Most of the hotel owners and operators we have worked with recently plan major renovations on their properties at least every five to eight years. They often face very a similar challenge: managing risk and surprises through the process of maximizing the return on their investment. Very few renovations go as predicted though, resulting in significant danger to the physical plant, guest experience, and bottom line. READ MORE

For many industries, Big Data is the hot, in vogue marketing buzz word--and that includes the travel industry. The idea is an attractive one: having a trove of data about customer history and behavior should give the marketer invaluable insights into what guests want, how to attract them, how to sell to them, and how exactly to keep this guest coming back. The hard part, though, is somehow harnessing all those terabytes of data (which may come in several forms, from different sources) into something meaningful. And then, in translating that meaningful information into real ideas that you can try, test, and experiment with. This article will show you how to begin that process so you can fold the power of Big Data into your online/offline strategy READ MORE

In the last few years, Social Media has undergone a myriad of changes. New players have come on the to the scene, a number of informational websites have gone 'social' and, in addition, existing social media platforms have changed considerably. Where do hotels direct their effort in utilizing Social Media for the best return today? How does a hotel keep up with the many changes and rapid development in the Social Media world? Although change can feel like it happens overnight, a hotel's Social Media Marketing (SMM) efforts should always be driven first by the idea of engaging and promoting the brand to the customer and secondly by incorporating changes into the portfolio of a SMM Plan. READ MORE

You arrive in it, you leave via it, you meet friends and colleagues there, you linger there, or alternatively hurriedly pass through it. You register, you find your way, seeking direction to successfully navigate the next stage of your stay in the hotel. You encounter a whole list of experiences throughout it and of all the public areas you probably remember it - or alternatively find it as forgettable as any space in the Hotel, and yet what is it really? READ MORE

Hotels today face a lot of pressure. Competition in the marketplace, the struggling economy and lower consumer spending requires hotels to do more to acquire and engage new customers and create repeat business. It is hard to stand out, and to create a point of difference that not only matters to the customer but breaks through. This is why integrated marketing, the marriage of traditional marketing, event or personal engagement, and social media, is so very important to create a relationship with the whole customer. It feeds both rational and emotional needs and enables dialogue with the customer when he or she wants to be engaged. Integrated marketing tools provide the opportunity to get closer to that customer. And today, closest to the customer wins. READ MORE