fuller of Marriott International, Gerald Lawless of Jumeirah and Ted Teng of The Leading Hotels of the World. Gabriel Escarrer Jaume, CEO & Co-Vice Chairman Sol Meliá Hotels & Resorts, who was already invited, unfortunately withdrew his confirmation to come two days ago.
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Berlin (January 30, 2009). For the fourth time, ITB Berlin welcomes its guests to attend the "ITB Hospitality Day" and listen - complimentary - to top speakers and panelists. The content of the hotel conference at the world`s largest tourism fair is created by hospitalityInside.com, ITB Hospitality Day`s media partner right from the beginning. International experts discuss the profile of the future eco guests, they talk about residences and Integrated Resorts. For half an hour, experts will answer questions from the audience about "talent management". The highlight of the day will be the first CEO panel with the heads of the international hotel groups InterContinental, Marriott, Jumeirah, Sol Meliá and The Leading Hotels of the World. Here is a first overview. In the next weeks you will read more details about each panel.
Berlin (January 16, 2009). Messe Berlin is providing a full service travel package especially for those attending the "ITB Business Travel Days", offering real value for money.
Please find informations and articles about the ITB Hospitality Day 2009, taking place on Thursday, March 12, 2009 from 10:30 until 17:45 in Hall 7.1 b, Auditorium London, during the next couple of weeks on this site.
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Berlin (April 11, 2008). Nobody knows what the hotel and hotel room of the future will look like. However, attentiveness to the desires of guests has increased, and the same goes for the drastically rising energy costs forcing providers like hotel investors and operators to act. The future focus is clearly smart, hotel-integrated technology that provides an added value for guests, and building management whose challenge is no longer construction but handling. The discussion on how " industry and research can help to build an efficient hotel" attracted almost 300 guests at the 3rd ITB Hospitality Day during the ITB Berlin 2008. All in all, 1,100 visitors came to the five panel discussions at the hotel conference whose content was organised by hospitalityInside.com.
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Berlin (April 4, 2008). The term may be new but the idea behind it goes to the very heart of the accommodation industry. Only the focus need change. A talk round at the 3rd ITB Hospitality Day in Berlin was dedicated to "Service Design". How should service be designed in order to generate higher turnover for the hotel. A chain hotelier, a private hotelier, an academic and a hotel association representative had much to say.
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Berlin (March 28, 2008). It`s certain to be some time before banks and investors start to take qualitative factors into account when making their assessments of hotel properties with respect to financial decisions. In day-to-day business, so-called "soft factors" still play only a minor role, as the talk round on "value drivers in hotel property evaluation" during the 3rd ITB Hospitality Day in Berlin showed. An academic, two consultants and a hotelier discussed a question which is usually discussed only among smaller or internal circles.
Berlin ((March 21, 2008). The first panel discussion of the 3rd "ITB Hospitality Day" at the ITB 2008 was about "Travel behaviour of Asian guests". Apart from displaying great love for small details, tourists from Far East set great store by prestigious brands. German outlet centres as in Metzingen or event destinations like the Nuerburgring already benefit from that. Those who know about the demands of guests from Asia, mainly of the Chinese, will earn profits. This also affects hotel development of new brand destinations.
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| "Destination brand" (from left): Prof. Dr. Monika Echtermeyer, Expert for Outbound Tourism China, International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef; Dr. Walter Kafitz, Managing Director Nuerburgring GmbH; Wolfgang Bauer, CEO Holy AG/Outlet City Metzingen and Marcel Schneider, CEO TUI China Travel Co. Ltd. |
Berlin (March 14, 2008). "The ITB Berlin continues to grow. According to its exhibitors sales with a value of just under six billion euros were finalised at and around the ITB Berlin", according to Dr. Christian Goeke, COO of Messe Berlin. The leading trade show for the global travel industry not only included more exhibitors than ever before this year but also attracted more visitors over the past five days than it did last year, despite strikes and snow. Just under 40 per cent of the trade visitors came to the German capital from abroad. "The accompanying convention was an outstanding event with a record number of attendees and it continues to attract growing numbers of international decision makers, including many top executives. Once again the ITB Berlin has provided impressive proof of its position as a world leader in its field", Goeke continued. For the third ITB Hospitality Day, hospitalityInside.com again was a media partner and responsible for the contents of the hotel conference. With about 1,100 attendees the conference achieved a new record number.
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Berlin (March 14, 2008). Sustainability and ecologic concepts were the major topics at this year`s ITB. At the ITB Hospitality Day, representatives from the fields of research and renowned international tourism companies like Hilton, Emirates Hotels and Schloss Elmau explained their forward-looking strategies in terms of sustainability, backing up their statements with scientific findings. With more than 300 visitors this panel discussion (photo) was the most frequented one at this year`s ITB - a clear sign of the topicality of the issue.
Berlin (February 29, 2008). Next week the industry will convene at the largest tourism fair in the world in Berlin. hospitalityInside.com will also be there. The hotel industry will meet for the third time on Thursday from 10:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. in hall 7.1a, room New York 3, where the 3rd "ITB Hospitality Day" will take place. As in the previous years, hospitalityInside.com will again be responsible for the content of this hotel conference. 24 competent speakers will make contributions on 5 exciting topics. For the first time, the ITB Hospitality Day comes with a focal point with some more time for discussion: the "Hospitality Hot Spot". This year, it will take a close look at environmental protection concepts within the hotel industry. The program in detail.
Berlin (February 22, 2008). Exploding energy costs eat up the profits; the guests` expectations regarding technology and ambience are growing. How can a hotel free itself from this cost and service trap? A talk on the issue at the 3rd "ITB Hospitality DAY" on the ITB Thursday in Berlin is supposed to give answers. Two scientists, one hotelier and one interior designer will be discussing the subject. A hotel technology expert from the US will be the host. The title of the panel promises an exciting discussion related to practice as well: "Hotels under cost pressure - How do industry and research help build efficient hotels?"
Berlin (February 15, 2008). Guests always come back to their hotel - their loyalty and the turnover they generate are also decisive in the value of the real estate. Today, the value is also defined by so-called "soft factors" and no longer solely by matter-of-fact aspects such as location or investment. The talk on the issue "Value of Hotel Properties" enriches the third "ITB Hospitality Day" on the second day of the trade fair in Berlin.
Berlin (February 8, 2008). How can service be redefined to open up new revenue sources? At the "ITB Hospitality Day" in Berlin, the participants of the "Hotels und Service Design" ("Hotels and Service Design") panel discussion have some suggestions at hand. This will be the topic on Thursday, March 6, 2008, between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. in hall 7.1a, room "New York 3" at the third hotel conference of ITB, and the topic is not only restricted to the luxury segment. hospitalityInside.com will be acting as media partner of this event and is responsible for the content offered on this day.
Berlin (February 1, 2008). The Chinese are coming! We have heard this for years now, but not everyone in Europe is preoccupied with the preferences and travel behaviour of the visitors from the Far East. Accordingly, the package tourists from the emerging country have arranged their own travel routes in the meantime: shopping is on the agenda instead of sightseeing, shopping streets and noble brands instead of lakes and mountains. The 3rd "ITB Hospitality Day", the ITB hotel conference that takes place on Thursday, March 6, 2008, will be dedicated to this trend, which is also changing the tourist offers in these parts.
Berlin (January 25, 2008). ITB in Berlin, the largest tourism fair in the world, is starting its marketing campaign at full speed: from Wednesday, March 5, to Sunday, March 9, 2008, professional visitors will meet at the trade fair in Berlin to learn new details about current trends. In addition, the hotel industry will meet for the third time at the 3rd "Hospitality Day" in hall 7.1a, room New York 3. As in the previous years, hospitalityInside.com will again be responsible for the content of this hotel conference. Last year, it was among the three most frequented professional events of the ITB congress programme. For the first time, the ITB Hospitality Day comes with a focal point with some more time for discussion: the so-called "Hospitality Hot Spot". This year, it will take a close look at environmental protection concepts within the hotel industry. Every visitor of the ITB is welcome: admission is free and there is no advance booking.
Berlin (January 18, 2008). The outlook is exceptionally good for the ITB Berlin as final preparations are under way for an event which between 5 and 9 March will be taking place for the 42nd time. "Compared with 2006 the number of bookings at the ITB Berlin 2008 has remained consistently high," said ITB Senior Manager David Ruetz. The focus will be on the Dominican Republic. On Thursday, March 6, there will be the third "Hospitality Day", ITB's hotel conference for the international hotel industry, arranged by hospitalityInside.com.
Berlin (March 30, 2007). Werner Pauen, an expert in the field of hotel and external financing, has analysed the solvency rating factors of tourism and hotel companies. On the 2nd "ITB Hospitality Day" the former financial head of the Accor and Dorint hotel groups explained a diagnosis instrument which is to grant more transparency and security to tourism and hotel companies as well as to financing partners. An interview and his presentation for downloading.
Berlin (March 16, 2007). The second "ITB Hospitality Day" was among the top conferences of this year's International Tourism Fair (ITB) in Berlin. Over 1,000 participants spread across six panels were counted by trade fair officials at the ITB on Thursday; last year the figure stood at 850. hospitalityInside.com, content organiser and host, summarises the individual topics discussed in the talk rounds. In the coming weeks we will return to the issues discussed and build upon their contents.
Berlin (March 2, 2007). The solvency of hotel and tourism undertakings is more often the subject of rumour than of fact. A thirty minute lecture at the 2nd "Hospitality Day" at the ITB in Berlin next week looks at the evaluation of company solvency. Werner Pauen, former Finance Chairman of hotel chains, will explain his approach to the issue.
Berlin (February 23, 2007). Budget airlines have revolutionised travel trends and climate change will do the same. When with the ice the appeal of the Alps melts, will more travellers head for the Mediterranean? Low airfares are one argument strongly in support of such a prediction, the attempts of the Alp resorts, on the other hand, another against. Will the huge wholly interchangeable hotels on the coast now have to step back and reconsider their business plan? Top competition is no longer a rare commodity - especially from Asia. The opening discussions at the second ITB Hospitality Day on Thursday 8 March will show just how strongly the hotels and the destination depend on one another.
Berlin (February 23, 2007). With the "Travel Hall of Fame", the Travel Industry Club and the ITB - as the world's leading tourism fair - honour in typical American style all those who have done special service to the global travel industry and tourism. The "Travel Hall of Fame" is not, however, reserved exclusively for industrialists, who in the past have left a lasting mark on the branch, but also honours entrepreneurial services from those who are still very much active today.
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Augsburg (February 9, 2007). Many of the world's hotel markets have become saturated and hotels interchangeable. Now the industry is concentrating on its "software", that is, the staff. Boom markets such as Dubai are draining staff from other continents and in Europe poor wages and an even poorer image are forcing the next generation into other branches of industry. So what do today's hotels do for their staff? How are they motivating them and how are they negotiating through such times of chronic staff shortages? Those at the top of human resources in large chains and representatives from the universities will discuss the subject at the second hotel congress at the ITB, the "Hospitality Day" set for Thursday, 8 March.
Augsburg (February 2, 2007). Chanel needs to sound, Lego needs to taste and the i-pod needs to smell. The industry is working on multi-sensory brands and now, the first hotel chains are following suit. Westin Hotels, for example, will smell like white tea with geraniums and freesias, and "signature music" will accompany its guests around the globe. Brands are developing a personality by addressing all senses of their customers. How do you manage this? A question to be solved during a discussion at ITB's second "Hospitality Day" on 8 March in Berlin. The panellists are hoteliers, brand creators from the industry and inventors of multisensoric images. hospitalityInside.com will be the media partner of the ITB hotel conference for the second time.
Augsburg/Berlin (January 26, 2007). The most recent review of online hotel evaluation portals even disillusioned Stiftung Warentest (German consumer organisation) last week. Just a single portal convinced the reviewers. Despite this, the fact of the matter is: More and more companies are letting their customers and guests participate in the internet talk animating them to express their opinion. Hotels are increasingly the focus of online evaluations. Will the classic hotel stars fade away? Will laypersons assume the role of professional evaluators? The second "ITB Hospitality Day" on Thursday, March 8, 2007, will bring some transparency to this new dimension. It will bring together performers, critics and those affected onto the stage. hospitalityInside.com will be the media partner of the ITB hotel conference for the second time.
Berlin, 15 December 2006. Attention will focus on trends and innovations for the hotel trade on 8 March 2007 at the ITB Berlin. As part of its ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations the world's leading travel trade show is staging an all-day Hospitality Day that will follow on from last year's success. The programme comprises various innovative strategies, marketing and concepts. This event is free of charge and takes place from 10.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be chaired by Maria Pütz-Willems, editor in chief of the online trade magazine hospitalityInside.com.
Berlin (March 17, 2006). The first hotel congress at the International Tourism Exchange (ITB) in Berlin met with the positive response hoped for. Last week, on Thursday, hundreds of visitors found their way to hall 7.1a, where high-class speakers, such as the easyHotel founder Stelios from London (photo), discussed pricing, energy, luxury, budget and Berlin.
Berlin (February 10, 2006). Berlin is swamped with hotel beds and masses of tourists. A paradoxical situation. Other metropolitan cities like London or Paris are booming. There the guests pays a triple price for a night. International hoteliers will discuss the differences between the markets during ITB. It's one focus of ITB's first hotel conference "Hospitality Day".
Berlin (February 24, 2006). The first hotel conference of this year's ITB, the Hospitality Day, is to begin with one of the hottest topics in the hotel industry: energy costs. Representatives from the world of politics, industry and the hospitality sector will describe the problems and set out the alternatives.
Berlin (February 17, 2006). Throughout the world the hospitality sector is facing new challenges. The ITB Berlin has responded to this trend by organising the first all-day Hospitality Day at the ITB Convention Market Trends & Innovations. On 9 March the Hospitality Day will focus on innovative strategies, marketing, concepts and technology. This event will be held from 10.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and admission is free. It will be chaired by Maria Puetz-Willems, Editor-in-Chief of hospitalityInside.com.
Berlin (January 20, 2006). At the third ITB Congress Market Trends & Innovations (MTI) which takes place from 8 to 12 March 2006 the "Hospitality Day" will make its debut. hospitalityInside.com is the media partner for ITB's first hotel conference and co-organising the conference.
Berlin (January 13, 2006). Messe Berlin is expecting over 6,000 trade visitors from all over the world at the third ITB Congress Market Trends & Innovations (MTI) which takes place from 8 to 12 March 2006. Making their debut at the MTI Congress 2006 will be "Marketing & Sales Day" and the "Hospitality Day", ITB's first hotel conference during the fair. hospitalityInside.com will be the media partner.
