Becoming green is not a one-time thing: it requires a concerted effort over time from a number of people and departments. This article will outline some recent trends in developing an environmentally responsible corporate policy, the steps to build a green program in a property or group of properties, and information about what should be covered by written policies and procedures. READ MORE

No longer are hotel goers "thinking big" when they book their reservations. Small, themed, and unique hotels frequently steal guests from the most luxurious of hotels. Whether large or small, the difference between a successful hotel and one with far too many vacancies often is simple - a solid public relations plan that delivers essential information to entice potential guests. A strong public relations plan complements your business goals. By increasing brand awareness among targeted groups of prospective guests, you can grow sales and revenues. Following a precise public relations plan including contributes to the goals of any hotel owner. READ MORE

This article provides just a few ways to help promote your hotel's brand by utilizing the reservations staff - there are many more. The Internet has changed the way we shop and research services and products. It represents a better opportunity to promote your brand than the old days when mass advertising was all that existed. Remember, even with online booking services, many potential guests still make a call into the property to learn more. Either way, by personalizing the experience you can raise your chances of landing that prospect. READ MORE

The advancement of technology has made the world a smaller place. Movies, television, and now the Internet have created a world which has fostered a better understanding of and access to different cultures. But, does this familiarity and exposure lessen cultural characteristics or nuances? Is it correct to assume that this familiarity creates instant purchases of your product? And does this also ensure that your product will be selected over your competition in these markets? This article will address key components to consider when planning and implementing global marketing campaigns or initiatives or in just reaching specific international markets. READ MORE

There is a hush in the concert hall. All the players are in place. Our talented concierge maestro pauses for a moment reflecting on the complexity of his performance depending on so many others to make it happen. He raises his baton with humility, confidence, finesse and pride; he knows when to call on the strings, the brass, the woodwinds and the timpani. The global concierge chorus is ready to sing. They all acutely feel the expectations of the sophisticated audience and together they are ready to dazzle with their music. READ MORE

As oil penetrates the $130-a-barrel mark and natural gas prices increase to rates four times what they were since the late 1990s, the use of green building (or building green) has taken seed to a new beginning to reform the cost of energy across all sections of industry. Green building is no longer just another popular cause or fad; it is here to stay as a vital and profitable part of the commercial real estate and construction industries. Anyone in the building trades or anyone involved with real estate investing or leasing needs to understand fully -- green building trends, opportunities, and consequences that can affect all areas including building codes, insurance rates, employee health, customer satisfaction, and more. This article will set out to serve as a survey of the important fundamentals and forecasts of what has happened and what will happen going forward in the efforts to build a green environment. READ MORE

Hotel fitness centers are no different than basic health clubs when it comes to decision making on equipping their facilities. Major prohibiting factors including space and budget limitations require management to make smart choices on equipment procurement. These choices are influential in determining equipment quantities and quality with defined specifications unique to each setting. Taking time to research proper selection early on in the design process will not only save money and reduce liability long-term but will allow hotel operators to develop their fitness center around the guests needs. READ MORE

Non-gaming casino revenue was once considered an oxymoron. In today's industry though, it has become a vital part of most casino operator financial reports. In fact, some top players in the industry have indicated non-gaming revenue accounts for 50% or more of total revenue. Less visible to many in the hospitality industry is the important role that technology can play in maximizing non-gaming revenue. Certainly some of the standbys of technology value like flexibility, scalability, and reliability contribute. But they represent a small part of a bigger story. It is the guest-centric and integrated nature of present and future technology that will allow non-gaming casino revenue to reach its potential. READ MORE

The past three years have seen the lowest borrowing rates for real estate in the last 40 years. For the hotel industry, this was particularly fortuitous given the rapid decline in property values following general economic and industry business deterioration. The U.S. appears poised to be coming out of one of the best interest rate environments of our lifetime, where we saw the Federal Reserve cut the Federal Funds Rate by 500 basis points from 6.00% to 1.00% in a total of 13 rate cuts over 30 months between January 2000 and June 2003. READ MORE

A new federal tax credit program is designed to help developers of projects that are speculative and sometimes difficult to finance. It is available for a wide range of commercial projects, but hotel developers need to become more aware of it. The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program could easily be the difference between a property being developed or staying on the drawing board - it can provide a financial edge that tips projects toward reality and success. Simply put, the New Markets Tax Credit program was created by Congress in December 2000 to encourage investments in communities which historically have had poor access to capital. It provides a federal tax credit equal to 39% of the investment - obviously a significant value - spread over a seven-year period. Aimed at spurring community and local business development, this tax credit can help lower interest rates and offer developers far greater financial flexibility. READ MORE

When hoteliers like you are asked what their primary concerns are in successfully running their businesses and increasing their profit margins, some of the answers are expected: keeping guests happy, matching the competition's prices, acquiring more market share. What is unexpected is the number who cite unfair and confusing card processing fees as something they are forced to contend with as they look to grow and maintain a successful business. Consider how much of your total revenue comes from payments made on your guests' credit and debit cards. It is very possible you could increase your profit margin on every transaction by taking a closer look at the costs incurred with processing those payments. READ MORE

In the hyper-competitive hotel business, keeping pace with the major flags and industry giants can be a daunting task for small hoteliers and franchise operators. Banks and other lenders take very close and careful assessments of the small hoteliers' track record and personal credit history when considering financing. Access to capital, which is essential for the small hotel owner/operator to maintain and enhance their property and amenities, is extremely difficult, and ultimately this prevents many of these smaller businesses and properties from reaching their fullest potential. One of the best solutions for the small owner/operator is the Small Business Administration's 504 loan program, which enabled 753 hoteliers to borrow $802 million during the 2006 federal fiscal year. READ MORE

By following basic accounting principles, hotel owners and managers have the information they need to identify trends before they can have a negative impact on the business. They can reduce expenses, readily accommodate anticipated peak business times, and scale back operations during slow periods. Rather than relying on intuition and reacting to events, successful owners have the financial facts they need on a daily basis to proactively make the right decisions at the right time. Staying on top of the hotel financials also provides an accurate measurement of management performance in every operational area and gives owners a mechanism to see where they stand against the competition. READ MORE

There's no denying that credit card fraud is on the rise. A 2007 report from the Association for Payments Professionals found 72 percent of 3,000 members surveyed had been victims of actual or attempted fraud in 2006. That's up from 68 percent in 2005. Unfortunately, 80 percent of data compromises originate through small merchants - those generating less than 20,000 e-commerce transactions or a million total transactions annually - according to Visa USA. These smaller merchants - such as independently owned hotels - don't always have the technology to provide the secure systems needed in today's increasingly risky financial world. Worse, many hotel owners dismiss the problem because they think they are protected by their merchant acquirers. But they are not. READ MORE

To realize the most success in selling your hotel online, it is imperative to maximize the effectiveness of your listing. A well thought-out and well-written listing will allow you to attract more prospects and better sort out the serious buyers from the rest. By keeping in mind the following "10 commandments of quality online listings," you can help ensure that your hotel attracts the best potential buyers, and that the selling process goes quickly and smoothly. READ MORE