Since 2003, German hotels witness a decline in the tourist influx, which is reflected in the decline of the room occupancy and hotel rates. The reasons for it are many, and the major reason is neither the German hotels' low quality nor unprofessional personnel. The weak German domestic economy, the war in Iraq, terror acts in the United States and the impact of SARS have together influenced on the German hotel industry. In addition, the domestic German economy has continued to decline throughout 2003-2004; hence, German hotels have long under performed its European counterparts. Overall, the domestic German economy sees a slight improvement today, but closely dependant on macro-economic changes, it shows differences that are not so much significant.
However, the situation did not concern very much major German hotels that continue delivering high quality services and accommodation to their numerous visitors. These are hotels in German holiday regions and luxury hotels and resorts that have strong marketing strategies as well as highly competitive world-class profiles.
The Dorint Group is one of the leading German hotel chains in the international market. Today, the chain operates more than ninety five units with about eighteen thousand rooms in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic. Since the beginning of 2003, marketing for the Dorint Hotels & Resorts has been conducted through the worldwide network of Accor. Accor has about four thousand hotels in ninety countries, ranging in category from economy to deluxe. Each Dorint hotel has been assigned a new name and a new spot on the Accor website.
The Maritim Hotels, other significant players among countless German hotels, even have managed to improve their results regardless the weak national economic situation. In 2004, its total turnover was three hundred and thirty million Euros, five million Euros above the previous year's figure (three hundred and twenty five million Euros). Currently, Maritim operates forty three hotels, where eight facilities are outside Germany, and has a stable position of being the second-largest hotel company. The occupancy of hotels during the same year was increased from fifty four percent up to fifty six point seven percent.
In addition, the Maritim Hotels aim at the further extensive national and international expansion. In Germany, the Maritim hotels spread over many significant locations. In 2005, a new facility was opened in Berlin, located next to embassies, government buildings and cultural attractions of the city. With five hundred and five rooms and meeting and convention facilities, catering up to five point five hundred guests, the Maritim Hotel becomes the largest convention center in Berlin. This year, the Maritim Hotels plan to open a new facility in Drezden. It will be a four-star hotel, housed in a beautiful historic building next to the International Congress Center Drezden already operated by Maritim. The new Maritim Hotel is also to be opened in Düsseldorf in winter 2007.
The Maritim's international presence is developed through running a hotel on Bali (one hundred and ninety one rooms), two hotels in Tunisia (Djerba three hundred and forty rooms, Hammamet one hundred and eighty four rooms) and one in Turkey (Belek four hundred and eight rooms) under a cooperation agreement with the HMS International Hotel GmbH. Hence, the situation of German hotel industry is not as bad as it is painted. Its leaders never stop showing high national and international standards in the development of the global hospitality industry.