Turnover, occupancy and average room rate up in 2012, environmental commitments significantly expanded, numerous investments amounting to an eight-figure sum.
BAD SALZUFLEN / BERLIN, GERMANY – Despite a difficult economic market context, Maritim‘s revenues once again improved in 2012. Total turnover in 2012 amounted to 457.5 million euros, an increase of 10.3 million euros over the previous year. The average occupancy rate of 56.6 per cent stood 0.9 percentage points higher than in 2011. In parallel, the average room rate for the previous year of euro 88.23 rose to euro 88.76. These two factors explain the corresponding rise in RevPAR from euro 49.14 (2011) to euro 50.24 in 2012.
A look back at 2012
In the face of considerable competitive pressure, Maritim was again able to add value in the key areas of business and individual travel, thus contributing to the increase in turnover. Furthermore, 2012 saw the widespread application of the highly controversial bed tax. This resulted in two main disadvantages for the hotel industry: first, confusion among guests, as only business travellers are exempt from this tax, and only on submission of proof. Second, this tourist tax significantly increases the administrative burden.
Environmental commitments
In the summer of 2012, Maritim launched “PRO Umwelt” – an initiative designed to promote sustainable management. It involved an inventory of all our hotels in the areas of energy, waste, water, purchasing, and employee mobility. Maritim is the only German hotel company to date to train staff throughout its hotels as sustainability advisers and has thus played a pioneering role in introducing eco-project groups in all its hotels. In late January 2013, as a premium partner of the German Convention Bureau (GCB), Maritim also signed a declaration of support for the German Sustainability Code.
A wide range of investments
As a consequence of the reduction in VAT, numerous investments were made throughout the 37 German hotels. Several hotels have benefited from the investment of tens of millions of euros: from the city hotels in Munich, Frankfurt, Darmstadt and Cologne to the holiday resorts in Bad Wildungen, Travemunde and Bad Homburg. The extensive renovations in the Maritim Hotels in Darmstadt, Munich and Bad Homburg are worthy of particular note. In these hotels, almost all the rooms, some of the restaurant facilities and other public areas were given a thorough overhaul. Renovation work will continue or reach completion in these three hotels in 2013.
Expansion abroad
Maritim currently operates two hotels in China: the Maritim Hotel Wuhu (four hours’ drive from Shanghai) and the 5-star Maritim Hotel Shenyang. The city of Shenyang, with over a million inhabitants, is located in the rising economic region of Yuhong and is considered the cultural and economic powerhouse of north-eastern China. The summer of 2013 will see the opening of a third hotel in China – the Maritim Hotel Changzhou – already in the pre-opening phase. Further hotel openings in China are planned for the coming years.
Outlook for 2013
Maritim currently operates 49 hotels, including 12 abroad, and expects economic development to remain stable. Furthermore, the company assumes that the change in the GEMA fees will have a positive impact on the hotel industry. Under these conditions, the company expects turnover to continue to increase slightly in 2013. International expansion will play an important part in company strategy in the coming years, with the addition of five hotels to the portfolio. CEO Gerd Prochaska assesses the year 2013 in the following terms: “Given the occasionally unpredictable economic developments in recent years, it is never easy to make a prognosis. Nevertheless, we look confidently to the future and continue to bank on a stable economic situation. We will respond to any major changes with flexibility and creativity.”
The Maritim Hotelgesellschaft is Germany’s leading hotel group and the company’s nationwide hotel network is complemented by hotels in seven countries overseas: Mauritius, Egypt, Turkey, Malta, Spain, China and Latvia. The group’s ongoing expansion continues to strengthen its position within the European first-class hotel industry.
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She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication & Mass Media from Panteion University of Political & Social Studies of Athens and she has been editor and editor-in-chief in various economic magazines and newspapers.
