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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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 Day”, the ITB hotel conference, made experts take notice. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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". [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]

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. [ weiter ... ]