For a hotel property, appearance in search results has long been a vital strategy for increased bookings. Hoteliers must stay competitive in search results on online travel agency (OTA) websites and TripAdvisor, along with traditional search engines like Google and Bing. However, there's a new frontier in traveler search behavior. Social networks are some of the most frequently used search engines online. When marketing hotels, traditional SEO practices are not enough to reach travelers. By participating in social networking, hoteliers can take advantage of some of the most used search engines and appear in the most engaging search results online. READ MORE

Changes in technology and the unlimited availability of information has changed the way group buyers purchase travel. Yet in many hotel sales offices, expected sales behaviors have remained unchanged - make cold calls, develop relationships, try to close more deals. This article explores a new look at the hotel group sales process and suggests unique strategies and tools to ensure your sellers are positioning themselves best for today's buyers. While we all know how much technology has changed, pinpointing exactly how it has changed our group buyers has been a little bit trickier to process. READ MORE

The importance of influencers in social media has evolved to the point that fans and followers are not only going where they go, or where they say to go, but they are taking trips with them. How can hotels, resorts and spas tap into what is becoming its own distinct market segment? This article addresses this relatively new phenomenon, cites examples of influencers who are organizing their own trips, and provides tips for hotels and resorts for gaining business through strategic partnerships. READ MORE

Cast your mind back to a time in the hotel industry, that in order to register a complaint or a concern, a swift call downstairs to reception was all that was required, as opposed to requesting clean towels or apparent lack of via a terse Tweet directed at head office, to rectify the solution. Hotels now not only have to monitor social platforms and review sites such as TripAdvisor 24/7 for the opportunity to instantly smooth over an issue in real-time, but also are tasked with how to ingrain social media usage into the property itself in order to be more consumer-friendly. READ MORE

Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria recently made names for themselves in the Caribbean and along the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. As hotels were unfortunately pummeled with Category 5 hurricanes, many people turned to social media. Facebook quickly became a dominant outlet to express well wishes, request updates on guest/staff safety, seek the hotel's condition and check the status of upcoming reservations. During a weather-related crisis, followers and concerned parties want - and expect - timely updates. While challenges are unavoidable, a hotel's ability (or lack thereof) to effectively communicate can significantly affect its brand reputation, guest relationships and long-term revenue. READ MORE