Ken PwC recently published the results of a follow-up survey on the insurance market in the accession nations of central and eastern Europe (CEE). They published the original survey at the end of 2004.
Based on 2005 figures, the latest available at the time of compilation, the key finding was that insurance penetration, measured by premia paid as a percentage of GDP, in the 10 CEE countries averaged 3.26% whereas the figure for the 15 original EU members was 8.64%.
However the....more
AMERICAS: FEBRUARY 2008 - Tata in poll position to acquire Jaguar and Land Rover from Ford.
Ken Gorin, chairman of the Jaguar Business Operations Council which represents Jaguar dealers in the United States, stated in an interview in December 2007 that the American public was not ready for Indian ownership of a luxury car brand. He was quoted as stating, 'I believe it would severely throw a tremendous cast of doubt over the viability of the brand.' His opinion was dismissed as narrow by his UK counterpart James Brearley, chairman of the British Jaguar dealers' council.
Gorin's concerns were also dismissed by Ravi Kant, managing director of Tata Motors, Kamal Nath, India's commerce and industry minister and the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India.
Despite this controversy Lewis Booth, executive vice president - Ford of Europe and Premier Automotive Group stated on 3 January 2008 that, 'Ford is committed to focused negotiations at a more detailed level with Tata Motors concerning the potential sale of the combined Jaguar Land Rover business.'
'There is still a considerable amount of work to do, and while no final decision has been made, we will proceed with further substantive discussions with Tata Motors over the forthcoming weeks with a view to securing an agreement that is in the best interests of all parties concerned.'
Jaguar's management was reported to be entirely relaxed at this decision.
For more information follow this link: Snapshots Germany PCs 2008
Snapdata's Snapshots Germany PCs 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the German PC market, and covers desktop pcs and notebooks. Market volume is based on unit sales in the consumer market. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots Germany PCs 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Technology industry coverage.
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Snapdata's Snapshots China Buses 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Chinese bus market, and covers light, medium and large buses. Market volume is based on new registrations. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots China Buses 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Automotive industry coverage.
For more information follow this link: Snapshots Canada Cars 2008
Snapdata's Snapshots Canada Cars 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 4 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Canadian car market, and covers mid-range, large, luxury, small and other cars. It does not include used cars or car stock. Market volume is based on new registrations. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots Canada Cars 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Automotive industry coverage.
For more information follow this link: Japan Games Hardware
Snapdata's Snapshots Japan Games Hardware 2007 provides 2006 year-end market size data, with 2007 estimates, 4 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Japanese games hardware market, and covers home use consoles and portable consoles. Market volume is based on domestic shipments. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis.The Snapshots Japan Games Hardware 2007 forms part of Snapdata's Home & Leisure industry coverage.
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Snapdata's Snapshots Brazil Buses 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the Brazilian bus market, and covers tourist, local, micro, intercity and mini buses. Market volume is based on new registrations. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots Brazil Buses 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Automotive industry coverage.
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Snapdata's Snapshots UK Frozen Pizza 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the UK frozen pizza market. Market value is based on retail sales. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots UK Frozen Pizza 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Food industry coverage.
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Snapdata's Snapshots UK Credit Cards 2008 provides 2007 year-end market size data, with 2008 estimates, 5 years of historical data and five-year forecasts. The Snapshots report gives an instant overview of the UK credit card market, and covers consumer and commercial credit cards. It does not include retail store cards. Market value is based on the value of transactions. Market volume is based on the number of card transactions. The data is supplied in both graphical and tabular format for ease of interpretation and analysis. The Snapshots UK Credit Cards 2008 forms part of Snapdata's Financial Services industry coverage.
ASIA: DECEMBER 2007 - Growth and challenges in the Hong Kong hotel sector.
On 28 September 2007 Mark Lettenbichler, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Hotels Association, published his statement for 2006-2007 in which he reviewed the successes of, and challenges facing, the hotel industry in Hong Kong.
Room inventory had increased from 43,866 rooms at the end of 2005 to 51,742 rooms by July 2007 with a projected inventory of 55,174 by the end of 2007. This will represent an increase of 26% withinin two years.
This rise in room numbers led to a two percentage point decline in average hotel room occupancy rate during the first seven months of 2007 year to 83.4% from 85.4% in the first seven months of 2006.This was counterbalanced by an increase in average hotel room rates of 11.9% resulting in an increase in average yield of 9.3%.
He highlighted the need to be aware of the growing popularity of Macau as a tourist destination. Macau, an hour's ferry ride from Hong Kong has overtaken Las Vegas as the world's leading gambling destination and has a higher per capita GDP than Hong Kong. However given Hong Kong's superior air transport facilities and international connections it should be possible for the hotel industry to benefit from developments in Macau.
An indirect challenge posed by the growth in Macau's tourist infrastructure is the demands it places on the limited pool of suitably skilled staff in the region.
Simon Keswick, the Chairman of Mandarin Oriental International Limited, has also announced his confidence in the sector in the companiy's 2007 interim report. The group's eponymous Kong Kong hotel benefitted from higher average room rate following its refurbishment; the group's Excelsior Hong Kong also achieved good growth in its room rate.
Hong Kong Hotels 2007
