by editorial office, bf

Millennium Hilton Bangkok was accorded three highly coveted awards – ‘HAPA Thailand Best Business Hotel’, ‘HAPA Thailand Service Excellence’ and the ‘HAPA Thailand General Manager of the Year’ at the Hospitality Asia Platinum Awards (HAPA) 2008 – 2010. The annual HAPA awards are dedicated to recognising people and establishments who have shown drive, dedication and passion for the hospitality industry.

by editorial office, chd

It’s getting serious: This Friday, the Federal Assembly will be making a decision. Backed by the Federal States of Baden-Württemberg, Saarland and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Bavaria is looking to implement a resolution (PDF download of the proposition here) to cut the value added tax on the hospitality industry. Accordingly, the federal directorate of the Dehoga association has raised the political pressure from its “Pro 7%“ campaign, including the nationwide day of action last week, which, according to recent figures, was attended by around 7,000 entrepreneurs from the hotel and hospitality industries.

by editorial office, cc

When thinking of Belgrade, one will imagine the juncture of the rivers Danube and Save, the monumental fortress of Kalemegdan, the shopping strip of Knez Mihailova, or a bustling, modern city in general. But there is more to the Balkan metropolis: More than a sixth of the city is covered with greenery – there are numerous parks and public green spaces for relaxing and resting the mind. Realizing this, tourism promoters have issued a new brochure called “Green Belgrade”. It is available in English at the Tourist Organization of Belgrade via e-mail at office@tob.co.yu.

by editorial office, chd

Hotel TV as source of industry debate: No television format has ever raised such heated discussion about the hotel industry. As „Hotel Inspector“, Heinz Horrmann, international hotel critic from Berlin and publisher of travel publications, is the focal point of the quite emotional discussions on service standards, test criteria, industry use and fouling one’s own nest. The new series on RTL, which recently achieved the top results of the day with a 17 percent market share (episode on Hotel Les Nations Berlin), had its biggest boost from a recommendation by federal association Dehoga – never officially confirmed, but reported by a reliable source – to better not apply for the TV examination.

An ambitious marketing plan, to stimulate both inbound and outbound markets with attractive promotional packages to bring MICE travelers to Thailand – estimated revenue for 2009: >Baht 40 billion

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is moving fast to implement five new strategies to revive and stimulate Thailand’s MICE industry in 2009. As part of its highly integrated marketing and PR strategy, and a substantial injection of government funds to support special promotional packages, TCEB has brought together the public and private sectors to work together to address the challenges facing the MICE sector.

by editorial office, ch, tophotel

Severe crises were overcome, and the present difficulties, too, will do no harm to Kempinski Hotel Atlantic on the Außenalster pond in Hamburg, now 100 years in operation. The honorable establishment had its grand opening on May 02, 1909, and its 250 rooms were fully booked shortly after. Big times and names are linked with the establishment, which was fundamentally influenced by legends of the hotel business, such as Oscar H. Geyer (General Manager from 1932 to 68) and Karl T. Walterspiel (1986-1995).