Croatia-based hotel group Arena Hospitality Group d.d.¸ through its local subsidiary has successfully completed the acquisition of Hotel 88 Rooms in Belgrade. The transaction value amounted to €5.95 million (HRK 45 million).

A survey prepared by Cushman & Wakefield in partnership with FIHR, targeting Romanian hoteliers, was launched in November 2020 to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Romanian hotel industry and their perspectives on the outlook of this sector. This survey is the second instalment after a previous questionnaire that was launched in April 2020. The intention is to gain the appropriate attention and appeal to authorities for more meaningful and targeted support towards our hospitality sector. Cushman & Wakefield and FIHR remain committed to ensuring that the industry receives appropriate support by collecting and analysing available data and appealing to authorities.

Delta Real Estate has secured the resources and the technical documentation for the construction of the Delta Center business complex in New Belgrade. The complex will include the 26,000 sqm Hotel InterContinental Beograd, in addition to 26,000 sqm of office space. The project will also include an exclusive shopping area and restaurants, as well as a large underground car park.

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt far and wide across industries, and especially so for the travel and tourism industry. Cushman & Wakefield has published its Q3 Budapest Hospitality Marketbeat report.  

Ott Ventures, the private equity arm and fund management platform run by Orco Property Group and MaMaison Hotels & Residences founder Ott Properties, has announced the launch of its first hotel fund, Velvet. The pan-European investment vehicle is targeting total assets under management of €500 million with a planned LTV of 50%. It will invest across Europe with a focus on the main Central European markets of Poland, Czech Republic and Hungary as well as Germany and Austria.

Grand Plaza Hotel, the company that owns the Sheraton Bucharest Hotel in the centre of the Romanian capital, plans to add around 100 rooms to the 270 existing ones by building a new section, economica.net reports. The cost of the project is estimated at €5 million.

While the first results show that the GDP grew by 5.2% q-o-q in Q3 in the Czech Republic, the second wave of COVID-19 has forced the government to re-impose strict containment measures to curb the spread of the virus. Retail sales grew during the summer as they reached pre-pandemic levels. However, consumer confidence fell for a second consecutive month in September, while a worsening labour market outlook and a resurgence of new infections will mean households keep more precautionary savings as well as denting income. On the other hand, industrial production resumed growth in September and is likely to underpin economic growth as it is less exposed to the pandemic. Cushman & Wakefield summarised the situation in each market segment.

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) has signed a management agreement with Granit Polus Group for a compelling property to be re-branded to Crowne Plaza Budapest in 2021. The hotel, located in downtown Pest in the same building complex as the Westend City Centre shopping centre, is currently operated by Hilton under the name Hilton Garden Inn Budapest City Centre.

Local developer Sekyra Group has acquired the Stýblův dům townhouse on Wenceslas Square in Prague for around €16.6 million (CZK 450 million). The company is planning to invest €31.3 million (CZK 850 million) in restoring the building.

Most hotels in Budapest will see their revenues decrease by more than 70% compared to 2019 this year, while hotels outside the capital expect 20% to 40% lower revenues, according to a representative survey commissioned by the Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association.