As a hotel operating department, food and beverage plays a secondary role to rooms. That's how it's always been, but recent trends in guest tastes and experience have pushed F&B into a more compelling position, one, with the right management, can also be a profit producer rather than a hope-to-break-even enterprise. But maximizing F&B revenues and impeding costs takes forethought and creativity. An inspection of 2018 and historical European F&B data paints a varying picture from city to city, as expenses, from cost of sales to payroll, fluctuate and revenue generation is localized and benefits from canny operational strategies and methods. READ MORE

Time was that knowing one's customer was as easy as standing in the lobby and interacting with guests as they came and went. "Welcome to the hotel." "Is there anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable?" "How was your stay?" No more. In today's world, travelers are increasingly self-directing their contact with hotels, before, during and after their stay. So much of the traveler's journey is accomplished without any human interaction. So, how does one optimize the hotel operation from a guest services standpoint? By using the same thing that has created the distance – technology. Read on. READ MORE

Bill Kimpton formed Kimpton Hotels in the 1980s with the intent to create smaller guest-centric urban properties in older and historic buildings. Conceptually, the company took a three pronged approach with property development, hospitality management and on-property restaurant management. Over the next three decades, the brand expanded nationally and internationally while holding on to its roots. In 2015, IHG acquired the hotel and restaurant management operations, while the development arm became independent. The intent is that the strength of IHG would facilitate expansion of the Kimpton brand, while independence would foster greater returns for the property investors. READ MORE

Many factors go into selecting a new market for a hotel acquisition or ground up development. While development and transaction activity remains robust in the Top 25 markets in the United States, hotel entities are also vigorously exploring secondary and tertiary markets for acquisitions and new builds. Among the attractions are communities with strong employment prospects, a growing economy, outstanding quality of life, access to needed labor, and reasonable living and business costs. Existing and prospective demand drivers, site selection, brand distribution and organizational resources are also part of the decision equation, which will be considered in this article. READ MORE

Tourism depends on preserving the beautiful destinations we want to travel. Most companies are taking action on climate change. But did you know a quarter of global of all planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions come from food? Hilton is joining forces with leading F&B companies to spur a movement for innovative and delicious food that please the taste buds and can save the planet. READ MORE