As fresh water supplies across the country stretch thinner due to a confluence of factors, hotel developers and managers are getting squeezed. An increasing focus on water conservation from consumers and both state and local regulators has its benefits, but also creates economic drawbacks for hotel executives by decreasing the supply and increasing the price of water. This added cost raises the price of admission for both owners and consumers, but armed with the correct information and tactics, hotel executives can shrewdly save valuable dollars while playing by these new rules. READ MORE

The hospitality industry has come a long way from the time that Holiday Inn made its mark through standardization. Much of today's travel is about new experience and authenticity. Many hotel developers and brands are responding to this market segment with new construction. Heritage's experience over the past three decades suggests that a smarter and better path is through the redevelopment of the Grand Dame hotels and the adaptive reuse of vintage buildings. Both are integral to their communities and tied directly their history and character. READ MORE

Socially activated, highly charged environments, stimulating and engaging on every level: has become the norm for the hospitality industry. The never-ending demand for originality in the ever-changing world of luxury is a tough game. It takes courage to stay relevant, to take risks and to remain in the public eye. We can't expect favors, either from the Press or the Social Media, letting our failures slide. How do we stay up to the constant and increasing demand to deliver "blockbuster experiences" and "Instagram Moments" with every hotel we open or renovate? How do we stay ahead of our guest's ever changing needs and demands when our world is defined by emails and tweets, thumbs up and thumbs down? It takes a little sorcery, and sorcery is demanding. Every detail must work. No one wants to hire a Sorcerer's Apprentice. READ MORE

Hotels today can and should use F&B to establish a unique personality. As guests increasingly look to bar and dining experiences for entertainment, hotels can take advantage of their venues to express themselves and leave a lasting impression. Restaurants, bars and even the event catering service can define a hotel as local, unique, lively and entertaining. To be competitive and ensure success in the long run, hotels should pay close attention to guest preferences, the design of F&B areas and the culture of the region and neighborhood, always striving to be original. READ MORE

At the end of the day, from an owner and stakeholder perspective, business performance is an operational issue while productivity is a strategic issue. In a manner of speaking, productivity is a reflection of how efficiently business performance is achieved. Owners are in business for the long haul. A long haul can only be sustained if the means to ends are consistently efficient. It is productivity that makes return on investment a long term factor and vindicates the huge investment forked out. Stakeholders tend to sleep well knowing that an efficient system of producing business performance is at work and incrementally improving. READ MORE