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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: September 2011Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 30, 2011In Defence of OTAs - Why They Are Critical for Hotels, Especially Independent and Boutique HotelsToday's Discussion Article: OTA bashing is a fashionable sport - they only want low rates, they charge too much commission, they have too much power in how hotels manage inventory and rates (did I miss any?)- the list goes on and on. It is a situation where you don't want to live with them BUT you can't live without them. By Carol Verret More... [1774 views] Hotel Industry Alert: Some Things to Feel (Very) Good About!Of course there are plenty of macro economic issues and industry challenges to worry about. But there are also some things to feel good about. If you want to be gloomy, go read your newspaper. If you want to cheer up, keep reading. By Jim Butler More... [671 views] How To Tell Someone They're Wrong (And Make Them Feel Good About It)There are plenty of reasons not to tell someone they're wrong. It's uncomfortable, for one thing. You also might come off as rigid, unsympathetic, arrogant, or worst of all, politically incorrect. By Steven Berglas More... [1683 views] Land a Job in the Best London Boutique HotelsHotel job seekers are increasingly looking to work in boutique hotels rather than staid big chain hotels. By Rajul More... [696 views] Au Revoir Europe - Thanks for the memoriesWe've climbed to 35,000 feet, the Captain has just turned off the seat belt sign, and glancing out of the window, I can see Europe slowly disappearing under the vapor trail of CX270. By Terence Ronson More... [747 views] Marking World Tourism Day, Think Tank Calls for Engaging Local Communities in Tourism DevelopmentAs the world celebrates World Tourism Day on 27 September, experts in the field of tourism and culture have underscored the need for local community engagement in tourism development at the official celebrations in Egypt (27 September, Aswan, Egypt). More... [221 views] STR Reports Global Rise in August Hotel RatesHotel rates, in terms of U.S. dollars, increased across all global regions in August, according to STR Global. By Michael B. Baker More... [369 views] Outsourcing Hotel Jobs to Be BannedThe City of Cambridge, Mass., has moved to create an ordinance that will effectively bar hotels from outsourcing in-house jobs, the first ban of its kind in the country. By Dave Jamieson More... [814 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 29, 2011Ed Fuller to Retire From Marriott; Led International GrowthEd Fuller of Marriott International, Inc. , who led operations for the company's dramatic growth outside of North America, will retire from the company next March 31, Marriott said. More... [936 views] How to Test Hotel FeasibilityWhen designing a hotel, the architect and development team need to create a project that is ultimately economically feasible. Unless the hotel's owner is ego driven rather than economically motivated, most investors are looking for a return on their invested capital. By Steve Rushmore More... [1204 views] Choice Hotels Continues Mobile Technology Leadership in the Hotel IndustrySince its most notable mobile technology milestone just a mere two years ago in the announcement of the hotel industry's first global iPhone app, Choice Hotels International, Inc. recently celebrated a number of new advancements in the mobile segment. More... [599 views] 6 Hotel Trends From Disappearing Tubs to New FeesHere are some details on six hotel trends bubbling up in the industry right now, and how they affect your stay. By Beth J. Harpaz More... [1228 views] Pall Over hotel Industry Financing Shows Signs of LiftingDuring the annual Phoenix Lodging Conference last week, hotel developers, executives, designers and financiers huddled in discussions over possible deals - something not seen since the financial crisis. By Barbara DeLollis More... [190 views] Starwood Hotels Pushes International GrowthHigh-end hotel management company Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide (HOT) has a plan to transform the company business model away from hotel ownership toward a fee-based management approach. At the same time, the focus on growth is through the increase of international properties, along with emphasis on rate expansion in the United States. By Tim Plaehn More... [493 views] Redesigning Your Hotel Website for the Social Media RevolutionDespite their critical business importance, most hotel websites fail to take advantage of the social media revolution or meet the needs of modern wired travelers. Today more than 80 percent of travelers rely on the internet for their travel research and want a fast, multimedia, interactive experience including advice from other travelers. More... [797 views] Not Just Hotel Reviews: TripAdvisor NowIf you liked or disliked TripAdvisor's hotel reviews, you now have traveler-taken photos to consider. By Dennis Schaal More... [801 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 28, 2011Social Media Coercion: How Far Should Hotels Go to Please and Appease Guests?In my last post, Social Media Ambush, I discussed the growing trend of travelers using social media to voice complaints, often without bringing them to the attention of staff. In this post I discuss two other ways travelers are using social media: requests for special treatment and threats to write a bad review. By Daniel Edward Craig More... [1610 views] A Baker’s Dozen of Reality Checks in Hospitality- Myth or Fact?During the past 25 years in workshops, seminars and presentations, I have been collecting an assortment of 'myths' that many of us have held as self-evident truths. I have shared one or two of these in earlier blogs or columns, but this list is much more comprehensive. By Dr. John Hogan CHA CHE CMHS More... [1079 views] Hotel Lawyers in Phoenix: 'It's not just me. The market has changed in just the last 60 days!'Our hotel lawyers were at The Lodging Conference in Phoenix last week, taking the measure of the hotel industry. It was pretty interesting. Some said August was a 'turning point' and they were not referring to a good thing. At the Hotel Law Blog, what happens in Phoenix does not stay in Phoenix. Here's what we heard. By Jim Butle More... [351 views] Five Myths About Marketing to Baby BoomersDid you know every day over 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65? There are almost 80 million Baby Boomers in the United States, and collectively this group has spending power upwards of $1 trillion annually. As a business owner, you should examine the myths surrounding this age group if you want to successfully target this lucrative demographic. By Paul Prisco More... [599 views] Happy Birthday to London HotelsBy strange coincidence, it seems that 2011 is the year of the Big Birthday for London's hotels. Join in the party at these favourites... By Holly More... [508 views] Big-Spending Aussies Top Visa PollAustralians spent an average of US$3,636 during their last trip, ranking them the biggest travel spenders worldwide, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011, which surveyed 11,620 respondents from 23 countries and territories around the world. More... [345 views] Hyatt: Today's Travellers Want Good Beer, Not Free BeerHow risky is Hyatt's decision to eliminate the free beer and wine at the nightly manager's receptions at its extended stay hotels? By Barbara De Lollis More... [543 views] Latest Trends in Hotel RefurbishmentAcross the country, heavy investments are being made into hotel refurbishment. Phil Benson takes a look at the latest hotel refurbishment trends. More... [852 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 27, 2011Direct Sales: The Lost ArtIs direct sales in the hospitality industry going down the path of lost arts such as letter-writing, sewing, and even newspapers? The application of social media, mobile marketing, and technology, in all of their forms, has created an over-emphasis on its importance, and many times replaces good ‘ol fashioned personal interaction. Certainly, anyone with a teenager knows this. By Brenda Fields More... [1256 views] How Your Hotel Can Use TabletsIn case you haven't noticed, there's this great new piece of technology gaining massive acceptance, generically called the Tablet PC. Your guests will be arriving with them. Your competitors will be finding ways to use them. So what are you doing about it? By Larry Mogelonsky More... [2658 views] Travelling Light: Seven Golden RulesPacking light needn't be a chore - frequent traveller Andrea gives her top tips below. More... [809 views] Who Are Millennials and How to Engage ThemYielding $889.3 billion in spending power, brands need to determine how best to engage Millennials. Tapping into this market, however, is rife with challenges. More... [556 views] Sharing Is GoodI have a friend who writes screenplays in his spare time. He swears he's always just on the cusp of writing Hollywood's next big blockbuster. But he also admits it's a long, hard, uphill journey to get there. The problem is he always takes that journey alone. By Cameron Herold More... [331 views] European Hotel Rates up 19% from AugustEuropean hotel rates have fallen ten percent this month to an average of 102 pounds per night. Holiday resorts and island destinations are especially expensive this month, particularly in Spain, while city destinations are considerably more affordable than in June. More... [292 views] Hotelier of the Week: Phillipe RequinGrace Hotels is best known for its two boutique hotels on the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini. This year the group has expanded internationally into America and China with the acquisition of Vanderbilt Hall in Newport, Rhode Island, which re-opened as Vanderbilt Grace in June 2011, and the Yi House Hotel, which re-opened as Grace Beijing in September 2011. By Tom Otley More... [433 views] Kyoto Hotel Gives Capsule Concept a MakeoverA grid of glowing pods filled with sleeping bodies could be a scene from 'The Matrix.' Yet this futuristic vision has been a common sight in Japan since 1979, when the first capsule hotel appeared in Osaka. Soon, capsule hotels were mushrooming in cities across Japan and as far away as Shanghai and Warsaw. By Sophie Knight More... [353 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 26, 2011Survey: Attitudes and Behaviours of Frequent Business TravellersCountry Inns & Suites, part of Carlson Hotels announces the results of a national survey of 1,000 frequent business travelers. The joint survey between Country Inns & Suites By Carlson and The Business Travel News Group was designed to capture the attitudes and behaviors of business travelers on the road, focused on hotel selection and productivity needs. More... [1185 views] Hitchcock’s Wise Words for HotelsWhether it's a straight-laced caper or psychological thriller, the late Sir Alfred Hitchcock certainly had a lot to say about human behavior and the medium of film. But after recently catching North by Northwest (1959) on late night reruns - specifically, Cary Grant roaming the lavishly decorated Plaza Hotel in New York City - I had a revelation. By Larry Mogelonsky More... [1145 views] Empowering The Modern TravellerLast year, Americans took 1.9 billion trips for leisure and business purposes, generating more than $758 billion in direct expenditures. This number was expected to increase this year as more families ditched the "staycation" and took to the roads (and skies). By Maryam Banikarim More... [300 views] Six Words That Will Instantly Make You A Networking ProIf you are like most entrepreneurs, at some point you have been to a networking function that made you start to vomit a little in your mouth as yet another person tried to push their card down your throat. News flash: these people are not professional networkers. They are what I refer to as 'show-ups and throw-ups.' To be effective, you have to be a pro...and I am about to show you the easiest way to become one. By Mike Michalowicz More... [1343 views] IHG Introduces Launch of ‘Best Price Guarantee’IHG announced a major initiative to better serve guests' evolving needs in the hotel industry. More... [744 views] Visiting New York City Boutique Hotels vs Big Box HotelsWhile visiting the city that never sleeps, one must, eventually, sleep. The question of where to find suitable New York lodging can be easily be narrowed, by considering one important factor: Whether you would prefer a stay at a luxury boutique hotel, or a "big box" chain hotel. By William Hauselberg More... [350 views] South East Europe Shows Potential in Spite of General Economic WoesHorwath HTL, the world's largest hotel consulting network, hosted a round table discussion on Investment Opportunities in South East Europe, under the heading ‘The Mediterranean/Southern European Track, a Focus on the Balkans. More... [301 views] Selling Travel With Words, Not ImagesTravel industry advertising tends to focus on the fantasy of travel, beckoning cubicle dwellers with film of remote beaches where couples run in slow motion, and where opulent hotel rooms include flowers and Champagne. By Andrew Adam Newman More... [399 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 23, 2011Is Your Hotel Ready for Gordon Ramsay's New Show: Hotel HellGordon Ramsay is expanding beyond cooking and setting his sights on a new makeover target: Hotels. By James Hibberd More... [1505 views] Hotels Could See $1.8 Billion a Year from Fees, Study FindsTelephone and mini-bar charges have long been standard, but the hotel industry is expected to pocket a record $1.8 billion this year with an assortment of new fees for housekeeping, room-service trays, bell hops and early cancellations - services once thought to be part of room rates. By Hugo Martín More... [740 views] Hotel Training Is Like Learning a Second LanguageThe lessons I've learned in my attempt to become fluent in a second language can be applied to developing better hotel training. As I review my notes, I will share with you how the lessons I learned apply more broadly to job skills training as a whole. So, without further ado, the lessons... By Tommy Taylor More... [1017 views] Get Ready To Hire Generation ZJust as companies have adjusted to the demands of generation Y, a new generation is set to graduate from college: generation Z. By Penelope Trunk More... [1491 views] Book of the Month: Hotel Biz by Hans Gerhardt'More than anyone else in the hotel business, Hans Gerhardt changed the way the industry does business,' says President and CEO of Postmedia Network - Paul Godfrey. 'He is a great promoter and great creator.' By Hans J. Gerhardt More... [626 views] STR Reports Global Hotel Pipelines for August 2011According to the August 2011 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report, the Asia Pacific hotel development pipeline comprises 1,290 hotels totaling 310,230 rooms. More... [428 views] New Wellness Report Released by Omni Hotels & Resorts Reveals On-The-Road Habits of Business TravellersA recent survey from Omni Hotels & Resorts of business travelers reveals their challenges when it comes to staying healthy on the road. The Wellness Report contained a number of findings, including: More... [459 views] When 12000 Guests Spend the NightHere is just some of what it takes to run the country's biggest hotel each day: 26 limousines, 46 tons of clean linens, 3,000 poolside deck chairs and more than 8,000 employees. By Andrea Petersen More... [1190 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 22, 2011Social Media Ambush: When Hotel Guests Go on the AttackDealing with difficult guests is nothing new to the hospitality industry, nor is occasionally buying a guest's silence. But social media has raised the stakes, taking issues previously handled discreetly into the public realm, making word of mouth scalable and pumping it full of grievance-enhancing steroids. More... [1423 views] Hospitality – Maybe You Have Heard Of It?Webster's Dictionary defines Hospitality as 'the act, practice, or quality of being hospitable; solicitous entertainment of guests.' Interestingly, I just came back from two business trips that I took back-to-back where the hospitality and experiences I witnessed were decidedly different in the cities I visited. By Robert J Nyman More... [815 views] Over Half of Hotel Reservations Made Directly Through the HotelData from the July 2011 TravelClick North American Distribution Review, detailing hotel bookings by channel from Q1 2009 through December 31, 2011, reveals that during Q2, 2011, travelers booked more hotel rooms directly through a hotel's website or by calling a specific property than booking through a GDS More... [694 views] The Power Of Language: 5 Wicked Words That Are Sabotaging Your SuccessWould you believe that the words you use actually determine whether you succeed or not? Language shapes how we experience the world. Take a few minutes and just listen to the conversations around you. Count how often you hear the following words: but, want, should, hope, try. By Ivana Taylor More... [1292 views] Making a Chain Feel HomierHyatt Hotels Corp. plans to overhaul its 54 extended-stay hotels to make them more homey and sociable. By Kris Hudson More... [315 views] Hospitality Lawyers in Phoenix for the 2011 Lodging Conference. What's Happening to the Hospitality Industry?The Lodging Conference kicks off tonight at the Arizona Biltmore as roughly 1,500 hotel industry leaders gather for the next 3 days. This is one of my favorite hotel finance conferences of the year, and JMBM's Global Hospitality Group® will be well represented. By Jim Butler More... [212 views] Gay-Friendly Cities Are Benefiting from a More Diverse Consumer BaseIn an agnostic business environment found in most parts of the Western world it is expected that purveyors of products and services will not let their preferences and/or prejudices play a role in excluding customers based on the latter's personal profile. By Vijay Dandapani More... [335 views] At Hotels, Perks You Can PetSome hotels seem to have gone to the dogs - literally. Canines are now on staff at hotels across the country, from urban addresses to rural retreats, as perks you can pet. By Elaine Glusac More... [304 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 21, 2011Service Excellence 101: Be WelcomingAs a follow up to my article about being eager to serve, it is important to highlight the importance of the entire welcome experience. There is a popular saying that goes, You never get a second chance to make a first impression. While it is possible, it can be difficult to bounce back from a poor welcome experience. By Bryan K. Williams More... [1671 views] What Microsoft’s Ban on Flash Means for Hotel Web DesignMicrosoft announced this week that it has banned Flash and other plug-ins in the default browser of Windows 8, just like Steve Jobs did last year when Apple banned Flash from the iPhone and iPad. By Brad Becker More... [1440 views] Kurt Ritter: 35th Anniversary with The Rezidor Hotel GroupThe Swiss hotelier Kurt Ritter celebrates his 35th anniversary with Rezidor. In 1976, he joined the company as General Manager of the SAS Luleå Hotel in Sweden. Since 1989, he heads Rezidor as the President & CEO, and is most probably the longest serving Chief Executive Officer of the hospitality industry. More... [452 views] Some Hotels that Drop Major Brands Are Staying IndependentThe Monumental Movieland hotel on International Drive used to be a Best Western. Down the street, a Holiday Inn is now known as the International Palms Resort. And on the same stretch of I-Drive, the Rodeway Inn has become the Rosen Inn. By Sara K. Clarke More... [422 views] Hotelier of the Week: Greg HegartyLiat Clark speaks to Greg Hegarty, regional general manager for Park Plaza, about the hotel groups' plans for UK expansion. More... [306 views] Baby Boomers Are Dreaming of Travel, Studies FindAn AARP national telephone survey of 29,000 older adults recently asked people to describe their top dream. Surprisingly, it was to travel. By Mario Garrett More... [523 views] Ritz-Carlton Launches $10M Repositioning CampaignThe Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. launched a $10 million advertising campaign on Sept. 16 to spread awareness of its new brand positioning. The Marriott-owned hotel chain created the effort, which includes direct mail, email, social media and banner ads, with Los Angeles-based agency Team One. By Juan Martinez More... [618 views] Does Your Hotel Safe Have a Security Flaw?The hotel safe you use to stash your passport, laptop and other valuables might have a major security flaw, according to a traveler's YouTube.com video highlighted by Web tracker DailyDot.com. By Barbara De Lollis More... [761 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 20, 2011Stop! Look! and Listen!three simple, potentially life-saving actions drilled into us by our parents and teachers when we are about to cross the road. This sound advice is relevant to all manner of junctions we encounter in life, but for the purpose of this BLOG - none more so than understanding where we are, and where we are headed with Hotel tech. By Terence Ronson More... [777 views] The Current State of Online Food Ordering in the U.S. Restaurant IndustryCornell research analyzes current state of restaurants' online food ordering and introduces a hotel competitor analysis decision-support tool More... [389 views] 20 New Keys To Social Media EtiquetteForget the advice from Emily Post. She never dreamed of having to interact with people through real time social media. Enter Patricia Rossi, NBC's national manners coach and Twitter's No. 1 etiquette professional. Her new book, Everyday Etiquette has helpful tips for this level of social interaction. More... [1185 views] Four Star Free WiFi Hotels that Outdo Five Star Hotels5 star hotels that charge for WiFi are an anachronism - luckily, there are cheaper 4 star alternatives which offer free WiFi with no compromise on luxury and we cherry-pick the best according to TripAdvisor below. By Rajul More... [1010 views] The Life of a Hotel Inspector – All Work No Play?Using the valet, ordering room service, checking out the pool and spa and eating in a hotel's restaurant may seem like a vacation, but for hotel inspectors, it's just a day's work. By Jennifer Palmer More... [713 views] Rising Sea Levels May Threaten Tourism along California CoastAs rising sea levels eat away at the California coastline over the next century, the advancing ocean could cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage to beach communities as tourism and tax revenue is swept away, according to a state-commissioned study released Tuesday. By Tony Barboza More... [227 views] Hotel Demand Has Room for GrowthRates at Houston-area hotel are on the rise, but nationwide economic uncertainty is slowing demand, a hotel consultant said Thursday. By Nancy Sarnoff More... [211 views] Travelocity Survey Reveals Family Dream VacationsTravelocity's most recent survey of customers found having kids doesn't have to mean the end of travel. In fact, it turns out families who travel with children are more likely to have dream vacations planned than those respondents who do not. More... [442 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 19, 2011Fighting the Incredible Shrinking Booking WindowIt's been just over a week since millions of Americans have returned to the post-Labor Day daily grind. And in spite of traffic-clogged trips to and from airports, misplaced luggage, delays, and weather that was less than cooperative, many may already be planning a short trip for the next long holiday - the Columbus Day weekend. Or are they? By Jean Francois Mourier More... [856 views] How To Create An Unbeatable Call To ActionHave you ever been tempted to purchase something from an infomercial, even if it was a product you didn't really need or want? One minute you're watching your favorite television show and the next you're entranced by the commercial, saying, "Yeah, I need that!" to a product you've never even heard of before. By Justine Grey More... [499 views] Boutique Hotels to Turn to Destination Restaurants to Help Them Stand Out from the Crowd, says HVS LondonAs the boutique hotel sector continues to grow, both in the UK and internationally, operators must work harder to create a point of difference for their properties as well as to maintain a sense of exclusivity and aspiration, says a new report from hotel consultancy HVS London. More... [614 views] World Events Lead to Dramatic Swings in Hotel PricesHotel prices have experienced pronounced volatility as a result of political turmoil and natural disasters in the first half of 2011, according to the latest Hotels.com(R) Hotel Price Index(TM) (HPI(R)). More... [390 views] Biggest, Best: Amazing Cruise ShipsAs demand for new ships, innovative facilities, and more exotic places to cruise continues to grow, the cruise industry remains in a constant state of change. By Joanna Hall More... [447 views] Fashion Designer Backs Out of Clock Tower Building PurchaseFashion designer Tommy Hilfiger has called off plans to purchase the Clock Tower, the landmarked office tower overlooking Madison Square Park. He had intended to convert it into a luxury hotel and condominium. By Amanda Fung More... [252 views] Hotel Prices are Stabilising in East AsiaSix months on from the Fukushima disaster in Japan Europe's leading hotel portal HRS can report that hotels are starting to return to' business as usual' across the region. Tourism in not just Japan, but Korea, Thailand and China, experienced an understandable nosedive following the tsunami on 11th March 2011. More... [242 views] Hotels Not on Facebook Risk 'Losing Credibility'Hotel GMs were warned that they should employ a social media strategy or risk 'losing credibility' at yesterday's Great GM Debate in Dubai. By Monika Canty More... [1091 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 16, 2011Hotel Training Budget Reflects Belief SystemsIf you are like most hoteliers, chances are that your property is having one of its best years in recent memory. Yet with the recent stall in the economic recovery, it is important not to assume that next year will automatically be just as profitable. By Doug Kennedy More... [755 views] Make More Money – Don’t Ask the Guest What Can You Do: Just Tell the Guest What You Will Do!What are the last words we often teach the front line staff to speak with the guest? How often do we still hear: "Is there anything else I may assist you with?" It is a good thing to ask, but there is a better conversation to have with the guest. Engage the guest in a conversation that better serves the guest and a conversation that better benefits the hotel. By Lisa Miller More... [1134 views] Vocal Grooming: Gossiping In The WorkplaceAbout two-thirds of our conversation is devoted to social topics-talking about ourselves and others. According to the research of Robin Dunbar, professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of Oxford. By Bruna Martinuzzi More... [705 views] Cracking Open the Hotel MinibarThe traditional hotel minibar may offer a cure for late-night cravings, but the home of the $4 Kit Kat can make anyone, hotel executive or guest, grumble. By Andrea Peter More... [726 views] Ten of the Best Boutique Hotels in IstanbulTake your pick from a former distillery on the Asiatic shores a hideaway with a terrace overlooking the Blue Mosque. Pat Yale rounds up Istanbul's sleekest sleeping options More... [518 views] Hotel Chain Reveals £1m Cost Of RiotsTravelodge says the riots that broke out in the UK last month cost it £1m, although the group says the loss will not affect its expansion plans. More... [200 views] Dynamizing Its Economy Brands, the First Stone of Accor’s New StrategyAccor, now a pure-player in hotels with the acknowledged three-fold expertise of a hotel operator, hotel franchisor and hotel asset manager, unveils its new strategy and inaugurates a new chapter in its history with the economy brands ibis, ibis styles and ibis budget. More... [345 views] Four Seasons Finalizes Deal for $360 Million Hotel at Disney WorldFour Seasons Hotels and Resorts said Tuesday it has secured financing for a $360 million luxury resort at Walt Disney World and will begin construction of the long-planned project in December. By Jason Garcia More... [638 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 15, 2011The Smart Hotelier’s Guide to 2012 Digital Marketing Budget PlanningIn an industry as dynamic as ours, it is important to stay on top of quickly moving trends, prioritize initiatives that generate direct online bookings, and be flexible enough to continuously adjust your hotel digital marketing campaigns for optimal results. By Max Starkov and Mariana Mechoso Safer More... [1182 views] How Hotels Can Appeal to Travel BloggersIf you haven't already realized, there's a very eager and knowledgeable community of writers ready to spread the good word about your hotel. The concept of the travel blogger is yet another to evolve from the Internet, and I've witnessed their numbers grow leaps and bounds within the travel world. If you look at how well they leverage the web and social media, you'll quickly grasp how making friends within this cluster can be beneficial. By Larry Mogelonsky More... [1516 views] Three Salary Negotiation Secrets You Probably MissedAs your business grows, you will be hiring more employees to scale up your profits and take over tasks that you and your top management would rather not deal with. With employees come a number of additional issues that you'll have to handle, including compensation. By Neil Patel More... [1068 views] Free Wifi at 45 Park Lane But Not at the DorchesterAt 45 Park Lane the WiFi is free - but not at its big sister The Dorchester nor several other luxury London hotels which we name and shame below. By Jules More... [857 views] Luxury Hotels Market the Memories They Can MakeSince the financial crisis began, millions of wealthy consumers have decided to play down the joy of accumulating things in favor of the pleasure of accumulating experiences. By Stuart Elliott More... [523 views] New Booking Site Helps Hotels Increase Online Bookings by Targeting Travellers with ReservationsUntil now, the online booking channel has relied on a listing model which assumes that travelers book hotel stays based on one factor above all else: price.The distribution side of the hotel industry is expanding exponentially as new channels promising the absolute lowest price on hotels launch daily. As a result, hoteliers have been reduced to offering discount after discount to win business, competing in a never-ending race to the bottom. More... [932 views] Breaking Up at the Divorce Hotel in HollandThe five star Hotel Karel the Fifth in Utrecht looks ideal for a weekend getaway. In the bustling lobby, there's no shortage of advertisements for kissing couples hoping for a romantic retreat. By Clark Boyd More... [447 views] Schrager Makes Over a Legendary Chicago HotelIan Schrager, whose indefatigable pursuit of buzz over the last 30 years has produced memorable hotels like the Royalton and the Gramercy Park in New York, the Mondrian in Los Angeles and the Delano in Miami Beach. By Robert Sharoff More... [418 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 14, 2011Creating a Virtuous Cycle: Integrating Online Reputation Management into Operations and CultureAt a time when the travel industry is still struggling to accommodate social media, which barged in like a noisy tour group speaking a bizarre foreign language, another demanding new function is banging at the door: online reputation management. By Daniel Edward Craig More... [683 views] Great Customer Service Means Never Having To Say You're SorryOne of the biggest myths of customer service is that companies simply need to listen to customer complaints and then fix them. Most executives believe that every company needs to react quickly to concerns since there will 'always be problems.' By Barry Moltz More... [2130 views] CLOUD Based Hotel Management Systems – Some Common ConcernsWhen it comes to CLOUD computing in hospitality businesses, most hotels have two major apprehensions in their day to day operations, connection loss and data security. Let's throw some more light on these two critical aspects. More... [706 views] Hotel Labour and Employment Lawyer Alert: The NLRB Is Making it Harder to Stay Union FreeA highly controversial new law, which many employers believe will unfairly foster union organizing, requires that employers post notices of employee rights -- including the right to organize, join or discuss the activities of a union. The law goes into effect on November 14, 2011. By Jim Butler More... [301 views] Hold the Pillow Mint, Send up the Yoga MatHotel chains are delivering everything from yoga videos to recumbent bicycles to guests who prefer to work out their jet lag, or shape up for that business meeting, in the privacy of their rooms. By Dorene Internicola More... [373 views] InterContinental Business Holding Up for NowWorld No 1 hotelier InterContinental Hotels said its trading momentum was good in August and September as it had not seen any significant impact from global recession fears and mounting debt concerns in the United States and Europe. By David Jones More... [291 views] Stand Out Luxury HotelsAs a seasoned travel writer and royal journalist, I'm often staying at hotels as I travel the world covering royal weddings, royal tours, film festivals and other assignments. However, not all hotels are equal... By Yvonne Yorke More... [628 views] Do Hotel Breakfasts Cut the Mustard?Years ago when I was a young thing in my twenties, a wealthy client told me that unless he was staying at a five-star luxury hotel, he'd never touch a hotel breakfast when he was travelling. Instead he'd wander the streets and find a café where the locals dined. By Anna Nicholas More... [789 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 13, 2011When 'Because I said so' No Longer WorksIt seems to me that we learn about persuasion at a very early age, particularly when it comes to persuading our superiors. By Jim Hartigan More... [857 views] 5 Steps to Optimizing Your Hotels’ Presence on FoursquareLocation-based services (LBS) such as Foursquare began as a game for exploring the world through your mobile device. But they also give hoteliers a new way to monitor customer activity and guest feedback. If your hotels are not yet participating in this area of the social web, here are five ways to get started.. By Josiah Mackenzie More... [1318 views] The Shifting Sands of Hotel Brand StandardsLike all relationships, the relationship between branded hotel operators or franchise companies (the brand) and hotel owners needs ground rules. As long as both parties agree to the rules and follow them, who can complain? By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® Hotel Lawyers More... [554 views] The Life of a Hotel Doctor: A Medicolegal VisitA guest at a Beverly Hills hotel restaurant was eating lunch when the chair collapsed. Unfortunately, her hand was resting underneath. The desk clerk asked if I could come immediately. By Mike Oppenheim, M.D. More... [419 views] How To Get Insights And Why It's Important That You DoIn simple terms, an insight is defined as follows: 'Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect in a specific context.' By Rajesh Setty More... [308 views] Ex-Googlers Launch Free Interactive Travel Guides for Mobile DevicesIt has emerged that Triposo, a start-up focused on building free, interactive travel guides for mobile devices, has raised $525,000 in seed financing from angel investors. More... [377 views] Marriott Struggles with Edition 'Lifestyle' Hotel BrandIt was supposed to be the brand that would catapult Marriott International into "lifestyle" hotels - the edgy, modern take on luxury - but Edition, some say, has fallen short of expectations. By Danielle Douglas More... [764 views] America's Best Hotels for Fall ColoursChebeague Island is a short ferry ride from the hipster scene in Portland, Maine, but it still moves to a 19th-century tempo. So you can take your time walking among the brilliant fall colors and, when the evening turns cool, cozy up to the fireplace of the Chebeague Island Inn. By Everett Potter More... [270 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 12, 2011Would You Like a Luxury Room With Your Meal?The problem with London hotels in the past wasn't always that the food was unexciting; quite a few hotels had extremely good chefs working for them. No, the problem was that the ambience was unexciting - ancient waiters in dinner jackets, rooms that hadn't been redecorated since the Duke of Wellington's day and a rather starchy feel. By Andrea More... [495 views] Could Social Media Enable The Toppling Of Your CEO?Civilizations have clashed in an unexpected way this year, as ordinary people using Facebook and Twitter knocked down dictators in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya-and are threatening absolute rule in Syria. By David Kirkpatrick More... [387 views] Shame on Us Part 2We in Hospitality are at a very interesting juncture. Everything has changed - our market, our business model, our guests, employees - really soup to nuts. Let's take a look at the big picture, where Hospitality currently operates and a new way of thinking about our business. By John R. Hendrie More... [656 views] In Search of Hotel Excellence: Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad BeachWhat's most appealing about the property is its distinguished quality of guest services. The staff is particularly friendly and ceaselessly helpful. I had the opportunity to discuss this with Bob Moore, the General Manager, to dig into the roots of their continued success. By Larry Mogelonsky More... [851 views] Hotelier of the Week: Andrew FlackSara Turner speaks to Andrew Flack, vice president of global brand marketing for Hilton, about technology, toilets, and the future of hotel design. More... [707 views] Hilton China Hotels to Rise Fourfold by 2014Hilton Worldwide said it will have 100 hotels in China by 2014, four times the number of properties it manages in the country now. By Andreea Papuc More... [410 views] St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Announces Fashion Designer Jason Wu as Next St. Regis ConnoisseurSt. Regis(R) Hotels & Resorts, a part of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc., announces one of the world's most celebrated fashion designers, Jason Wu, as the next St. Regis Connoisseur. Wu, who shares the brand's passion for modern luxury and effortless elegance, will work as an ambassador for St. Regis. More... [291 views] The Mysterious 'V' in My Hotel BathroomWhy it started, we don't know. When it started, we don't know either, but a safe guess would be about 30 years ago. Why it spread? That's the truly fascinating question. By Robert Krulwick More... [2148 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 9, 2011Want Loyalty?-- Get Your Guests Positively Emotional!!!!Oh...what a feeling! Whether this expression comes from Irene Cara in Flashdance, Bad Boys Blue, Van Morrison, Solomon Burke, The Everly Brothers or Crowbar, the concept of" Feelings" and how they move people in all facets of life is really something to sing about! Joy! Excitement! Anger! Anxiety! Confusion, Clarity? Feelings? What role do these and other feelings play in the world of hospitality? By Roberta Nedry More... [934 views] Personalizing Your Hotel SearchSearching for a hotel online has long been limited to plugging in your travel dates and destination and then sifting through star ratings and prices. But there are other factors involved. Is the hotel in a convenient location? Is it child friendly? Will the room have a view of a brick wall or the sea? By Michelle Higgins More... [1026 views] Japan’s Hospitality Industry Post March 11 EarthquakeThis abstract is an overview of the challenges Japan, in particular Tokyo and the hotel industry is confronted with. Its intend is to highlight the problems the hospitality sector is facing and what action ought to be taken to mitigate the financial impact on performance in light of increasing competition in the luxury market and the strengthening of the Yen. By Dietmar Kielnhofer More... [835 views] Seven Mistakes Bosses Make That Drive Employees CrazyIf you're the boss, then you have to make hard decisions that your employees may not understand. Getting them to see your point of view is important, but not always possible. You can't spend all your time coaching and nurturing your staff. If you did, you would neglect your customers and miss marketplace changes. By Julie Rains More... [1978 views] W Hotels Worldwide Takes Innovative Fashion Next Program GlobalHotels Worldwide today kicks off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Lincoln Center with the announcement of the Spring 2012 season of Fashion Next designers. More... [406 views] London Hotels Have the Worst Reputation in EuropeThe hotel price comparison website trivago has put together a ranking of European and British cities according to the online reputation of their hotels, and concludes that out of over 1000 European cities, London has the worst reputation among travellers. More... [639 views] Success for Australian Wines at the International Wine Challenge AwardsAustralia's wines celebrated yesterday, picking up two awards at the International Wine Challenge Awards (IWC) Dinner. More... [489 views] Frank Lloyd Wright's Only Surviving Hotel Reopens in IowaFrank Lloyd Wright fans can now visit the historic Park Inn Hotel in Mason City, Iowa, which reopened this past weekend after an $18 million renovation erased decades of neglect, the Des Moines Register reports. By Barbara De Lollis More... [309 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 8, 2011Four Best Practices for Creating a Customer-Friendly Mobile SiteHere's the basic tenet of feng shui: With the mindful arrangement of objects in relation to one another and in the context of their environment, one can attract positive energy and good fortune, and generally usher in the good. That sounds manageable, right? By Mark Simpson More... [650 views] 19 Tips for Second-Level Social-Media ProgramsSocial Media 2.0 involves more than just building a platform and watching it grow. Several experts participating in a panel held during the recent Southern Lodging Summit @ Memphis said the idea of advanced social media is to focus on the age-old art of conversation. By Jeff Higley More... [519 views] Businesses are Reviving Incentive Travel ProgramsEven during the recession, Jay Hagan refused to stop rewarding his top performers with free hotel stays. More... [282 views] Bedbugs in Hotels: New Data behind the Growing EpidemicThousands of US travelers hoped that the bedbugs wouldn't bite this summer but reports show that they did, at an outstanding rate. In the wake of the 2010 Bedbug Epidemic the number of bedbug reports for 2011 (January 1--September 1) shattered 2010 totals by more than 660%. More... [649 views] The Readers' Travel Awards 2011: The World’s Best SpasYour favourite spa in the UK is C-Side at Cowley Manor in Cheltenham: you expressed a healthy appreciation for its body treatments and facilities. The Spa at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire performed best overall for individual approach, while the best facial treatments can be had at Calcot Spa at Calcot Manor in Gloucestershire. More... [445 views] Has Your CEO Taken Up Karate Yet?Dennis Gomes just wanted to eat dinner. Resorts Casino Hotel's CEO was dining with his wife and friends Friday at Capriccio, one of the property's restaurants. By Dan Good More... [663 views] Sheraton Hotels & Resorts Launches Signature Fitness Program in Asia PacificSheraton Hotels & Resorts Worldwide today announced the official launch of Sheraton Fitness Programmed by Core Performance(R), the brand's revolutionary new health and fitness program, in Asia Pacific. More... [374 views] Hotels.com Campaign Goes To Great HeightsHotels.com is taking its Claymation mascots (and a live-action stuntman) to the extreme to showcase the company's mobile booking application with a new multimedia marketing campaign, featuring a stuntman booking a hotel while falling through the air at 115 mph. By Aaron Baar More... [282 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 7, 2011TripAdvisor Faces ASA Investigation after Review ComplaintsThe ASA is to investigate TripAdvisor over complaints its reviews are not fair or accurate. By Mark Sweney More... [1955 views] Conde Nast Traveller: The Readers' Travel Awards 2011Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa not only won the award for best hotel in the Middle East, Africa & the Indian Ocean, but scored so highly that it made the number one spot in our 'best of the best' Top 100. More... [1492 views] Hotels, and How (Not) to Choose ThemIf there's one thing even more mystifying than the meaning of life itself, it's the success of the TripAdvisor website. Just how bereft of common sense do you have to be to take the advice of anonymous strangers on something as important as a hotel stay? By David Randall More... [747 views] Changes to Facebook Places and What it Means to Your HotelFacebook is revamping its location-based check-in product also know as Places. Starting last Friday, you may have noticed that the 'X check-ins' verbiage has been removed from Places Pages and merged Facebook Pages and has been replaced with 'X were here'. By Amanda Webb More... [773 views] Bathing Beauties – Design Hotels™ Presents Extraordinary Hotel BathroomsIt's not often we get the time to treat ourselves, so bathing is the perfect opportunity to indulge in some ‘me' time! Design HotelsTM presents hotels with bathrooms that go far beyond catering to our basic needs and offer a well-designed place to relax, replenish and play. More... [865 views] Las Vegas: A Tale of Two Hotels'It's disheartening to see the cranes just sitting there with their booms on the ground and nobody on the construction site.' Robert Van Ausdal has worked in the construction business in Las Vegas for fifteen years and has witnessed first-hand the dramatic collapse of the industry. By Jedd Baird More... [334 views] Applications for 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards OpenThe World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is inviting tourism businesses, organisations, and destinations worldwide to apply for its 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. More... [502 views] Top 10 Adventure Travel Destinations You Didn't Know AboutWhere to go on your next trip? So many choices, no? Well, the Adventure Travel Trade Association is out with its newest survey of adventure travel destinations. Some of them, particularly in the developing world, may surprise you. By Andrew Bender More... [612 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 6, 2011On the Move August 2011Global Staff Movements for August 2011 provided by Spectrum International. More... [2909 views] London Boutique Hotels Round-Up – August 2011London has world-class boutique hotels, offering the perfect antidote to high-rise sterility and big-brand anonymity. To help you keep up with the ever-changing scene, we proudly present our monthly round-up of all the latest news from the very best London boutique hotels. More... [760 views] Ten Things You Should be Doing on Your Website but Probably Aren'tNo matter what type of business you're in, a well designed, fully optimised website is a must and for hoteliers it has never been more important. It is effectively a "shop window" to the public through which the hoteliers can attract more business. More... [1793 views] Benchmark Hospitality International's Top Five Dining Trends for 2011Benchmark Hospitality International, a leading U.S.-based hospitality management company, has just released its Top Five Dining Trends for 2011. The trends were observed by its 40 properties coast to coast and off shore, and were announced by Giorgi Di Lemis, vice president of food & beverage. More... [803 views] Interview with Kathleen Doheny of Kensington ToursKensington Tours is a worldwide tour operator specializing in custom-designed group tours for a more personal and rewarding experience. Their phenomenal growth stems from adroit use of electronic communications. For hoteliers who do not know them well, or who have never heard of them, here is an opportunity to learn more about how you can participate in their success. By Larry Mogelonsky More... [578 views] E-Commerce Sales Rise; Website Satisfaction Lowest in YearsiPerceptions Inc. a leading provider of web-focused Voice of Customer (VoC) analytics based on actual visitor feedback, today announced the release of its Retail / E-Commerce Industry Report for Q2 2011. The research found that website visitor satisfaction is declining, citing the failure to streamline website content as the key factor. More... [439 views] New Trends in Spa Treatments Are Tech-Savvy and Hyper-LocalHyperlocal ingredients, a blend of technology and tradition, and treatments focusing not just on beauty but also on remedying stress and pain are some of the trends turning up at spas. More... [539 views] The Most Outrageous Workplace LuxuriesMaking us all more productive at work can be hard for employers-but perks and benefits often ease the battle. By Jacquelyn Smith More... [956 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 5, 2011Shame On Us in HospitalityShame on us in Hospitality. We have plenty of jobs, but everyone keeps on leaving. By John Hendrie More... [1770 views] Hotels & Lodging Industry Outlook September 2011The hotels and lodging industry is finally showing improvements, and seems poised for long-term growth, thanks to the gradual global economic recovery. The industry has been witnessing a return of business travelers and a growing demand for leisure, though concerns about the health of the U.S. economic recovery pose some risks to this outlook. More... [623 views] World's Most Tech-Savvy Boutique HotelsSome travelers want to go back to pre-crackberry times when they're on vacation. There's even a new hotel that asks guests to surrender all gadgets in Pennsylvania. Often times, vacationers want to soak up the sun, listen to the waves and gorge themselves on lobster tails and champagne-without checking-in on Foursquare or snapping photos on Foodspotting. But then there are those always plugged-in travelers, toting the latest gadgetry, seeking hotels that are ahead of the curve, technologically speaking. By Courtney Boyd Myers More... [756 views] Moscow Hotels Remain the Most Expensive for Business TravellersThe average Moscow room rate from January to June this year cost £261, compared to £228 in Geneva and £220 in Zurich. By Sean O'Hare More... [499 views] East Coast Hoteliers Seek Normalcy after IreneIt was an interesting first week on the job for Jeff Wardlaw, interim GM at The Heldrich hotel in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Wardlaw, an employee of Benchmark Hospitality, took over management of the 248-room hotel on Monday and a day later learned a Category 3 hurricane was headed his direction, expected to touch land by the weekend. By Jason Q.Freed More... [205 views] Hotelier of the Week - Astra GoodeSara Turner speaks to Astra Goode, general manager of the new Birmingham Central Bull Ring Travelodge, about her 10-year career with the budget hotel chain. More... [502 views] Maid Service for a Year? Microtel Hotels Giving Away Guests' Favorite AmenitiesTravelers across the United States are getting a chance to bring home a slew of their favorite hotel amenities -- from flat screen televisions and free Internet access to maid service and more -- thanks to the Microtel Inns & Suites(R) hotel brand and its "A better place to stay(R) Sweepstakes." More... [596 views] The Boss Takes a Pay Cut, PartiallyThe latest HVS Pay-for-Performance index indicates that CEOs negotiated smaller salaries or declined salary increases in favor of more bonus pay. By Keith Kefgen and Andrew R Hazelton More... [362 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 2, 2011Marriott Returns to Seized Hawaii HotelMarriott International Inc (NYSE: MAR) says the owners of the Waikiki Edition hotel have been ordered by a New York judge to return the hotel to Marriott's control as of 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. By Barton Eckert More... [802 views] Hotel Survey Shows Increasing Global Hotel RatesClients urged to maintain control of hotel programmes moving forward.... More... [750 views] Are Tiny Plastic Toiletries Bottles on Their Way Out of Hotels?Hotels are starting to replace mini plastic toiletry bottles with larger bottles as consumers demand greener options, and it's a trend that will likely grow. By Barbara De Lollis More... [1062 views] The Happiest Hotels to Work InCareerBliss, the leading online career community geared towards helping people find joy and success at every step of their careers, announces the Top Ten Happiest Hotels to Work. Leading the way in employee happiness is the hotelier Hyatt, followed by Marriott and Accor North America, which round out the top ten. More... [2788 views] Why Did Hotel Le Bleu Charge $999 for a Room During Irene?Well, it turns out Hotel Le Bleu is just French for "The Blue Hotel," not "that morally bankrupt bluish hotel on Fourth Avenue..." After someone from Hotel Le Bleu left us a comment claiming that they did not actually charge $999 for a single night during Tropical Storm Irene and the whole thing was a huge mistake, we contacted them to find out what exactly happened. By Ross Barkan More... [838 views] Audit: Many Grand America Employees Lack Documentation to WorkA Department of Homeland Security audit has determined that an unspecified number of employees at the Grand America hotel lack valid documentation to work in the United States. By Marjorie Cortez More... [281 views] IHG to Crowne Plaza Owners: 'Move Up of Move Out'Already entrenched in rolling out a renewed focus that includes an emphasis on staff training and an improved bedding program for the Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand, InterContinental Hotels Group has announced a goal to reposition the brand to the upper-upscale segment. By Jason Q. Freed More... [830 views] Online Toolkit Set to Help Hotels Reduce Energy Footprint and CostsFollowing three years of testing and extensive research, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and its partners have launched an online tool to help hotels evaluate their energy consumption and assist in improving their energy management and cutting costs. More... [444 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: September 1, 2011A Stigma Lifts for Luxury HotelsTwo years ago, corporations clamped down on employee travel and canceled meetings in droves. The chilling effect was most pronounced at luxury hotels, which were eschewed entirely by many companies in the wake of the disclosures about a lavish retreat held by the American International Group right after it accepted a government bailout. By Martha C. White More... [644 views] Live-In General Managers: True Work-Life BalanceThey call it "living in"-hotel general managers who live in their properties full time for an extended period-and not just when they are relocating to a new position. By Harvey Chipkin More... [1608 views] Hotels Collaborate on Common Carbon StandardsLeading hoteliers are working to develop common standards to calculate and report on the international tourism industry's carbon emissions with the aim of having the first ones in place by early 2012. More... [415 views] Top Five Movie-Themed HotelsThe Lord of the Rings prequel movie - ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' - is due for release in 2012, but in the meantime fans of Tolkien's little rascals can now relive their favourite miniature moments for a few magical days. More... [698 views] Single-Room Occupancy Hotels DisappearingBob Covel has been a fixture at the Belair Hotel for 36 years. Blind and living on a fixed income, Covel always found the single-room occupancy building a good fit, even as it fell into disrepair and became home in recent years to a more itinerant clientele. By Rex W. Huppke More... [555 views] Travellers Charged $1000 by Hotel in Hurricane's WakeWhile Hurricane Irene didn't do as much damage to major cities like New York as forecasters had feared, some unlucky travelers found that the storm packed a hefty wallop to their wallets, thanks to some hotels that saw the storm as an opportunity to rake in some extra cash. By Martha C. White More... [769 views] Lessons In Brand BuildingSteven Pan chairs Formosa International Hotels, Taiwan's biggest listed hotel operator). He expects gains from a "peace" dividend--a recent relaxation of rules that allow individual mainlanders to come to Taiwan on business. Last year 1.6 million came in groups from the PRC, surpassing traffic from Japan. Pan's company also has a popular restaurant at the National Palace Museum. By Joyce Huang More... [479 views] |
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