The spa industry delivers a menu of services ranging from natural and organic products to procedures that promise immediate results but may be inherently unhealthy. Does it matter? The answer depends upon a spa's positioning. Over the past decade, "wellness" has become the buzzword in many spas and appealing to many spa-goers. Prognosticators have dubbed wellness the next trillion-dollar industry. But not every product and process on the wellness bandwagon is healthy. This article examines the meaning of the word and provides a guideline to help the operator determine what services align with one's brand, guest expectations, and financial projections. READ MORE

Hank Freid, the CEO/Founder of Impulsive Group, and his son Brandon Freid have amassed an extensive real estate portfolio, which includes a number of luxury hotel properties throughout Manhattan, including the Ameritania Hotel at 54th and Broadway, the Moroccan-themed Marrakech Hotel and their flagship 4 ½ star European-inspired luxury boutique property, The Sanctuary Hotel, located in the heart of Times Square. The Sanctuary Hotel was named International Hotel of the Year at the 2011 European Hospitality Awards and has been given TripAdvisor's Certificate of Excellence in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Its popular rooftop lounge Haven has been a hotspot for some of the city's most press-worthy events, their new restaurant Tender is garnering rave reviews and they continue to expand with projects including this summer's new outdoor Haven Beer Garden and the soon to open speakeasy Foxhole. In addition to their hospitality holdings on land, the father and son team also have several charter luxury yachts, which operate in Miami, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. READ MORE

Aloha! Kia Ora! Hey y'all! Bien Venidos! Bienvenue! Saa wee da ka or Saa wee da krap! Welcome! What happens when these words of greeting from different cultures are uttered? What do we associate with those greetings and the people in those states or countries who say them? How do they impact us emotionally and do they change the way we perceive and receive our experience in that place? READ MORE

Fairmont Hotels and Resorts is a good example of a company that aims its marketing efforts toward its employees. The company sees internal marketing as critical in achieving guest satisfaction, and consequently Fairmont is world-renowned for its excellent guest service. This article will focus on Fairmont's internal marketing programs, such as the employee reward and recognition program, programs that result in an employee turnover rate that is much lower than industry averages. Staff loyalty in turn encourages customer loyalty; repeat guests make up approximately 60% of Fairmont's business. READ MORE

Southern California is high on the travel and tourism industry's radar for the variety of nearby amusement parks, year-round ideal climate, pristine beaches, as well as being a wellness-focused spa mecca. The area attracts millions of leisure travelers each year to experience the luxury and boutique shopping and the award-winning dining options in its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Business travelers also prominently flock to San Diego throughout the year from all over the world due to the variety of conference venues, predictable climate and abundance of hotel accommodation options. READ MORE