by editorial office, ch

After the strepitous separation from Kempinski, the new management of Grand Hotel Heiligendamm is seeking to get a handle on the economic situation as swiftly as possible. The target is sustainable profits within two years, hotel manager Martin Smura was cited in „Hamburger Abendblatt“. With the exception of the year 2007 (G8 Summit), the 346-room property has been recording losses since its opening six years ago.

Germany’s second-largest air carrier, Air Berlin, is off to a good start of the new year. In January 2009, the company was able to achieve a two-digit increase in yield per available seat kilometer as compared to the same month in 2008: from 4.06 to 4.99 euro cents (+23 percent). The fleet’s capacity utilization improved by 0.3 percentage points to reach 69.4 percent (2008: 69.1 percent). The capacity was lowered by 4.9 percent, while the number of passengers decreased by only 4.5 percent from 1,781,556 to 1,701,780.

Air transportation in Germany is not safe from the current economic crisis. The Federal Association of German Air Carriers (BDF) confirmed in an industry event that both, earnings from cargo transportation and the number of passengers have declined significantly in early 2009.

„At the moment, we are facing two-digit declines in demand for both, cargo and passenger transportation“, said President of BDF, Ralf Teckentrup. The air transportation industry is facing a very difficult year, with the airlines reacting with capacity adjustments and even leaving aircraft on the ground.

Travel Charme Hotels & Resorts are launching a new dietary concept: “Where does the meat come from? How were the fish caught? Was the breakfast egg laid by a free-range hen?” – these are questions posed by health-conscious guests, gladly and expertly answered by Travel Charme. After all, the hotel group is now adding a new dietary concept to its culinary range, soon to be offered by the brand name of “GreenGusto”. The concept is to be first implemented at Travel Charme Strandidyll Heringsdorf on Usedom Island.

by editorial office, BDF, aero.de

Germany must put an end to the sectionalism in regards to airport planning. This is the conclusion of Dr. Michael Engel, Managing Director of the Federal Association of German Air Carriers (BDF). In a guest comment, Dr. Engel comments on the recent developments in the German landscape of regional airports:

Germany is the leading national economy in Europe, as well as a major tourism location. The way Germany handles its resources for a segment as important as air travel, however, makes it anything but a role model for the rest of the world. This was made very clear by the bickering over Hahn airport and its client Ryanair.

Reliable barometer for the economic situation in the industry – ITB Berlin confirms its position as leading global travel trade fair – new records in participation also expected for ITB Berlin Convention

Fully booked, and with waitlists for various exhibition halls: ITB Berlin impressively confirms its role as leading global travel trade fair. For the period between March 11 and 15, 2009, the trade fair organizers expect around 11,000 companies and organizations from more than 180 countries to exhibit inside the 26 halls near the Berlin Funkturm.