Events & Awards

Baselworld Launches Hotel Partner Program

Events & AwardsNov 01, 2018

Baselworld Launches Hotel Partner Program

Forty hotels in the Swiss city have signed on so far, agreeing to not raise prices over 2018.

2018_Baselworld-outside.jpg
A shot outside the 2018 Baselworld edition of the watch and jewelry trade show. The event’s organizers are working with hotels in Basel to keep down the cost of staying in the city.

Basel, Switzerland—Baselworld has announced a program designed to address one of the criticisms directed at it: the inflated cost of staying in Basel during the watch and jewelry trade show.  

Organizers of the event announced Wednesday the launch of a hotel partner program.

Forty hotels have signed on to become either “Official Partners” (26) or “Preferred Partners” (14), comprising about two-thirds of the hotel capacity in Basel and surrounding areas, they said. (The two-thirds refers to official hotels; it does not include alternative accommodations, such as rooms booked through sites like Airbnb.)

Official Partners fulfill the following four criteria.
 
1. Comply with the agreed maximum price per night for a double room including breakfast.
•    5 star superior: CHF 1290 (about $1,286)
•    5 star: CHF 990 (about $987)
•    4 star superior: CHF 750 (about $748)
•    4 star: CHF 650 (about $648)
•    3 star superior: CHF 600 (about $598)
•    3 star CHF 550 (about $548)
•    2 star: CHF 350 (about $349)
•    1 star: CHF 200 (about $199)
2. No minimum length of stay.
3. No price increase compared with 2018.
4. No obligations to book more services than just a room, i.e. minimum consumption of food or beverages during the stay on top of the room rate.

The official partner hotels include the Les Trois Rois, which is the city’s only five-star hotel, and Hotel Stücki.

Preferred Partners, meanwhile, only have to fulfill three of the four aforementioned criteria. A Baselworld spokesperson said it is up to the hotels which one of the four they skip; so far, all the partners that have signed on have opted to forgo minimum length of stay.

Hotels that have agreed to be Preferred Partners include Ibis Styles Basel City, Ibis Basel Bahnhof, Ibis Budget Basel City, Ibis Budget and Courtyard by Marriott.

Show organizers said program conditions apply for the Baselworld 2019 event and are retroactive for existing bookings, but also noted that accommodation at participating hotels is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.

Prices also are only guaranteed for bookings made directly through the hotels.

A full list of participating hotels can be found on Baselworld.com.

RELATED CONTENT: What Is the Future of Jewelry Trade Shows?

The show created the program in collaboration with Basel’s Hotelier Association. The initiative is ongoing, and Baselworld organizers said they will continue to add hotels if they are interested in participating.

“We are very pleased to see that many

hoteliers not only embraced but also contributed towards the success of this initiative. They have affirmed Baselworld’s importance, also for Basel as a city, and they want to contribute toward assuring the trade show’s long-term presence in Basel, which benefits both the city and its surrounding areas,” Baselworld Managing Director Michel Loris-Melikoff said.

The beleaguered watch and jewelry trade show’s attempt to control hotel prices comes after a rough  few months that included Managing Director Sylvie Ritter stepping down (replaced by Loris-Melikoff); Swatch Group announcing it was leaving the trade show; and the resignation of René Kamm, CEO of Baselworld organizer the MCH Group AG.

The hotel partner program is one of a number of planned changes announced in late July in response to Swatch Group’s announcement.

In addition to bargaining with Basel-area hotels and restaurants to not inflate prices during the show, other plans include the addition of a retailer summit that will take place in Hall 1.2; an exhibition about the art of watchmaking in Hall 1.1; and expanding and bringing the on-site catering into the middle of the show floor.
Brecken Branstratoris the senior editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments in the colored stone sector.

The Latest

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (1).jpg
Supplier BulletinApr 24, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Wolf CEO Simon Wolf
EditorsApr 24, 2025
Q&A: Wolf’s CEO Talks U.S. Expansion

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

Iowa jeweler Herman Ginsberg
IndependentsApr 24, 2025
Longtime Iowa Jeweler Herman Ginsberg Dies at 99

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

gia1d100 btyb.jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

The risk of laboratory-grown diamonds being falsely presented as natural diamonds presents a very significant danger to consumer trust.

Charles & Colvard moissanite ring
FinancialsApr 24, 2025
Charles & Colvard Delisted From Nasdaq Due to Noncompliance

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

Weekly QuizApr 24, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Young Diamantaires
SourcingApr 24, 2025
Young Diamantaires Transition to Nonprofit

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Mined + Found "Hope" Matchbox Locket
TrendsApr 24, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: So Charming

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

gia-topimage 0325.jpg
Brought to you by
A Brilliant Future Is Here

Get online education from GIA experts.

Bulgari’s expanded factory in Valenza, Italy
MajorsApr 23, 2025
Bulgari Doubles Size of Jewelry Factory in Italy

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

1999 Cosmograph Daytona, Ref.16516
AuctionsApr 23, 2025
Rare Custom Rolex Daytona Heads to Auction

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

Carmelo Anthony and Jaylen Brown David Yurman campaign
MajorsApr 23, 2025
David Yurman’s New Campaign Stars Carmelo Anthony, Jaylen Brown

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

Woman wearing Zales jewelry
MajorsApr 22, 2025
Zales’ Rebrand Takes Playful Approach to Fine Jewelry

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

JAR Apricot Blossom bracelet
AuctionsApr 22, 2025
Christie’s to Auction JAR Jewelry Collection

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

National Jeweler columnist Lilian Raji
ColumnistsApr 22, 2025
The PR Adviser: Building Buzz Through Word of Mouth

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.

Avi Levy
GradingApr 22, 2025
Avi Levy Is GCAL By Sarine’s New Chief Growth Officer

GCAL by Sarine created the new role to sharpen the company’s focus on strategic partnerships and scalable expansion.

Scottsdale Fine Jewelers store exterior
IndependentsApr 22, 2025
Brinker’s Jewelers Acquires Fellow Independent

The Indiana jeweler has acquired Scottsdale Fine Jewelers in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Bill and Birdie Levine of Van Cott Jewelers
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
New York Jeweler to Close After 111 Years

Van Cott Jewelers in Vestal, New York, is hosting a going-out-of-business sale.

IJO Director Samantha Larson
IndependentsApr 21, 2025
IJO Names New Director of Vendor Relations, Merchandise Strategy

Industry veteran Samantha Larson has held leadership roles at Borsheims, McTeigue & McClelland, Stuller, and Long’s Jewelers.

Events & AwardsApr 21, 2025
Jewelers of Louisiana, Mississippi Jewelers Association to Co-Host Convention

The two organizations will hold the educational event together this fall in Mississippi.

Daymond John
Events & AwardsApr 18, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

The entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.

Dukachi Easter Bread Pendant
CollectionsApr 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: Dukachi’s ‘Easter Bread’ Pendant

The Ukrainian brand’s new pendant is modeled after a traditional paska, a pastry often baked for Easter in Eastern European cultures.

Bremer Jewelry
IndependentsApr 18, 2025
Bremer Jewelry to Reveal Renovated Store

The jeweler has announced a grand reopening for its recently remodeled location in Peoria, Illinois.

Tiffany & Co. Strong Like Mom campaign
MajorsApr 18, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Employees Star in Mother’s Day Campaign

The “Strong Like Mom” campaign features moms who work at Tiffany & Co. and their children.

Athena Calderone x John Hardy Collection
CollectionsApr 17, 2025
John Hardy, Athena Calderone Partner on Art Deco Decor-Inspired Collection

Interior designer Athena Calderone looked to decor from the 1920s and 1930s when crafting her first fine jewelry collection.

Movado Connect 2.0 watches
FinancialsApr 17, 2025
Movado Group to Increase Prices to Offset Tariffs Impact

During a call about its full-year results, CEO Efraim Grinberg discussed how the company is approaching the uncertainty surrounding tariffs.

Natural Diamond Council Diamond Learning Center Graphic
Lab-GrownApr 17, 2025
NDC Launches Its Diamond Learning Center

The free program provides educational content for jewelry salespeople and enthusiasts to learn or refresh their diamond knowledge.

Jewelers of America logo
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2025
Jewelers of America Requests Tariffs Testimonials from Members

The feedback will be used to prepare other jewelers for the challenges ahead, the organization said.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy