Technology is having a huge impact on how revenue managers generate and optimize revenues at hotels. At the same time, it's clearer than ever that the “human touch” is indispensable: Without capable front desk, sales and revenue professionals at the helm, the possibility for generating meaningful ancillary revenue is limited. Equally, with an increasingly demanding and diverse generation of travelers coming to market, it's critical to be able to match the right kinds of accommodations with the right guests. This article examines the intersection of technology and human interaction in ancillary revenue generation at hotels today - with an eye not only toward enhancing revenues, but building guest experience and satisfaction as well. It pays special attention to the role of upselling, as a central piece to this puzzle. READ MORE

Whether it be geographic, demographic or the current rage, psychographics (or a combination of the three) that a hospitality business adopts to generate and sustain continued customer patronage, owners are particular only about whether these result in incremental revenues and profits. In short, is the business showing year on year growth? Having poured in substantial sums of money as investment, it is only fair and just that they expect and get returns commensurate with the risk taken and initiative shown. Thus, as far as the owners are concerned, the ascent of psychographics in marketing mix is a good thing since it may well be the tool used to produce sustained results that will make them laugh all the way to the bank. READ MORE

A current “hot term” in digital marketing is engagement. Everyone wants to engage their customers through their online content. The trouble is that most businesses, hotels included, are still trying to find their way in making this happen because, engaging customers via electronic media is still more art than science. This article will explore five “best blogging” tips for engaging customers/guests. READ MORE

Hotel companies are beginning efforts towards personalizing the guest experience, leveraging what they know about their guest to create meaningful, personalized experiences and offers. These initiatives are designed to encourage guests to book directly with the hotel, reducing third-party commissions. While this may sound like a purely marketing-oriented program, if pricing and operations are not aligned, the hotel's profitability will suffer. The best way to ensure that all functions within the hotel profitably execute on personalization initiatives is for revenue management to implement a total hotel revenue management program, and help the organization move towards a revenue-oriented mindset. READ MORE

You are already reading your reviews. I mean, you are, right? If not, then, you probably should at least start doing that. Do that, and then come back to this article. What we're going to talk about here is how you can broaden your view from just your reviews, out to competition reviews, then out to listening to all the social conversations that are relevant to your guest experience.Your brand reputation translates directly into higher revenue, and nowhere is brand reputation influenced more than online. The Internet is an enormously influential tool for consumers today: 80% of TripAdvisor's 340 million unique monthly users read at least 6-12 reviews before they book a hotel; another survey reported almost 30 percent of consumers saying that positive online reviews are the single most important factor in their booking decision. READ MORE