According to a recent 2018 GSMA Report, mobile technology is rapidly expanding around the world and emerging in all economies with over 5 billion smartphone owners. This global leap towards smart technology in recent years has prompted a shift in brand digital engagement to further reach the masses and expand into a more personal vertical and connect directly with consumers. By taking a deeper look at the most prominent social media trends and utilizing discoveries from properly executed social listening tools, brands are able to identify and understand how to continue elevating brand-presence ahead of the 2020 advances. READ MORE

Since the dawn of social media, hotel owners and operators have challenged their marketing executives and agencies to demonstrate ROI on the investment in engaging with them. And yet social media is outpacing advertising and public relations as a preferred way to reach customers and prospects. As platforms become more sophisticated, along with those responsible organic community management and paid initiatives, it is becoming ever more possible to prove ROI, but you have to have the right approach. This article offers insights and best practices for ensuring that social media is on target and measurable. The ROI question is solvable. READ MORE

People have always shared their experiences with one another, but in the last decade, the method of communication has completely transformed. Technology is developing fast, and hotels have to keep up to protect their reputation on social media and OTAs. Luckily, hoteliers have access to the right tools and processes that allow them to not only maintain control but thrive in this competitive environment. From responding to reviews to selecting the right online influencer, there are many things a hotelier can do right now to harness the power of social media. READ MORE

Social listening helps uncover key observations and insights based on how a visitor is talking about a destination or hotel brand across social. This firsthand social voice of traveler data is critical in not only helping set a strategic foundation but also continue to drive improvements across marketing initiatives. The following article provides a base-level understanding of social listening and service providers in the space as well as how listening data can be used to drive success for local, national and global hotel brands. READ MORE

Although legislation is working its way through Congress to raise the bar on how resort fees are communicated to consumers, these fees are unlikely to go away anytime soon. As consumer awareness evolves regarding these fees and the amenities included, it behooves a hotel owner and management team to be on the forefront of communicating the charges in the most direct way possible and to offer the best array of benefits for the dollars spent. We recently surveyed 50 resorts to uncover not only what their resort fee currently is, but what they offer to the consumer for this fee. READ MORE