Online Reputation Management must be front and center for today's savvy Lodging Manager. Why? Because today's savvy traveler finds it compulsory to conduct online research to see if you have a good reputation, are worthy to "buy" from, and look for "feedback" on how past guests have been treated. It is easier than you think to monitor and quickly respond to positive reviews from past guests as well as manage negative criticism and feedback on your property, staff and services. This article presents a helpful overview of Online Reputation Management and how you and your staff can and must control the ball in today's socially connected world. READ MORE

Beginning with Arizona's controversial SB 1070 law, more and more states have begun proposing new legislation to try to close the gap in a broken system.  If you're a hotel manager or owner and have tried to procure a visa for a foreign-born employee, you may know how badly this country needs to update its outdated immigration laws. In our current system, individuals without a bachelor's degree in a specialty occupation field will face much difficulty qualifying for a work-based visa.  If you operate a seasonal business like a ski lodge, some visas may suit your needs just fine but other hoteliers may find themselves out of luck. READ MORE

Have you ever found yourself in a hotel room with grab bars, a roll-in shower and a fire alarm strobe? More than once while traveling with people with disabilities I have swapped rooms with someone who reserved but was not rented an accessible room. Among friends and colleagues creative thinking, a shake of the head and good-natured chuckles solve the problem. The fact that certain members of the traveling public are unable to obtain lodging meeting their needs is no laughing matter, and the U.S. Department of Justice has intervened to improve the travel experience for individuals with disabilities. READ MORE

Guest Service practices are concerning us lately. We understand that trimming the operational costs is a must during times like these, and I also understand that there is a constant pressure from ownership as well. We have to maintain levels of competitive in order to see ourselves with or beyond the index line in competitive reports. Rates have been reduced in order to increase (motivate) occupancy levels. Yet there needs to be a service sense of urgency from a hospitality establishment, and I am noticing that this is not being implemented as a fundamental part of the daily operation of a hospitality facility in many brands. This article is intended to alert what truly is happening and what remedies can be implemented so that guest services are consistently up to par. READ MORE

Sale is the only means of earning profit in any business. Hotel managers are also not an exception to this phenomenon. In accommodation sector it is the sale of rooms that brings more revenue. When sale is the only means of earning profits as in other business, hotel managers also think that sale of room, good occupancy is the only means to improve the bottom line, since room sales compared to any other sales of the hotel provides better departmental income. Hence to earn more revenue by selling more rooms' managers adopt ARR /ADR technique... READ MORE