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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 30, 2012Hotel Industry News In BriefHospitality industry news in brief................... More... [594 views] Strategic Revenue Management and the Role of Competitive Price ShiftingBy Cathy A. Enz Ph.D., Linda Canina Ph.D., and Breffni Noone Ph.D: This paper examines whether stable competitive pricing positions yield better average annual RevPAR growth than do price shifts either upward or downward, as compared to competitors’ positions. More... [1207 views] Asian Hotels Raising Luxury Care to 'Staggering' LevelsBy Lisa Allen: The new breed of hotelier, particularly in Asia, is continually raising the bar on service and amenities, according to Brett Tollman, president of The Travel Corporation, owner of luxury hotels and Trafalgar Tours. More... [1406 views] Networking Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re MakingBy Diane Kulseth: Whether you’re looking for a job or not, you’ve probably been encouraged to “network, network, network!” more times than you can count. Are all those conferences and events you’re attending leading to new connections or opportunities? No? You’re not the only one. The good news: it’s not that hard to fix. Here’s what you might not even realize you’re doing wrong—and what to do about it. More... [885 views] Eight Luxury Travel Trends for Summer 2012By Annie Fitzsimmons: Most of these trends aren’t groundbreaking, but are still at the forefront for luxury travel demand in Summer 2012. More... [836 views] French and Russians Still the Rudest, Chinese Placed FifthA poll conducted by international travel search site Skyscanner reveals the French have taken the title as the rudest nation in the world. More... [1277 views] iPad Revolutionizes Iconic Hotel Bel-Air's Room ServiceBy Barbara De Lollis: These days, at the Bel-Air, 75% of people who order room service place their order via the iPad included in their room. More... [615 views] HotStats European Chain Hotels Market Review – March 2012European hoteliers struggle to convert revenue to profit as costs rise. More... [319 views] Resort Goes Nude to Pay the BillsThe resort's owner, Paul Hodge said his hotel was in such financial straits that he was close to being left with only the clothes on his back. But now he expects people to take theirs off to help save the 32-room hotel. More... [768 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2012Is the Social Concierge the Answer for Hotel Social Marketing?What do consumers want out of hotel social marketing? This article points out five simple tips for hoteliers that want to infuse their social presence with an "engagement" shot by turning their social presence into a social concierge. More... [1277 views] All May Not Be What it Seems…By Enda Larkin: The obvious answer isn’t always the right one. And that got me thinking about problem-solving in general; and particularly how we all have unintentional ‘blinkers’ which prevent us from making effective decisions. Some of these blinkers are discussed here. More... [740 views] Top 10 Hospitality Industry TrendsBy Robert Rauch: The year 2011 was a great one for the hospitality industry. Moreover, the year 2012 is predicted to be even brighter year for hotels. Tourism-Review.com presents the top hospitality industry trends for 2012. More... [1342 views] Social Media Activities for Your Next Training SessionBy Sharlyn Lauby: Is it prudent to allow technology devices in the training room? One school of thought is that there should be absolutely no distraction—technology won’t be tolerated. But a new way of thinking is to encourage smartphones, laptops and tablets - make them a part of the session. More... [502 views] AH&LA Testifies in Support of Reasonable Pool EntryAH&LA called on the Justice Department to withdraw the January 31, 3012, reinterpretation of the 2010 Standards and replace it with a guidance that allows the use of portable lifts that can be brought out upon request and shared between two pools or a pool and a spa in the same area. More... [200 views] High-Tech Hotels a Hit with Geeky GuestsBy Tim Hume: The paucity of hotel tech offerings, particularly when it comes to internet access, has become a common bugbear for guests — with many objecting to paying a hefty surcharge for a service they'd get for the price of a latte in a local coffee shop. More... [2270 views] Hyatt Addresses Top Revenue-Management IssuesBy Jason Q. Freed: Whether revenue management is an art or a science — or a combination of both — is up for debate among many in the hotel industry. Greg Cross, senior VP of revenue management for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, doesn’t see it as either. More... [668 views] Top 10 Hotels and B&Bs in Buenos Aires — From Budget to BoutiqueBy Vicky Baker: Buenos Aires is not the bargain basement of a decade ago, but you can still stay in style while still leaving enough pesos to enjoy the nightlife. Here are 10 characterful hotels and B&Bs. More... [233 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 2012How Great Leaders Appreciate Their EmployeesBy Gaby Feile: A lot has been written about what motivates people most at work. Surveys repeatedly reveal that it is not money that makes employees feel valued. The majority of the employees are looking for appreciation and recognition in their job. And well, mostly they want it from their boss! More... [4279 views] Treating Guests As Friends In The Extended-Stay IndustryBy Michelle Shumate: We cannot think that a standard check-in routine meets the needs of every customer, and I believe that by focusing on cleanliness and speedy check-in procedures only, we have forgotten to meet the many other needs of guests such as finding directions to their meetings, surrounding attractions or events, and restaurants. Furthermore, our guests have an even greater need that we fail to thoroughly address – we have forgotten their desire for personal assistance. More... [617 views] Everyone Loves Pizza: Easy Innovation in the KitchenBy Larry Mogelonsky: Recently what I've found is a trend towards standardization of onsite eateries. Every hotel restaurant I visit seems to offer the same general assortment: salads, pasta, burgers, pizza and a few meat entrees. It's rare that I find anything new or bold. More... [619 views] Les Clefs d'Or World Leadership Interview Series: Robert Gaymer-Jones, Chief Executive Officer, Sofitel Luxury HotelsBy Roberta Nedry: Mr. Gaymer-Jones shares Sofitel's priority to have at least one member of Les Clefs d'Or in each Sofitel Luxury hotel property. He talks about their focus on "service from the heart" and how personalized service at a more intimate level is one way in which Sofitel is differentiating itself in the luxury hotel market. More... [363 views] Five Ways Coaches and Experts Can Hurt Your BusinessBy Mike Michalowicz: The main problem with experts today is that everyone seems to be one. Separate the good from the bad by watching for the following five warning signs. More... [480 views] Hotel Hiring Rebounds as U.S. Tourism Overcomes SlumpBy Anna-Louise Jackson and Anthony Feld: “With more people on the road, we’ll need more people working in hotels,” said Jan Freitag, a senior vice president at Smith Travel Research Inc. He cited a 4.1 percent increase in first-quarter hotel bookings from a year ago as a “very positive sign” that U.S. tourism is rebounding. More... [231 views] Rebuilding Haiti’s Tourism IndustryNow, a couple of years after the earthquake that ravaged its islands back in 2010 and destroyed much of the country's capital's infrastructure and livelihood, things are finally looking hopeful for Haiti and its people. More... [368 views] STR Reports Global Hotel Performances for March 2012Data compiled by STR Global highlights RevPAR and occupancy rates throughout the world. More... [602 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2012The "It” Factor in Service...How Does the Information Technology Team Fit into Today’s Guest Experience?By Roberta Nedry: The IT or technology team is not always on the front line of attention when it comes to Guest Service skills. Their roles and guest demand for technology services has increased and is going up and yet, guest service may not be a priority in this department. How can these team members be better prepared for making the service excellence difference? More... [710 views] Need PR and Marketing Help? Ask Away! Q&A with Jennifer Nagy of jlnprBy Jennifer Nagy: Question: What is Pinterest and how does it work? More... [447 views] Are Travel Agents Back?By Michelle Higgins: An improving economy and the corporate travel that goes with it seem to be converging with a population for whom booking travel online has become increasingly onerous and time-consuming. Just how time-consuming? More... [502 views] How to Maintain a Singular Focus and Maximize Your ProductivityBy Carla Young: Think you get more done by running your day like a three-ring circus act, juggling 10 things at once like most business owners do? Think again. More... [487 views] Spa Travel: Increasing Options for Children at Hotel SpasBy Heather Greenwood Davis: Most spas only cater to an over 16 crowd and those that do cater to younger clientele tend to limit treatments to pedicures, manicures and hair braiding. But times are changing. More... [410 views] Marriott Set to Complete Renovation of 500th Courtyard HotelBy Danielle Douglas: Select-service hotels such as Courtyard -- those that offer few frills and little to no food or beverage -- are enjoying a surge in demand from investors and budget-conscious business travelers. The once vanilla niche has evolved into an increasingly competitive segment that has brand operators and hotel owners jockeying for a position out in front. More... [216 views] Keep Innovating and Never Let Your Brand Go StaleBy Tom Marchant: It seems innovation is the name of the game and a subject of great discussion and debate at the moment in the digital travel space. And never has it been more crucial than when it comes to website development. But so often, travel brands do not embrace new technologies and change at the same pace as other industry sectors. More... [456 views] Classic Paris Hotels Close For FaceliftsBy Hayley Bosch: Get ready to say au revoir to some of Paris' most famous luxury hotels-but not forever. Both Ritz Paris and Hôtel de Crillon will be closing their doors for two years for complete renovations-overhauling the ornate-but-tired spaces to keep up with the city's spate of new hotels from international luxury chains. More... [475 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 24, 2012The Memorable Experience Starts with the Relationship You CreateBy John Hendrie: We and our guest can go through a day where the only human contact is when we pick up our hamburger order at the fast food window. We can bank, get our laundry, shop on-line and have phone sex and not see another human being. To have a person actually talk with us, care for us, treat us well, attend to our needs personally - what a marketing edge that would be. More... [988 views] Ten Questions for A Solid Web Site FoundationBy Larry Mogelonsky: I imagine that your house was built on a solid foundation. So too should your website! By utilizing this as checklist for deciding which direction to take, you'll be able to help yourself get the website that meets your business needs. More... [702 views] 2012 Virtuoso Luxe Report Shows High-End Travellers Crave Unchartered TerritoryLeading luxury travel network, Virtuoso® unveiled the much anticipated 2012 Virtuoso Luxe Report. More... [652 views] Five Ways to Build Meaningful Customer RelationshipsBy Janine Popick: There are five core principles related to customer interaction that I want to share. While some may seem obvious, you'd be surprised how easily they can fall by the wayside. Consider this a refresher on how to build meaningful relationships with your customers. More... [1407 views] Outrageous Hidden Hotel FeesBy Oyster: When you book your next hotel room, the rate you're quoted may not be what you actually pay. In some places, add-ons for services like room service or fees to just stay at the resort can add up. We dug up some hidden fees to watch out for on your next trip. More... [767 views] Travellers Want To Be More Eco-Friendly, Says TripAdvisor Survey, But Hotels Need To Do MoreBy Jessica Marati: According to a new survey from TripAdvisor, 71 percent of travelers say they plan to make more "eco-friendly" travel decisions in the next 12 months, compared to 65 percent in the past 12 months. But with varying opinions on what constitutes eco-friendly anything these days, what does that mean? More... [738 views] Hotel Rooms With a View Of Photography ShowsBy Shivani Vora: Dozens of hotels have notable art collections, but a few are focusing specifically on photography, with shows that wouldn't be out of place at a gallery. Here are some choice picks. More... [340 views] Hotels Of The FutureBy Beth Greenfield: Here are seven places with some architecturally stunning hotels in their future. More... [730 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 23, 2012Hotel Industry News In BriefHospitality industry news in brief................... More... [729 views] Marketing Hotels as Places Full of Fun and DiscoveryBy Jane L. Levere: Renaissance, a hotel brand owned by Marriott International, and Revel, a new resort and casino in Atlantic City, are running lifestyle campaigns intended to attract young, hip guests. More... [384 views] How To Find Hotel Social Media Superfans in 3 Easy StepsBy Are Morch: In Social Media terms, a new expression has evolved for the ideal customer. This expression is Superfans. Who are they? Where are they? Why should Hotels connect with them? More... [956 views] The New Perks of First-Class TravelBy Eileen Gunn: Here is a round-up of some of the more interesting and helpful perks you can take advantage of if you have the money or points to travel first class. More... [406 views] What a Strong Brand Does for a Small BusinessBy Denise Lee Yohn: By “brand,” I don’t mean your logo or a catchy tagline. Your brand is the unique bundle of attributes and values that define the product or service you deliver to customers. Simply put, your brand is the unique way your company does business. Here is how having a strong brand can be beneficial. More... [681 views] Hospitality Technology Reveals 2012 Visionary Award WinnersHospitality Technology magazine has named the winners of the 2012 Visionary Awards. Every year, HT presents a select group of lodging companies with accolades for outstanding achievement in delivering technological excellence. More... [574 views] Jazz Clubs Are The Newest Trend For Luxe HotelsThe speakeasy trend may be old news, but we’ve spied a new fad emerging that embraces the current craze for all things 1920s: jazz clubs tucked within luxury hotels. From New Orleans to Shanghai, travellers looking for jazz can check out these five hotels… More... [603 views] Global Hotel Inventory Reaches 13.4 Million RoomsAccording to the Census database from STR Global, the total global hotel inventory has increased by more than 2,315,000 daily rooms since 2000 to reach 13,443,014 rooms as of February 2012. More... [645 views] Where to Match Your Hotel to Your OutfitBy Michael Martin: In a crowded marketplace of international hotel chains it can often be little more than a name - a fashion name - that might oust even the most famous brands from the top slot. More... [322 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2012Hotel Website Analytics: Is There Such Thing as Free Lunch?By Adam Hammock and Lindsay Denninger: We consistently receive numerous questions from hoteliers concerning just how to most efficiently track and measure the ROI of online marketing efforts, right down to the reservation process. What metrics should hoteliers measure and pay attention to? What are the best practices in measuring ROI from the hotel’s marketing efforts? Or ROI from the hotel website? What are the best analytical tools out there? More... [532 views] Why All the Locals Are Lounging in the Hotel LobbyBy Alina Dizik: Hoteliers say they like a lobby that is abuzz with locals doing business or kicking back, and out-of-town guests like the local feel, too. "The most boring thing in the world is to go to a hotel restaurant and a hotel bar that only hotel guests go to," says Ian Schrager. More... [702 views] The Best and Worst Hotel TrendsBy Monica Kim: Remember when hotels didn’t have pillowtop beds…or rain showers…or turndown gifts? We do. Here, the 10 best hotel innovations from the past decades—just try to imagine your hotel stay without them (it’s not easy). More... [1503 views] Privacy vs. Security in the WorkplaceBy Emma Luevano: Here are some guidelines that have recently evolved to maintain the balance between workplace safety and employee privacy. More... [319 views] Why Are We Still Paying for Hotel Wi-Fi?By Ayesha Durgahee: For many hotel guests, paying for Wi-Fi is an outdated charge that you only get wind of when you're up in your room. Now that mobile phones have rendered hotel room phones largely obsolete, Wi-Fi is the new bugbear for today's traveller. More... [897 views] Hotels Try to Slow Pool Access RegulationsBy Russ Bynum: Some hotels fear the cost of the equipment or fines for noncompliance could put them out of business, and an industry lobbyist says others may close their pools this summer if they can't upgrade in time, though the government can offer more time to those having trouble paying for it. Swimmers with disabilities say the changes are overdue. More... [231 views] Poll Results: Why Guests Tweet A HotelBy Barbara De Lollis: USA TODAY's Hotel Check-In last week polled readers about what they expect from their hotel's social media accounts, giving them five choices - and the results are in! More... [598 views] Paul Fischmann — The Story of a HotelierBy Cara Waters: Paul Fischmann ditched university to run backpacker hostels and now owns 8 Hotels, a group of 18 boutique hotels with revenue of over $50 million a year. More... [629 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2012Give More to Get More…By Enda Larkin: Effective mentoring makes a positive contribution to both individual and business performance and various studies over the years have identified the following benefits… More... [547 views] Pinterest - The Value Of Pinterest to Hotel Sales & MarketingBy Carol Verret: In February Pinterest drove more traffic to websites than Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn (LNKD), and YouTube combined. Is Pinterest just the latest ‘shiny new toy’ or will it have staying power? More... [1960 views] Les Clefs d'Or World Leadership Interview Series: Paul James, Global Brand Leader, Starwood Hotels and ResortsBy Roberta Nedry: Paul James, Global Brand Leader for Starwood Hotels and Resorts, explains to Roberta Nedry, President, Hospitality Excellence, how the Les Clefs d'Or concierge role has emerged as a natural fit for their social media strategy and how " concierge-led" programming has triggered stronger relationships with guests. More... [465 views] Checking In? Hidden Ways Hotels Court Guests FasterBy Andrea Petersen: Hotels are amping up their efforts to make a good first impression. Hotels go to new lengths to impress guests within the first 15 minutes that they walk in, or before they can complain via social media. The goal: Dazzle guests during the first, crucial 15 minutes of their stay—or at least avoid annoying them. More... [638 views] Five Steps to Profitable PricingBy Carl Natale: "Most small businesses are afraid to charge what it's really worth," says Andrew Gregson, author of Pricing Strategies for Small Business. Customers tell small business owners that prices are too high, so business owners respond by dropping prices—until they don't make any money. To avoid that fate, here are five steps that will help small business owners price products profitably. More... [682 views] A Little Kinky, a Lot Weird: China's 'Out There' Hotel FeaturesBy Jade Bremner: China is building the world’s highest hotel. And one of the lowest. And the country's hoteliers are also incorporating some truly weird features in their properties. And here - in no particular order - are 10 of the most bizarre picks. More... [675 views] Three Hotel Marketing Myths, and the Truth Behind ThemBy John McAuliffe: As hotel marketers attempt to navigate the complicated web they are bombarded with misinformation about how to succeed. In this article we will identify and explore these myths and reveal the truths behind them. More... [570 views] Five Luxury Hotels That Know How To Keep Kids EntertainedBy Morgan Lord: The best kid amenities at luxury hotels offer far more than family-friendly pools and kid-friendly dining menus. More... [571 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2012Should You Have Your Own In-House Social Media Manager?By Larry Mogelonsky: The integration of social media into your website has become paramount for enhancing organic SEO. But beyond that it is often difficult for social media activities to be directly quantified into a specific return on investment. And without a measurable return, how do you rationalize the direct labor cost in hiring an in-house social media manager? More... [1264 views] Six Things to Look For When Analyzing your CompetitionBy Steven Lieu: One important part of developing a successful hotel marketing plan is to size up your hotel's marketing strategy to that of your competitor's. Below are 6 areas every hotelier should analyze for better competitive edge. More... [1627 views] Overcoming “a Constant Feeling of Crisis” as a Travel CompanyBy Ritesh Gupta: Crisis is a constant these days it seems, thanks to natural and geo-political causes, says Stu Lloyd, senior director - Marketing and Membership Services, Pacific Asia Travel Association. The travel industry needs to prepare itself and find ways to bounce back in a more timely manner without further punishing affected destinations. More... [246 views] Quick Tips for Growing Your Business on TwitterBy Courtney Rubin: Twitter is aiming to help small businesses use their 140-character messages more effectively with a new 20-page guide. More... [660 views] The World's Top 10 Scenic WorkoutsHow about packing some workout clothes on your next trip? To help you find some spots that are both beautiful and conducive to exercise, the members and editors of travel website VirtualTourist.com have compiled a list of the Top 10 Most Scenic Workouts. More... [323 views] Want to Learn to Play Chess, Mix a Drink? Check into a HotelBy Nancy Trejos: Some hotels are starting to feel like college campuses. Many have instructors to teach guests how to play chess, make pottery, mix a drink, cook and do any number of other activities, including teaching kids how to behave. More... [380 views] Reserve Rooms while Driving and Open Guestroom Locks with Car KeysVingCard Elsafe, the global leader in hospitality security and part of the ASSA ABLOY Group, has partnered with BMW Group, manufacturer of premium automobiles, on the development of revolutionary technology that will enable drivers to book hotel rooms on the go and then access their guestrooms using their car keys. More... [458 views] Conde Nast Traveler Unveils 16th Annual Hot List: The Best New Hotels and Resorts, Spas, and Restaurants in the WorldBy Conde Nast Traveler: Of the thousands of new properties that opened in the last year, Conde Nast editors travelled incognito to 49 countries to visit 172 new hotels, evaluating each on a standard set of criteria including service, food, atmosphere and amenities. Their mission? To discover the best in the world. This year, 121 made the cut. More... [795 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 17, 2012Independently Operated Hotels, Branded or Not, Here is a Guaranteed Way to Make More Money!By Gavin Landry: Hotel A was caught in the classic downward business spiral. Demand had softened so they were seeing less revenue. Because they were seeing less revenue, they stopped spending money on operations and stopped reinvesting in the hotel's offerings. Because they stopped investing in the hotel, clients were less impressed by the property and they lost even more market share. And so it went. More... [1150 views] Hotel Minibar Paradise – A WishlistBy Andrea: Something in us says that £2 for a Mars Bar is just too much - we're being had, someone is trying it on. And even with those prices, apparently hotels don't actually make any money out of the minibars. More... [1480 views] Mobile, Facebook, TripAdvisor – But What About Google?By Martin Kelly: The three forces transforming travel are mobile, Facebook and, no surprise here, TripAdvisor. Hard to argue with any of these but for mine there is a big omission. Google. More... [533 views] What It Means to Really ListenBy Stephen Shapiro: We are naturally wired to filter and interpret information to conform to our underlying belief structures. And very simply put, these beliefs cloud how we hear. We only take in those pieces of information that align with our beliefs, and we disregard anything that contradicts them. As a small business owner, this can have a profound impact on your success if you're not hearing the true meaning of what your customers and colleagues are saying. More... [1014 views] Steep Airfares to Europe are Sending Travellers to Other DestinationsBy Scott McCartney: Summer vacationers planning a trip across the pond are seeing sky-high prices in many European cities, with airfares 11% higher, on average, than 2011, according to searches on online travel agency Kayak.com. More... [438 views] Upwardly Mobile?By Alex Blyth:Why has the take-up of smartphone and tablet tech by travel buyers not been as high as expected? Alex Blyth asks the experts for answers. More... [211 views] Hotels’ Liability Iffy for Theft, Damage to GoodsBy Kurt Ludlow:If belongings are stolen from your hotel room or damaged in some way, don't assume that you're entitled to full compensation. More... [274 views] Dissecting the Hotel Hype MachineBy Christopher Eliott: "Five-Star" hotels? "All-Inclusive" Cruises? A Consumer Advocate dissects the travel industry's most exaggerated claims. More... [321 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 16, 2012Hotel Industry News In BriefMore... [1135 views] Hotel Fans Don't Equal Facebook "Likes"Back in the fall of 2009, "getting fans" on Facebook was all the rage. Hotel marketing managers looked at Facebook as a tool to engage consumers and creating brand ambassadors, and their preferred metric was the number of fans or "likes". Soon after, they realized that getting fans is actually pretty easy, as long as you have dollars to spend. Just advertise appropriately and your fan base will grow. More... [1111 views] SEO Tips for Social VenturesBy Elaine Pofeldt: Your social venture may be doing great things to change the world—while you turn a profit. But it will be hard to meet your goals if customers can't find you, especially if you're online. You can maximize your web presence through search engine optimization, or SEO. “It increases brand awareness, generates new leads and helps you with your reputation…” More... [421 views] Experience: The Great Play of the New HospitalityBy Osvaldo Torres Cruz: As I mentioned in other articles, Experiential Hospitality is based on the design of positive holistic experiences on the guests. This design is very much determined by emotional and behavioral patterns of every guest in particular. It has been demonstrated that the success of these designs significantly influences the level of relations established between the Experience Managers, namely, the human resources of the Hotel (especially personnel having maximum contact with the guest) and clients. More... [854 views] TripAdvisor Unveils 2012 Travellers' Choice Hotels for Families in Asia/Pacific RegionTripAdvisor™, the world's largest travel site*, today announced its 2012 Travellers' Choice® award-winning Hotels for Families. This year, 504 top family-friendly properties were recognised in 25 markets around the globe including Asia, Australia, the South Pacific, Africa, Caribbean, Europe and the U.S. More... [409 views] Caribbean Cruise Ships – The Imbalance of Risk / Reward and A Trojan HorseBy Robert MacLellan: April’s annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference in Puerto Rico provides a highly appropriate time and venue to raise questions about the future of the cruise industry in the Caribbean and its impact on the region’s hotel sector. More... [211 views] How Will Space Tourism Work?By Hamza Bendemra: Virgin Galactic isn’t the only company looking at ways to offer space travel to the masses. Insiders forecast that commercial space aviation could be a US$1 billion industry. More... [560 views] Ultimate Around The World Fantasy Trip With Four Seasons HotelsBy Larry Olmsted: “Once in a lifetime” is an expression that is way overused in the travel business. But this time it is for real. I’m talking about a trip so over-the-top, so one-of-a-kind, and so luxurious, that it has never been attempted before. Or to paraphrase Jaws, “We’re going to need a bigger Bucket List.” More... [514 views] Revenue managers adapt to longer lead timesBy Jason Q. Freed: Booking windows continue to lengthen, shifting direction in 2011 and steadily increasing on both the business and leisure sides through the first quarter of 2012, according to data from Pegasus Solutions. More... [684 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2012On the Move March 2012Global Staff Movements for March 2012 provided by Spectrum International. More... [1077 views] Do Business Travelers Pick by Price?By David Juman: Despite the belief that business travelers tend to disregard price when the company is footing the bill, a recent report from PhoCusWright finds that cost remains an important factor in travel planning, both for travelers who are guided by a corporate travel policy and those who are not. More... [765 views] Preferred Hotel Group Prefers the CloudBy Christine Burns: If you've ever stayed at the Trump International Hotel and Tower in Chicago, the Chancery Court Hotel in London or the Keio Plaza Hotel in Tokyo, then the Preferred Hotel Group handled your reservation, delivered technology-driven guest services and took care of a variety of other behind-the-scenes functions. More... [576 views] The 10 Mistakes Most Likely to Get You SuedBy Courtney Rubin: You may be violating an employment law just by trying to be nice to your employees, says a new report. More... [935 views] Hospitality Industry’s Best Practices for a Green Supply ChainBy Bill Roth: Consumers are using services like Travelocity’s Green Hotel Directory to search for hotels that offer a cleaner and healthier overnight experience. This shift in consumer expectations is a challenge for an industry that currently only scores a 19 out of 100 on the Climate Count scorecard. Climate Count did rank Marriott highest among hospitality companies on their 2010-11 Climate Count Scorecard with a 78 score. Another industry leader, Hilton Worldwide, has achieved ISO 14001:2004 (Environmental Management) certification representing the largest-ever volume certification of commercial buildings across any industry. More... [337 views] Embassy Suites Hotel Seattle North/Lynnwood Announces Sustainability EffortsThe Embassy Suites Hotel Seattle North/Lynnwood hotel has partnered with Hilton Hotels Corporation – the first major multi-brand company in the hospitality industry to make sustainability measurement and improvement a brand standard - through the use of LightStay. More... [142 views] Marriott Puts An End To Shady Ad Injection ServiceBy Devin Coldewey: Late last week, one Justin Watt discovered something suspicious going on with the Wi-Fi at his hotel, the Times Square Marriott. Not content to charge him hundreds for the room and $16.95 for internet access, it appeared that the service provider was using JavaScript injection to serve banner ads on every website guests visited. More... [295 views] TripAdvisor Names Woodloch Pines One of the Best Family Resorts in the WorldWoodloch Pines, an all-inclusive family resort located in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, has been selected by TripAdvisor as the sixth best large hotel and resort for families in the United States and the 15th best in the world. More... [212 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 201228 Link Building Ideas For Online Hotel Marketers to Get New CustomersDo you have a website you are trying to market online? Do you want to get more paying customers? If you answered yes to these two questions, this article is for you. More... [643 views] Are You Ready to Rock? Successful Group Projects in the WorkplaceBy Tommy Taylor: A group can be bursting with raw talent, groundbreaking new ideas, and fame and fortune; but if some basic, foundational guidelines for group work are not followed, it’s going to be hard to successfully sustain any sort of momentum. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some tips for successful group projects in the workplace. More... [466 views] The Life of a Hotel Doctor: A Second OpinionThe life of a hotel doctor: a second opinion. More... [345 views] The ABC's of Converting Social Media Into Word-of-Mouth MarketingBy Dan Schawbel: Social media is best served to initiate conversations between company and consumer. It is through these conversations that you would like to convert into sales. The way to do that is to take your virtual 2-D relationship, and transfer that into the physical 3-D world. Here are the ABC’s to converting your social media to word-of-mouth. More... [489 views] Five Hotel Chains That Provide Amazing WiFi Service For GuestsWith free WiFi voted the most desirable hotel ammenity, here is a list of hotels delivering the goods. More... [1250 views] The World's Rudest Nations For TravellersBy Andrew Bender: The travel search site Skyscanner.com surveyed its users about where the locals never smile and people are particularly unfriendly, and the nation with the most votes for rudest locals was… More... [1704 views] Tablet Rethinks Hotels With Social Design CompetitionEntrants must create the ultimate social hotel — not just a photogenic lobby or a highly exclusive nightclub but a hotel that's a true creative crossroads, where guests and locals alike make serendipitous connections of all kinds. More... [563 views] Titanic's Wealthiest Passenger Built NYC HotelA century after the Titanic sank, the legacy of the ship's wealthiest and most famous passenger lives on quietly at the luxury hotel he built in New York City. More... [655 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2012Facebook for Hotels Beyond the Basics: Being FunBy Larry Mogelonsky: Attention everyone! Class is now in session. For those of you expecting a freshman introduction on social media for hotels, kindly exit at the back of the lecture hall. This is not a quick tips and tricks seminar for those who want just a ‘presence' online. This is a sophomore lesson on how to extend your Internet branding the right way. More... [896 views] Will the Hospitality Industry Tango with Tingo?By Max Starkov: The press release announcing the launch of Tingo.com had the provocative title: "Travelers Overpaid Millions for Hotel Rooms in 2011: Tingo Comes to the Rescue." It makes the industry look like a bunch of corporate thieves who are cheating and overcharging the traveling public to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars. Tingo.com to the rescue, indeed! More... [764 views] Hotel Guests Want Wi-Fi the MostAccording to a new survey by Hotels.com, hotel guests would rather have wi-fi over an iPod dock, high-end coffee maker, video game system or workout DVDs/equipment. More... [2331 views] Book of the Month: ‘South Beach: Stories of a Renaissance’ By Charles J. Kropke and Eleanor GoldsteinBy Charles J. Kropke and Eleanor Goldstein: Without question, South Beach is the hottest destination in America, drawing millions of visitors annually from around the world. It's a unique community filled with famous celebrities, trendy outdoor cafes and shops, historic Art Deco architecture and hidden treasures for visitors and residents alike. Now, a lavishly illustrated landmark book puts it all at your fingertips. More... [306 views] Three Ways Events Can Enhance Your Brand's Online PresenceBy Christine Erickson: "Everyone's looking at how to get their content at an event to live outside of the event," says BizBash Editor-in-chief Chad Kaydo. "It's not just about the two to three hours at the party, they want something that extends the life of the brand." Here are three ways you can maximize your event's effect on your online presence…
More... [454 views] World's Most Outrageous Hotel AmenitiesBy Amanda Pressner: Now that ultra-plush bathrobes, high-thread-count linens and designer toiletries are de rigueur at upscale hotels, top properties are offering innovative and extravagant perks to ensure a distinctive experience. More... [1388 views] Pop-Up Hotels Have Moveable EdgeBy Gill Plimmer: These pop-up hotel rooms can be built or taken away in as little as three days and can be stacked one on top of the other when space proves tight. More... [401 views] Top Five Luxury Hotels Still Available During The OlympicsBy John M. Clarke Jr.: While many hotels have been eaten up by group ticket sales which take up entire hotels and leave many places bulleted with blocked-out days of availability - there are still some luxe spots to be found. More... [434 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 10, 2012Staying Ahead of "The Social Media Curve"By Tom Costello: It is often said that hoteliers and restauranteurs are "two years behind the curve" as it relates to social media but in today's marketplace they can't afford to overlook the importance of social media and the influence that it has on prospective customers. More... [1052 views] Five Clever Ways to Get the Dirt on Your HotelBy Caroline Costello: Hotels, like life and boxes of chocolate, are unpredictable. You never really know what you're going to get. But what if you could inspect the view from your hotel-room balcony, stroll down surrounding streets, and check out the size of the pool—all before you check in? More... [787 views] 5 Easy Ways to Brighten an Employee's DayBy Jacob Harper: Here is how to manage your employees in a way that lightens their work day. More... [1536 views] Flash Sales Promotions Receive Mixed Reviews From Global HoteliersDespite the immense popularity and relative newness of flash sale websites such as Groupon, BloomSpot, JetSetter and Living Social, the jury is still out on the effectiveness and real value of these sites for a hotel's marketing plan. More... [497 views] Luxury Corporate Retreats Are BackGet ready for some teambuilding and brainstorming-corporate group travel is heating up again as companies (long skittish about the stigma known as the "AIG effect") are slowly resuming retreats and conventions in luxury resort locations. More... [418 views] Record 50.5 Million Visitors Brings Big Smile to NYC Hotel Management CompaniesMayor Bloomberg announced that a record-breaking 50.2 million people visited the Big Apple. A further revision provided even more to smile about. More... [271 views] Hotel's Free WiFi Comes with Hidden ExtrasBy Brian X Chen: Your hotel's internet service could be secretly injecting lines of code on every web page to insert ads. This is quite similar to a hotel delivering a newspaper to every room, except that every page has a new ad stuck on top. More... [821 views] Hotels at Titanic PortsIf watching the Titanic in 3D is not enough for you, head off to the places that keep its memory alive. More... [226 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 9, 2012Cornell Center for Hospitality Research Reports Focus on Boosting Hotel RevenueNew reports issued by the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) at the School of Hotel Administration present two studies aimed at helping hotels improve revenues and profits. More... [838 views] Whoa, Nellie! The ADA Has Entered our Pools and Golf Courses. Now, Miniature Horses can Cruise our Restaurants and StoresBy John Hendrie: It may have been an afterthought clarification to ADA public access legislation, but “service” horses? Really! What is a reasonable proprietor to do? More... [304 views] Survey Shows ‘Inside’ Story about HotelsThe results are in for the first Burba Hotel Network (BHN) hotel opinion survey, covering the likes, dislikes and preferences of hotel insiders. More than 1,000 hotel insiders from around the world responded to the survey, and here are their opinions, courtesy of BHN. More... [570 views] How to Get Your Business Involved in a CharityBy Vivian Wagner: Businesses that give time, money and other resources to their communities reap many benefits. They have employees who are more involved and productive who are willing to stay. Being involved in the community improves brand visibility and facilitates networking. More... [256 views] MENA Region Chain Hotels Market Review - February 2012Hotels in Egypt have started a recovery but they remain a long way from their previous highs prior to the Arab Spring, according to the latest HotStats survey of full-service hotels in six MENA cities by TRI Hospitality Consulting. More... [223 views] The Big Flaws in Hotel RankingsBy Scott McCartney: Which reviews should you trust? More... [835 views] Norwegian Breakaway to Feature Line’s Largest Youth and Teen AreasHow can you position your property as the best family vacation venue? Check out this Norwegian Cruise Line’s strategy. More... [189 views] Hotels Revamp In-Room Reading OptionsA number of hotel brands are trying to re-invent the in-room reading experience by producing their own glossy magazines. Some are partnering with American Express Publishing and such national publications as Travel & Leisure and Food & Wine to provide content. Others are doing it themselves. More... [292 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2012How Hotels Can Appeal to Travel BloggersBy Larry Mogelonsky: If 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. More... [703 views] Savvy Hotel Pricing Strategies Mitigate RisksBy Alissa Ponchione: As the hotel industry recovers, pricing strategies are becoming more important to increase top-line revenue and bottom-line goals. Yet, pricing strategy comes from looking at different segments and distribution channels. And not just third-party channels. More... [401 views] TripAdvisor Names Top Hotels for FamiliesBy Nancy Trejos: Traveling with your family? Hotel review Web site TripAdvisor has released its 2012 Traveler's Choice award-winning Hotels for Families. More... [406 views] Should Brands Be Using Facebook Timeline?By TJ McCue: Facebook Timeline is creating a combination of positive and negative reactions since launching. The question I have with all of these changes is: do they help the small business brand and market better? According to data from Wildfire, a social media marketing software company, the answer is yes and the impacts are mostly positive. More... [368 views] Culinary Tourism: Food Among Top Travelers’ InterestsCulinary tourism provides the tourists an opportunity to experience the exotic cuisines of a particular place. It is as important for tourists as aspects like accommodation, scenery, climate etc. as the tourists often dine outside. Most of them prefer to sample the local exquisite dishes. It is therefore, a great way to catch the fancy of the visitors. More... [769 views] New York's Waldorf-Astoria Gets Into The Beekeeping BusinessBy Nancy Trejos: The Waldorf-Astoria in New York City has some interesting guests checking in soon: thousands of bees. More... [347 views] Reviewing The Building Blocks of TourismBy Dr. Peter E. Tarlow: In most of the world, April marks the beginning of spring, a renewal and of fresh hope. It also marks the gateway to the busy tourism season and a time for tourism professionals to step back and contemplate their industry. Tourism has become an ever more complicated industry. Tourism professionals need to worry about everything from war to economic stagnation, from health threats to food poisoning, from high prices to less than acceptable customer service. Faced with an avalanche of problems, it is all too easy to forget some of tourism's basic building blocks. More... [1169 views] The New Legoland Resort Hotel: Building On SuccessBy Amelia Gentleman: How much you like the new Legoland hotel will depend a lot on your age. In the castle-themed play area by the bar – noisy with happy, shrieking children – some adults are displaying a grim stoicism. "If the children are happy, I'm happy," one mother says, with a firm smile. Her husband is more blunt: "Anything is tolerable with alcohol." More... [275 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2012Leadership Lottery…By Enda Larkin: During a team night out, a group of disgruntled employees decided to exact revenge on their nasty boss. Whilst eating a meal in a restaurant, the said boss went to the bathroom. When he was away from the table, his employees searched through his wallet and found his Lottery ticket; they quickly wrote down his selected numbers. More... [1691 views] Hotel Chains Gear Up For Major International ExpansionBy Nancy Trejos: Some popular hotel chains are gearing up for a major international expansion this year. More... [669 views] Mobile And Why It Matters For HotelsNot only is smartphone usage on the rise, but a large percentage of those users are using their device specifically for this industry. If you're a hotelier that has a website with any type of flash imagery, iPhone users cannot see those images on their phone. More... [390 views] 6 Ways to Handle Negative Online ReviewsBy Marcia Turner: Before 2008, the name Yelp meant nothing to small-business owner Merrily Rocco. That year, a prospective client expressed concern about two negative reviews posted to the user review site by former customers regarding her Lake Tahoe wedding design firm, Merrily Wed. Shocked by the news that there were any negative reviews at all, Rocco investigated, thus beginning a multi-year effort to have the misleading reviews removed. More... [1079 views] Worldhotels Unveils 'What's Your Hot Spot?' Facebook CampaignBy Phil Davies: Worldhotels is developing a strategy of utilising social media to boost brand recognition and business for its hotels. More... [231 views] Money Talks In Search For London Olympic HotelsBy Meera Selva: Coming for the Olympics with money to spend? Then there's still time to ensure you can take tea at The Ritz, drink at the Savoy's American bar, or sleep in an Art Deco room at Claridge's. More... [244 views] Sheraton Hotels Continues to Aggressively Grow Signature Spa BrandStarwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE: HOT) announced that its global powerhouse, Sheraton Hotels, will grow its portfolio of signature hotel spas across Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe as the brand continues to expand its footprint in the world's fastest growing markets. In tune with the resurgence of the economy and growing demand for luxury services, Sheraton will double its robust portfolio of Shine Spas with 23 openings in key international destinations by 2015 with 10 openings slated for this year. More... [301 views] Hitler's Holiday Resort To Become Luxury HotelBy Herald Sun: The largest holiday resort ever built by the Nazis is set to be converted into a luxury hotel. More... [1042 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2012Hotel Industry News In BriefHospitality industry news in brief................. More... [1147 views] Will TripAdvisor Service Commentary Kill the Planning Committee Meeting?By Larry Mogelonsky: My agency’s hospitality clients are pleading with me, “How do we address our TripAdvisor ratings?” Well, excluding a multimillion-dollar renovation from the scenario, it all boils down to guest service. More... [777 views] Why Hotel Rates Spiked in FebruaryBy Josh Sanburn: Over the last couple of years, rates have gradually started rising – and now, they’re finally near pre-recessions levels. More... [794 views] Making Apt Use of Flash Sales for Both Distribution and Marketing InitiativesBy Ritesh Gupta: The travel industry is still trying to understand and plan how best to interact with social buying companies, says Nazar Musa, GM of Travel Asia Pacific, LivingSocial. On the positive side, when you combine significant growth in the number of users that receive offers on a daily basis and an understanding of what these people want to be enticed with each day, it is paving way for companies to have more clarity on the marketing and sales opportunity. More... [454 views] Should You Focus on Facebook or Twitter?By Courtney Rubin: A new poll of small-business owners found that entrepreneurs ranked their time as their business's most valuable asset (yes, even ahead of their computers). So with time scarce, and with business owners performing multiple roles, something has to give. Should it be Facebook or Twitter? More... [656 views] London Boutique Hotels Round-Up – March 2012By Timea: With winter rapidly becoming a distant memory and spring well and truly in the air for London’s big Olympic year, now is a great time to enjoy a stay at one of the UK capital’s world-class boutique hotels. More... [472 views] Hotel Lobbies Go DigitalBy Hugo Martín: Hotels are removing walls to create large common areas where guests can conveniently connect to the Web — and one another. More... [474 views] Couple Marry in Hotel as Fijian Floodwaters RageBy David Meddows: It was meant to be a wedding in paradise, but a Sydney couple ended up tying the knot during Fiji's worst floods in living memory. More... [216 views] What Secrets Does A Hotel Butler Keep? Finding Out At The Savoy in LondonBy Annie Fitzsimmons: What does it mean to be a butler at a hotel in today’s world? More... [531 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 3, 2012Maximizing Your Hotel’s Online RevenueBy John Hach: The following questions will help you understand how to effectively manage both online and offline channels to maximize your hotel’s revenue. More... [840 views] Top 8 Hotel Pet HatesBy Andrea: Here are eight of my biggest pet hates about staying in hotels. Not all of these will matter to everyone, but if any hoteliers see me coming I hope they take note... More... [855 views] Customer Satisfaction Survey WearinessBy John Hendrie: Most Consumers do want to help a company, but we have just beaten up their interest in many cases by the questions we ask and the length of time to complete a survey. More... [557 views] In Search of Hotel Excellence: Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad BeachBy Larry Mogelonsky: Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach is situated along the brilliant Southern Californian coastline in Carlsbad, thirty minutes north of San Diego. I had the opportunity for a discussion with Bob Moore, the General Manager, to dig into the roots of their continued success. More... [564 views] HotStats European Chain Hotels Market Review - February 2012Hotels in Amsterdam struggle to find their feet after strong performance in 2011 More... [353 views] Ten Southeast Asia Floating Hotels for Every BudgetBy Merritt Gurley: Floating hotels and stilted resorts over water can be found across the Greater Mekong Subregion, which encompasses areas of Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and the Yunnan Province of China. More... [267 views] Hotels Approach Gay Travel Market in Different WaysBy Carlo Wolff: Cultivating the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender traveller can be challenging. A key question is whether hotel brands should target the LGBT market separately from others. More... [419 views] Luxury Hotel 'Groundscraper' Planned in Abandoned QuarryBy Raemin Zhang: For more than a decade, China has been a front-runner in the world’s skyscraper race. Now the country is taking the pole position in digging “groundscrapers” – enormous structures built mostly underground. More... [278 views] Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 2, 2012Are You an Ostrich or a Llama?By Larry Mogelonsky: Are you an ostrich or a llama? To see which moniker best suits your management style, answer the following questions about the way you conduct your business. More... [1920 views] Food & Beverage - Managing Slow or Lazy StaffBy Ken Burgin: Someone who takes an hour to do what others fix in 20 minutes, then disappears for a cigarette; or the one who can't move from behind an empty bar to help clear dirty tables. It's aggravating to managers and the other staff who carry them, and may be the reason why good staff leave, especially if they think you tolerate laziness that makes their work harder. More... [1151 views] Hospitality Leaders Explore the Issue of Advice in New FilmBy HVS Executive Search: HVS Executive Search is about to launch The Power of Advice, a short film in which 20 hospitality leaders discuss the importance of giving and receiving advice and the role advice has played in their careers. Here is a sneak preview of the trailer. More... [465 views] A New Approach to Hotel Classification: A Study by Hotel CompleteBuilding on an earlier article that explained how the lodging industry’s Chain Scale categories are not specific enough for hotel performance analysis, the results of this study provide a new approach for the industry. More... [712 views] Just Say No: 5 Ways to Turn More Down to Get More DoneBy Rory Vaden: Next generation time management is more about deciding what not to do than what to do. Whether we like it or not that means we are going to have to develop the skill of saying "No." More... [1044 views] Laura Ashley to Open 'Brand Showcase' HotelBy Zoe Wood: Boutique hotels are usually the preserve of luxury designer labels, such as Armani and Bulgari, where their monied clientele can eat, sleep and shop the brand. That is about to change as Laura Ashley, the company famous for its floral prints, prepares to enter the fray. More... [298 views] Hoteliers Bet on Booming AfricaNew research out this week from W Hospitality Group reveals that the hotel industry is betting big on a boom in Africa over the coming years. Virtually all the major hotel chains are making moves to increase their presence across the continent. More... [758 views] Nightclubs Are the New Cash Registers at Strip CasinosBy Tovin Lapan: In a town built on gambling, megaclubs have created a business model that has sustained investors even during a recession. More... [368 views] 
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ehotelier Hospitality News Archives: April 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 30, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 27, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 26, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 25, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 24, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 23, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 20, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 19, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 18, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 17, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 16, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 13, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 12, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 11, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 10, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 9, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 6, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 5, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 4, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 3, 2012Global Hospitality Newsletter: April 2, 2012
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