As unlikely as it seems, with hotel groups focusing on technology to enhance the guest experience, the time will come when the major area of competition is the energetic feel of the guest experience. This change is inevitable because the human energy field is the only untouched area left for hotels to explore. This article is in two parts and states five scientific principles, which hoteliers must know in order to create an energetic Heart-Based Hospitality guest experience. When applied, the guest experience can be transformed to new levels. The first hotel group to apply them will have a major advantage. READ MORE

Impressive occupancy rates and increasing hotel revenues in cities such as Abuja in Nigeria, Luanda in Angola, Accra in Ghana and Cape Town in South Africa have had a strong influence on hotel investor sentiment and overall confidence about sub Saharan Africa as a key investment destination. Now, more than ever, regional hotel brands and international operators are flexing their muscles and seeking to expand their footprint across the region. But, do we have the requisite skills in specialist areas such as revenue management? And, is the talent pool in this field large enough to accommodate the region's burgeoning hospitality sector in the long-term? READ MORE

Smartphones and tablets are powerful devices, made more powerful through the worldwide proliferation of apps. With millions of apps available for Android and iOS devices, and with apps for every interest (personal and professional), there is a corresponding increase of the risks posed by so-called "leaky apps": Apps that may function properly, but, because of certain flaws or coding errors, can be exploited by hackers and cyber criminals. Educating individuals and businesses about these risks must be a priority. Aware of this challenge, and equipped with the right resources to identify and isolate leaky apps, hoteliers can solve this problem. READ MORE

To say that the world has changed in the past ten years is an understatement. A decade ago, mobile phones were still primarily used to make phone calls, a 'tablet' was something you took for a headache and 'TripAdvisor' was only in its infancy. Even more dramatic is the change we've seen in how hotel rooms are booked: from traditional channels to online travel agencies to making reservations from the palm of your hand. Armed with more options for booking and research than ever before, plus the ability to share their experiences in real-time; consumers are in control and it's crucially important to attract the right guest at the right time for the best rate. READ MORE

While a new hotel is most likely to have minimum repairs and maintenance in its initial three to five years, the property operation and maintenance department has its work cut out to lay out a strategy and prepare for the future years when warranty periods run out, assets get older while ensuring that the guest is served well at all times. It is not for the faint of heart and requires an intuitive understanding of machines, process and people. That should not prevent an engineer from being generally cheerful while going about his obviously onerous duties. The owners will be looking to him to maintain asset efficiency while keeping expenses down in the Profit and Loss Statement. READ MORE