The overarching web and social media presence of many hotel brands often don't educate potential guests on the amenities that differentiate one property from another. Many hotel websites and their social media initiatives seem content to simply post photos in the appropriate site subsections and list a selection of their hotel's perks on a standard Amenities & Services page. Then, they blindly hope that online consumers will find what they're looking for. That won't happen very often - not with today's social media savvy consumer. READ MORE

No matter how your organization is currently structured, it is important to involve your salespeople in your social media strategy. And since it is tough for a sales team to shift gears from “hard sales” to using social media, effort on the organization's part is extremely crucial to ensure they have your support. The majority of salespeople are already involved in various communication channels like email, phone, newsletters, etc., so why not give them the training on social media that is needed to make them even more successful. However, who has time for social media? Certainly not salespeople, right? READ MORE

By its very nature, the Internet has made our society very skeptical of electronic messages. Consumers no longer take any marketing message at face value. Specific to the hospitality industry, prospective customers are increasingly wary of what's being sold through hotel websites and direct advertisements. To gain credibility and thus generate new sales, you have to double your efforts on the core experience your property offers. Focus on making a select few aspects undeniably memorable, ensure that your guest services are flawless, and tell your tale wholeheartedly through your social media channels. READ MORE

In 2011, hotel brands and individual hotel properties embraced social media platforms as never before. Global brands such as Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Hilton International stepped out of their “comfort zone,” and experimented with everything from loyalty program rewards for Foursquare “check-ins,” to global “treasure hunts” executed via Facebook and Twitter. Smaller boutique hotel brands and independent hotels were innovators, as well, launching stylish promotions with like-minded partners, developing engaging video content, and deploying direct booking via Facebook. This article takes a look back at some inspiring campaigns - large and small - from 2011, and offers hints at new directions for the New Year. READ MORE

Never before in the history of our industry have hotels had so many opportunities to market and sell their room inventory. Facebook, TripAdvisor, Google, mobile, online, GDS and traditional voice, among countless others, present infinite opportunities to increase exposure for a property on a global level. However, there is one tool that remains crucial regardless of the channel you're selling through, and that is the hotel website. Many hotels, especially independents, have only scratched the surface with the foundation of their online presence, inadvertently making serious errors that may in fact be hurting their chances to sell. Following are the five website failures hotels make, along with how to fix them. READ MORE