As marketing is often driven by trends, it's easy to get caught up in the latest means of delivering your property message to an audience; but for some, newer is not always better. This particularly applies to those decision makers who book travel for businesses and groups. A pared-down approach to marketing to them, therefore, can win a big lift in bookings and revenue for a smart hotel that implements a few basic principles. This article examines 'best practices' in marketing to business and group travel bookers and provides tips on how to increase exposure to this valuable audience. READ MORE

Service in general will always have a solid base in which we are able, as hospitality professionals to build upon, given the concept of change. What we are exploring below is a look back into the basics of what hospitality service is all about and how general current trends such as technology and volatile hospitality demand trends are currently affecting the industry can still be managed strongly and effectively while keeping into consideration some of the basics that we sometimes forget to execute. READ MORE

Companies who are profiting from social media have one thing in common - they have a plan. They have a social media strategy in place that acts as a roadmap to get them where they want to be. Companies who reported that they are not making any money from social media seem to be focused on the tools - setting up a Facebook page, creating a blog - but they aren't focused on the big picture. We have discovered a few simple steps to get your social media strategy moving - and the first step involves identifying your social media voice. READ MORE

“If hotels can have ridiculous things like butlers, they can certainly have bed bug inspectors,” bemoaned one hotel magazine editor in December, 2010. This might well be the epitaph for butler service in hotels, as it is too commonly practiced: in booming Asia, seemingly one-for-one, butler training programs have gone to the cheapest bidder who, perforce, is obliged to reduce training to well below the irreducible minimum. Against this backdrop, we have to wonder if butlers really are here to stay. I believe they are, but they need a make-over.” READ MORE

Lodging experts have written numerous articles on revenue management aimed at addressing specific tactical issues on pricing, distribution and measuring results for those “inside” the operation. By contrast, this article is intended for the “outsider” - namely individuals closely vested in hotel performance, but not directly involved in daily operations…hotel Owners. While the art and science of revenue management should be left in the hands of the property management and asset management teams, here are some key considerations which may be helpful to hotel owners in evaluating the role and effectiveness of revenue management and understanding the influence it can have on hotel performance and overall asset value. READ MORE