Organizers of Boot Düsseldorf, one of the world’s largest boat shows, have said that demand for space has picked up as the event prepares to open this weekend.

An extra three thousand square feet of space have been added to the show this year, which may not sound like a lot but is being seen as a positive sign for the eight day event, which suffered with the rest of the industry in the economic downturn.

Consumers could see some good from the recession, with the economic conditions challenging and strengthening the varied exhibitors who will be at the event.

Robot receptionists, smart hotel rooms that know guests’ preferences and virtual postcards are all set to change the way we travel over the coming years.

A study commissioned by the organizers of ITB Berlin, one of the world’s largest travel shows, suggests that technological advances are expected to produce some far-reaching changes in the way we plan, book and enjoy our vacations.

Within ten years, smart rooms could be a reality, changing their lighting,  colors, air conditioning and even minibar options depending on the preferences of guests.

Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld is currently starring in a commercial for special editions of Volkswagen’s Polo and Golf models.

Lagerfeld comments on how stylish the cars are, assuming they are French, but then learns that they are in fact German, causing him to splutter with surprise.

Gifting your Polo/Golf with the STYLE pack brings a set of lightweight alloy rims, fog lamps, privacy glass as well as STYLE badging.

Last week, Karl Lagerfeld flew to Berlin for the filming of the 30-second commercial spot to promote special-edition models under the Style banner.

Matthias Becker, Volkswagen‘s marketing director for Germany said Lagerfeld plays himself in the commercial, photographing the cars and musing aloud.

The spot is directed by Johan Renck, the producer behind music videos for Madonna and Robbie Williams. The campaign is slated for release in Germany on Dec 22.

Although New York has undoubtedly been the hotel construction hotspot of 2010, Berlin is catching up fast as the year draws to a close.

The city’s wave of new openings started in July with the opening of the Weinmeister Berlin-Mitte and continued this month with the inauguration of the new Scandic Hotel at Potsdamer Platz, one of the city’s most vibrant cultural areas where skyscrapers have sprung from where the Berlin Wall once stood.

Boasting eight floors and 563 guest rooms with superb views of the city, the flagship hotel represents the start of a new push by the Nordic chain into Europe proper, preceding future openings in Hamburg around the end of 2011.

For the second time in a row, the traditional watch manufactory A. Lange & Söhne comes out top of the ranking of German luxury brands, published by the business news magazine “Wirtschaftswoche” in its edition of 17 August 2009.