Earlier this year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the percentage of workers who are union members dipped to 11.3%, the lowest in 97 years. The private sector percentage dipped to 6.6%, the lowest level since the 1950s, with the hospitality accommodation industry at 7.5%. For those establishments interpreting these statistics to mean that they do not have to be concerned about unions, think again. Union organizers and leaders are not giving in to the decline in membership and are confronting the challenge urging their members to think big. Establishments should be prepared to respond to union organizing. READ MORE

Is your hotel optimizing revenues and profits in these two key departments? Rooms and Food & Beverage departments contribute a major chunk of hotel revenues and profits. The mix between the two contributions depends upon location factors, number of outlets and so forth. Profitability is also very different between the two departments with Rooms far ahead. However, a well thought out strategy to create a powerful combination will greatly boost bottom line performance. At the end of the day the proof of the pudding is in the profit flow through that Rooms and Food & Beverage departments deliver. We take a look at this phenomenon that features in the thoughts of every owner, stakeholder or even the management. READ MORE

Online advertising is very important for companies that execute the majority of their transactions online. Here's why: if you're not visible in the place where potential customers are searching for hotels, then your hotel is not likely to secure a customer's booking. This article will examine the three different online advertising channels that I would recommend for hotels:social media marketing (specifically, Facebook ads), featured listings on OTAs and Google AdWords. READ MORE

“People don't like to be sold, but they love to buy!” These wise words are the mantra of sales authority Jeffrey Gittomer and have far-reaching implications for the hotel and travel industry. The statement also illuminates the many reasons why personalization is such an essential tool for hotel marketing. By successfully and meaningfully cross-selling and upselling their guests at their online destinations, hotel marketers can dramatically improve guests' experiences at their actual destinations. Everything you need to know is here in Maxymiser's 5 key Do's and Don'ts of personalization. READ MORE

Too many hotel managers don't know who their competition actually is. Why? Because the hotels which management identify as competitors are identified from their perspective, not from the perspective of the people who truly know the answer, the guests. While a full market research study can give you a myriad of valuable in-depth information about your hotel and its competition, there is an easy way for you to immediately and accurately identify your competitors. The next time you or some one of your staff is talking with your guests or potential guests, ask them the hotel's version of: The $64,000 Question. In this article, you will learn how the two parts of this game show question can give you valuable insights as to how you can quickly and accurately identify your true competitors, and why your guests and potential guest find them attractive. This understanding will help you structure a laser-approach to more effective marketing. READ MORE