What:  "Traveling Through the Recovery: Ways THL companies should consider navigating the upturn"

When:  Available immediately

Where:  http://www.deloitte.com/us/THL/owntheupturn

Who:  Scott Rosenberger, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and leader of Deloitte's tourism, hospitality & leisure sector

Details:  Over the last several years, tourism, hospitality and leisure (THL) companies have experienced a downturn of historical proportions. Companies were glad to see 2009 come to an end. The protracted recession in the United States that began in late 2007 and the global meltdown of financial markets that occurred a year later led to a sharp cutback in spending from businesses and consumers. As both leisure and business travel contracted, many sectors suffered multi-year declines that were the worst ever recorded by industry-watchers.

"With the expected slow recovery, companies should continue to seek a competitive edge by having access to reliable, easily accessible data that can improve decision-making, by developing and training staff so that high levels of customer service are nurtured, and by keeping on top of new ways to reach and interact with consumers," said Scott Rosenberger, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and leader of Deloitte's tourism, hospitality & leisure sector.  "Companies that are the most nimble and responsive to changing consumers will likely be best suited to capture the opportunities found along the journey."

The Deloitte whitepaper examines several areas THL companies might want to consider to help them "own the upturn" as the market slowly begins to heal. The following five insights may offer some of the best opportunities for hotel companies to improve cost expenditures, streamline operations and connect with customers:

• Information-driven enterprise resource planning (ERP) initiatives
• Virtualization and information technology (IT) cost reduction
• Retaining and managing talent
• Strategic marketing
• Strategic cost reduction

Deloitte Consulting LLP
Deloitte's tourism, hospitality & leisure sector