2014 has been a big year for the hospitality industry as a whole. Business is improving, and many hoteliers are seeing larger Revenue per Available Room (RevPAR) gains than they have in several years. Technology has played a critical role in the effort to grow revenue while simultaneously managing rising costs, and it will continue to be an important part of changes in the industry as we enter the new year. READ MORE

How much is a good customer experience worth? Some might argue that it is priceless. Most will agree that the holistic brand experience can make or break effective customer engagement. But will consumers pay more for an amazing experience? Recent data on this subject indicates that consumers do indeed make decisions based on factors other than price. According to a CEI Survey, 86% of buyers will pay more for a better customer experience. But only 1% of customers feel that vendors consistently meet their expectations. READ MORE

Generating customer loyalty in hospitality is a surefire way to drive sales and revenue, as guests tend to remain dedicated to certain hotels based on positive experiences. However, what it means to have a positive customer experience at a hotel has been transforming as of late, and marketing and sales must keep up with new customer expectations to stay competitive. Mark Johnson, CEO of Loyalty360, an unbiased, voice of the customer loyalty marketer's association, explores the new landscape of loyalty in his piece “The Loyalty Renaissance: Navigating New Expectations to Deliver an Exceptional Experience in Hospitality.” With expert insight and examples from hotels doing it right, Johnson delivers a must-read piece for anyone implementing a loyalty program in the hospitality industry. READ MORE

There is no question that we will see a tremendous explosion in the use of strategic content marketing in the relatively near future. With the proliferation of mobile devices, and the growth in all things Internet, people will be connecting anywhere, any time. So your brand message had better be ready and able to inform interestingly, entertainingly and with relevance 24/7. This takes what I am dubbing the 5 Cs of Kontent is King. In this article, you'll see how your these 5 Cs can help your hotel develop an effective content marketing strategy for guests and prospective guests alike. READ MORE

The old saying that “everyone's money is green here” might seem like true hospitality in action, but for a marketer with limited resources, it's a recipe for failure. Clearly defining target markets means identifying who we believe will respond first and most often to our concept. However, it also means consciously acknowledging that we can't be everything to everyone for every occasion. Demographics alone are no longer sufficient and marketers must deeply know their guests. Initially, this process can seem time consuming, but it can ultimately lead to stronger brand loyalty and the generation of greater revenue at a lesser cost. READ MORE