Hospitality for Insiders

Back to reality

Dear Insider,

The Iran conflict is leaving its mark every day, all over the world. MIPIM in Cannes was noticeably quieter than usual, and the Arabian Travel Market (essentially the Arab equivalent of ITB) has been rescheduled from May to October. We are keen to see how many investors, operators and other hospitality stakeholders will be attending the IHIF investment forum in Berlin from Monday. We report.

Today: Beatrix Boutonnet describes the "new" real estate sector – one that is returning to reality and discovering new opportunities: Standard financing options are a thing of the past, but there are new alternatives. The yachts in Cannes are also adjusting to the reality: They’ve become smaller, there are fewer parties, and people are being more cautious again. Amazing: Germany and the hotel asset class were viewed thoroughly positively.

The new brand Nook aims to establish itself as a "non-hotel" through crowdfunding: This is a spiritual place for like-minded people, for social gatherings and off-site events. The similarity to the former Selina concept for digital nomads is no coincidence. Behind this are German hotel chains, hostels and co-living hoteliers. ... More

Magazine

HI+Properties back to reality

MIPIM 2026: The real estate sector is changing - German hotel market positive

Anyone travelling to Cannes for the MIPIM this March soon noticed: The property sector is at a turning point, and not just because of the many geopolitical tensions. Germany and the hotel asset class were viewed quite positively in this context.

HI+Could we do better? Absolutely

Satya Anand is leaving Europe to take up a new role in Marriott's largest region

Satya Anand is one of the quiet, unassuming executives at the world's largest hotel chain, Marriott International. Originally from India, he now considers himself European and, on 28 March, will take charge of Marriott’s largest region, the Americas. Time to look back. As always, quiet, not loud.

HI+The new non-hotel

The Nook Spirit: a space for like-minded people, social gatherings and off-sites

With Nook, a new type of accommodation for corporate retreats and community-focused concepts has established itself in the Berlin area, and its founders now have their sights set on bigger things. The venture brings together a team of former hoteliers from chain hotels, co-living spaces and hostels. They are securing funding through alternative channels.

HI+Cash flow is king

New rules in hotel financing: Operators in focus

Capital discipline is the new buzzword. Until now, speed was more important to the hotel industry than profitability. That's over now. The hotel market is once again in a phase of structural realignment. The pressure from the market is great. Operators are the focus of the credit check.

HI+Kempinski’s strange strategy

The Spanish hotel group Barceló has signed a distribution deal with Kempinski Hotels, but only for certain properties within the Kempinski portfolio. There is a strange strategy behind this restriction.

HI+Hilton snaps up Yotel – and wants more

The brand-new agreement between Hilton and Yotel is exclusive – and the first step towards a platform that will eventually welcome other lifestyle brands and independent hotels.

HI+Hotel values remain flat across Europe

European hotel values experienced the most modest increase in value in 2025 since the pandemic, although rates and occupancy increased slightly. Nevertheless, investor confidence remains robust. Two property consultancy firms with the latest figures for Europe.

HI+EU decision: Business trips are not package holidays

The European Parliament has decided that business trips do not fall under the EU Package Travel Directive. This means that the consumer protection rules for package holidays do not apply to business trips.

HI+By ship or plane and preferably far away

A recent data collection provides a comprehensive overview of the development of the German travel industry over the past year. Cruises and long-haul travel are becoming increasingly popular.

HI+News Mix from 20.3.2026

1912/Ahlbeck, Adagio/Lille, BWH/Hotelzahl, Choice/Zator, Color Holiday/Minervino, Dorint/Düsseldorf, Egnazia Ospitalità Italiana/Sismano di Avigliano Umbro, Grand Hotel San Pellegrino Terme/Bergamo, Hilton/Genoa, Hyatt/London, IHG/Garner, Maison Cailler/Broc, Mandarin Oriental/Paris, Minor/Berlin, Motel One/Hamburg, Motorworld/Böblingen, Mountain Resort/Mittenwald, Ostello Bello/Bologna, Relais & Châteaux/addition, Schlatt/Klostergut Paradies, Smy/Palermo, Swot/Mykonos, Tuscany/Chiappini

HI+VIP News from 20.3.2026

Leif Vase Larsen, Christoph Debus / Jens Dünnebacke / Philippe Seefeld / Kai Jansen / Marek Rausch / Mario Bratović / Florian Schweizer

HI+Iran conflict: Consequences for tourism are already massive

The ongoing Iran conflict is having a widespread impact on tourism, from the Middle East to Switzerland and Southeast Asia. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the affected Arab region will lose around 600 million dollars in revenue per day this year. Hotel prices are falling dramatically.

HI+MIPIM 2026: glitz, glamour and the sudden ESG "S"

This year, MIPIM in Cannes was overshadowed not only by the war in Ukraine, but also by the massive and unpredictable escalations in the Middle East and their consequences.

HI+First hotel bookings via the ChatGPT hotel app

The first hotel booking is now being made directly via ChatGPT – via an app. The AI-powered system is encouraging hotels to establish a direct connection with travellers in the AI search results. And Hilton is currently working on its own AI planner.

HI+Wyndham & Co: How does AI drive long-term returns?

Owners, investors and developers welcome AI, but increasingly need guidance on how to translate its use into long-term returns. Wyndham has been testing the waters.

HospitalityInside Think Tank HITT

Sustainability and technology hand in hand

With so much hostile noise about sustainability and extraordinary claims about technology the 2026 HospitalityInside Think Tank is a perfect opportunity to check the temperature in the market. A rarity indeed in our increasingly polarised world. The HITT program is here! Register, join us and boost performance in your company. On 11/12 May in Brussels.

Understanding resources, linking them to innovation

Gut feeling is no longer a resilience strategy; numbers count – networked data. And experience, best practices. The HospitalityInside Think Tank 2026 examines how technology and innovation are fundamentally recalibrating the operational performance of hotels and reducing real estate risks. The first three catalysts are here: Misa Labarile from the EU Commission, Nicolas Guichard from the Japanese architecture firm KKAA and Marc Zornes from Winnow in the USA.

"Driving Performance in a Disrupted World"

The 9th HospitalityInside Think Tank will take place on May 11/12, for the second time in Brussels. Delve deeper into the chances of success for sustainable resources in these difficult times! This drives performance. Best practice proves it. Top-class experts will analyse supply, architecture & design, food waste, robots & managers with you. And experience live in the group what your AI profile looks like and how AI guides you to an early warning system. The registration form is ready.

Plenty of room for creativity and explosive ideas

Sustainability is when trekking tourists install solar panels in the mountains. Innovation is when a tool is intelligently combined with the human factor. A new team of moderators will shape the 8th HospitalityInside Think Tank: Prof. Graham Miller and Prof. Alexander Schmidt. In May in Brussels.

Content Partner

Right on trend: recycled plastics

JUNG supplies sustainable building technology for hotels

20.3.2026

Sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in the hotel industry – from construction methods to the materials used in interiors. Resource-efficient solutions are also coming increasingly into focus in building services. JUNG demonstrates how sustainable material concepts can be combined with durable design and modern technology.

QR "Vordenker" Award for Atlantic Grand Hotel Bremen

Innovative strategies in the areas of sales, sustainability, guest and employee enthusiasm are the levers for increasing hotel profits in the future.

Valamar sets eyes on European expansion

Croatia's leading hospitality company Valamar Riviera is ready to expand in Europe – and is looking to partner with hospitality investors and owners in premier Alpine and Adriatic destinations, offering competitive leases and a full range of hospitality management services.

Valamar sets eyes on European expansion

JUNG at the Green Hospitality Conference 2026

Sustainability has become a key success factor in hotel and apartment construction. And JUNG is putting it into practice. For over 110 years, the German company has been known for pioneering product developments in the fields of lighting, shading, climate control, energy, security, and multimedia. Now JUNG is presenting itself at the first Green Hospitality Conference 2026.

News Mix overview

HI+News Mix from 20.3.2026

HI+News Mix from 13.3.2026

Accor/Troisdorf, Aethos Milan/Milan, Africa/Pipeline, Amstel 111/Amsterdam, Apex Alliance/Orio al Serio, Baglioni Hotels/Forte dei Marmi, B&B/Mittenwald, Como/Saint-Tropez, Companion Hospitality Group/Vienna, Dormero/Stralsund, Garibaldi/Ostuni, Hyatt/Lisbon, Koncept Hotels/Gut Panker, LyvInn/Frankfurt, Minor/Córdoba, Nena/KanAm, RBB/Berlin, Savills/Eastdil, Schloss Meseberg/closure, Toscana Resort Castelfalfi/Montaione, Xenia Hôtellerie Solution/Viterbo

HI+News Mix from 6.3.2026

753 Hospitality/Lecco, Aareal Bank/hotels, Accor/Milano, a&o/Berlin, Belvilla/New York, Club del Sole/Lake Garda, Conrad/Rome, Dajia Insurance Group/New York, ECE Work & Live/name change, Elbtower/Hamburg, GHA/Japan, Grupo Empresas Matutes/Ibiza, Hilton/New York, Kerzner/Eastern Cape, Limehome/Pipeline, LVG Hotel Collection/Alassio, Maritim/Revenue, Marriott/Pipeline, Minor/Accra, Oku/Bodrum, RoomOO/Rome, Scandic/Oslo, Six Senses/Dubai, Staycity/Munich

HI+News Mix from 27.2.2026

Accor/Rimini, Amàre Hotels/Novo Sancti Petr, Aries/Milan, Barceló/Casablanca, Best Place Invest/Berlin, b_smart hospitality/Neuchâtel, B&B/Piacenza, Cavallino Bianco/Caorle, Centralis/Munich, COTP/Hanover, Europa-Park/Rust, Evolution Investment Fund/London, Falkensteiner/Vals, GCH/Fürth, JHSF/Milan, Marriott/Gaydon, Motel One/Frankfurt, Primestar/June Six Salzburg, R2/Fuerteventura, Ruby/Cork, R&S Immobilienmanagement/Munich, Selektion Deutscher Luxushotels/Munich, Villa Viva/Hamburg

Marketplace

Highest number of restaurant bankruptcies since 2011

20.3.2026

More than 11,000 bankruptcies in six years: The crisis in the German restaurant industry is worsening. Many people are cutting back on dining out. A quick recovery is not in sight.

No climate protection means higher national debt

13.3.2026

The consequences of climate change come at a cost. Without additional investment in climate protection, Germany faces the prospect of much higher national debt than previously expected by 2050.

Scandic drives climate action

13.3.2026

Scandic has further elevated its climate ambitions now that its climate targets have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company's long-term goal is to reach net-zero emissions across the entire value chain by 2050.

Germans seek culture and nature on holiday

6.3.2026

Germans are travelling differently. New analysis on outbound demand shows they increasingly prioritise destinations that blend cultural heritage, natural beauty, and authentic local experiences. Europe remains the focus, with rising costs determining travel behaviour.

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Financial Results

Positive development at Legacy-Deutsche Hospitality

H World Group Q4 / FY 2025: The Chinese Group highlights continued momentum in network expansion, asset-light transformation, profitability and loyalty engagement. It also delivers figures of Legacy-Deutsche Hospitality.

Luxury is the driving force

Meliá Hotels Int. FY 2025: Premium and luxury now account for 63% of the current portfolio and 78% of the pipeline. In distribution, the Company kept strengthening its direct channels.

Revo insolvency leaves its mark

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Q4 and FY 2025: The company closes the year with a FY net income decrease. This reflects among others the insolvency proceedings of Revo Hospitality from Germany.

Medium-term growth ambitions confirmed

Accor Q4 and FY 2025: In a disrupted macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, the Group demonstrated once again its ability to deliver results in line with the medium-term growth ambitions announced in June 2023.

Driven by international rooms

Choice Hotels Int. FY 2025: The global lodging franchisor delivered another year of record profitability in 2025, driven by double-digit increase in international rooms, and continued leadership in the extended-stay segment.

Promising start into 2026

Scandic Q4 and FY 2025: The 2025 report underlines good organic growth, solid results, and good booking situation.

IHCL expands its brandscape

IHCL Q3 and 9 months 2025: The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) reported its consolidated financials for third quarter which marks the 15. consecutive record quarter.

Balance sheets
at a glance

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Picked

This is how (un)free the internet is

State control instead of unrestricted access to the World Wide Web: that is the reality in many countries. A recent infographic shows the state of internet freedom worldwide.

Protecting Adriatic dolphins: Reporting via app

Anyone who spots dolphins off the coast of Croatia can provide valuable data for research with just a few clicks. By following animal-friendly guidelines during a sighting, you can actively contribute to the protection of the endangered bottlenose dolphins.

New AI trees in Munich

Defying climate change, more greenery for the city - that's what Munich wants. But the cost of the "AI trees" is enormous. An initial appeal for donations raised 70,000 euros, which was enough for one tree. What an expert is planning now.

Rosewood pays parental leave worldwide

The luxury hotel group Rosewood is introducing a global parental leave policy and will pay for at least 16 weeks.

MORE PICKED

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