Payroll and related labor costs account for nearly 35% of a hotel’s operating budget. Despite increases in minimum wage and health insurance responsibilities, this line item presents the most controllable of the expenses, thanks to Staffing Guidelines and Rooms Production Analysis. And in light of these rising wage and healthcare costs, it becomes even more imperative hoteliers implement proper labor practices and standards at the property level. Hotel managers can wrest control of their properties’ biggest expense — payroll — by developing, monitoring, and constantly updating their scheduling and staffing practices while zeroing in on payroll areas where they can make the most difference. READ MORE

In this article we explore Mass Tourism’s impact on destinations where large numbers of tourist visit the same location, often at the same time of year. We look at examples that have both positive impacts, including improved local economy and negative impacts, including environmental degradation, on a location’s ecology and culture. Many local governments, such as the Philippians, and tourism corporations, such as The Walt Disney Company, are beginning to address the negative impacts of Mass Tourism and to promote a program of sustainable tourism. READ MORE

Today's hotel guest is often subject to increasing levels of stress, sometimes brought on by the journey to the hotel itself! Upon arriving at the hotel property, whether for work or leisure, guests are seeking a way to integrate wellness practices into their daily activities. The hotel spa beckons as a traditional oasis of calm and tranquility, offering guests a respite from the daily grind. But today's hotel spas have evolved far beyond the standard menu; cutting-edge hotel brands are providing opportunities for guests to experience deeper and longer-lasting well-being activities and treatments, often extending outside of a spa treatment room, to positively impact their stay in multiple ways, and encourage return visits. READ MORE

Powerful new digital technologies continue to revolutionize the world of hospitality, including how we train and manage our staff and how we interact with and serve guests. During implementation, we must use care in how we secure, access and interpret the information lode available to us. Our greatest challenge is to employ these new technologies in ways that enhance, rather than diminish, the human touch and judgment that are at the core of what we do in hospitality. READ MORE

With more than 20 years of experience in accounting, forensic accountant Tiffany Couch, provides information on the most common fraud schemes perpetrated by hotel employees. Although no one sets out to hire dishonest workers, the fact is all businesses lose 5 percent of their annual revenue to fraud. Worse, it takes an average of 16 months before fraud is discovered, by which time the perpetrator(s) have often stolen thousands in cash and product. This article examines fraud in hotels – including specific examples that can happen in every department– and practical suggestions on how to detect, deter and prevent fraudulent activity. READ MORE