Loyalty programs are under fire these days; from being cookie cutter to not producing a return on investment. Is your loyalty program missing opportunities to maximize the experience - and the spend - of visitors who might fall through the cracks? READ MORE

Brand loyalty can mean many things. Most hoteliers would agree that loyalty certainly means likelihood to return to a hotel, likelihood to return to the brand, and likelihood to recommend the hotel and brand. With the rise in popularity of social media, the last component-recommending the hotel and brand-has taken on even greater significance. Similarly, a loyalty program can be many things. Today's hotel loyalty programs are highly evolved marketing campaigns and should contribute to brand loyalty as defined above. Some of the questions and concerns hoteliers have are discussed in this article. READ MORE

While seemingly unimportant, those pesky one-pagers known as the “Form I-9” that all employers are required to complete for new hires can be the source of significant liability. In fiscal year 2010, ICE agents recovered penalties of $6.9 million from businesses, criminally charged nearly 200 business owners and managers with immigration violations, and conducted more than 2,000 compliance audits of employer-prepared I-9 work eligibility forms. READ MORE

A line of travelers gliding effortlessly through the city scape on SegwayR PTs might invoke scenes from a 20th century sci-fi movie. Less commonplace might be an amputee among them using a seat that has been retrofitted onto the device. Something of a novelty still, SegwayR PTs have been at the hub of activity in the disability rights realm. These and other power-driven mobility devices have the United States government requiring lodging establishments to permit individuals with mobility disabilities using them in any areas of these facilities. READ MORE

Water conservation is an important practice to adopt in today's uneasy economy as it is a cost control and a way to enhance efficiency for a hotel property. In an industry that thrives on recreating the home experience away from home, hotels have much to gain by employing water conservation practices. Guests enjoy unwinding from a long business day in a warm shower and relaxing by a pool surrounded by beautiful landscapes. But these amenities can result in significant water costs for a hotel. Fortunately in today's energy efficient world, there are effective ways to decrease water consumption that will result in significant cost savings. READ MORE