Wi-Fi access has become as crucial as electricity for many people and providing a high-quality Wi-Fi connection in hotels is no longer a nice-to-have but an imperative. iPhones, iPads and media tablets are driving demand for connectivity. This article explores some of the questions hotels should ask of their Wi-Fi providers, so that their hotel Wi-Fi service is a customer satisfaction issue. The article also explores what's behind the issues behind the resurgence in Wi-Fi demand and how hotels can explore new revenue opportunities with Wi-Fi. READ MORE

Mobile, Local, Social - not only a trend but reality for hospitality commerce as consumers increasingly search, shop and buy via mobile devices, look for hotels close to wherever they are and share their travel experience with friends and the community. This poses a great opportunity for mobile marketing, reaching customers via an increasingly growing, powerful and widespread distribution channel. This article gives insights about how mobility impacts the hospitality industry, explains the mobile “touch points” throughout the supply chain, provides examples for best practices and talks about its impact on hotel operations. READ MORE

With so many measurement tools on the market, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the right solutions for your hotel or property. How do you know which ones you need? How can you combine them in order to get a well-rounded view of the guest experience you're delivering? In my experience, there are six measurement tools that, when implemented properly, can generate a truly 360-degree view of performance. This article will help you navigate through your best measurement options and come up with the measurement plan that best suits your organization. READ MORE

It's hard to believe a year and a half has passed since the new Americans with Disabilities Act regulations were published by the U.S. Department of Justice. The deadline to comply with many new requirements have come and gone, and in two months all requirements become mandatory. The new regulations include general as well as specific provisions for lodging establishments and facilities. Read on for a list of policies, practices and procedures that should be part of every day operations along with a summary of capital improvements that might be necessary for continued ADA compliance. READ MORE

Smart phones are well on their way to ubiquity and, as a result, mobile commerce is on the rise. If you want to know who's leading the way, look no further than those who travel. A recent TripAdvisor survey found that over 40% of travelers use their smart phones to plan a trip and over 46% use their smart phones to enhance their trip while traveling. While I could go into lengthy analysis on “why?” the question travel-industry marketing executives should be asking themselves is “how?” How can I ensure that my company is not only keeping up with the shift toward mobile, but actually leading the way? READ MORE