Hotelship

[9] At times when accommodation shortages can be predicted, for example during trade fairs or big events, hotelships can complement the already existing permanent hotels in a flexible fashion.

Moorings are usually conveniently located in the city centre, for example at the Konrad Adenauer Ufer in Cologne, the Altstadtufer in Düsseldorf or the Holbeinsteg at Nizza, Frankfurt.

During international trade fairs it was often difficult to find good quality accommodation in a convenient location because of shortages of hotel rooms.

During the International Textile Trade Fair in Frankfurt, the idea was born to moor a river cruiser on the banks of the Main and thus increase bed capacity in the city centre.

Many visitors have stayed away or just come for the day and have been able to do so because of reduced transport costs with budget airlines or ICE train connections.

Hotelships redress the balance during these temporary peaks and, in spite of criticism from local hotels, help make trade fair locations more attractive and more competitive.

The introduction of hotelships takes account of this situation and helps to balance occasional high demand with supply.

Their role is to charter ships and position them in the relevant cities whilst at the same time ensuring and maintaining agreed standards.

The charterers keep in close contact with trade fair organisations and tourist offices in the relevant cities in order to provide hotelships as and when required.

Guests include individual clients as well as companies[15] who usually book their hotel accommodation via specialist travel agencies or directly with the local tourist office.

[19] During the COVID-19 pandemic, river cruise ships were used to provide nearly 1,500 beds for medical workers in the worst affected city, Wuhan.