Penn State School of Hospitality Management Receives $4 Million From Marriott Foundation
Penn State School of Hospitality Management | July 23, 2019
Hotel Industry Unites on New Campaign to Fight Human Trafficking
AHLA | June 26, 2019
Education
PolyU Study Finds Photos Tell More Than a Thousand Words
October 26, 2018
A new data mining technique developed by Professor Rob Law of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and his co-researchers is able to capture extensive information on travellers' behaviour and travel patterns from huge photo datasets. In a recently published paper, the researchers apply the method to almost a million photos uploaded by Australian travellers to the photo-sharing site Flickr to discover their sequential travel destinations and itineraries, thus producing a wealth of information that could "support destination marketing organizations (DMOs) in promoting appropriate destin...
At the Front Desk, Voice Inflection Can Change the Entire Meaning of What We Say
Cathy Cook | October 15, 2018
By Cathy Cook It has often been said that as much as 80% of communication takes place non-verbally. It is certainly true that facial expressions such as what we show with our eyebrows, our smiles (or lack thereof), and body language, which is what we show with our posture and gestures, all are essential for communicating. While communication is an important topic for all guest services departments, it is especially essential at the front desk because more often than not, they are the main point of contact for all guest requests. Although non-verbal communication is certainly essential, it is also important to focus on the subtleties of ...
Cornell Hospitality Research Shares Index and Analysis on Hotel Brand Reputation in U.S. and Canada
Chris K. Anderson, Ph.D. | September 26, 2018
Chris K. Anderson, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration Saram Han, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration Abstract Using monthly online reputation data from 2016 through to the first quarter of 2018, we index major hotel brands in the United States. This analysis of online reputation for branded properties yields three major conclusions: (1) the variation in reputation across brands is four times larger than the variation across chain scales; (2) online reputation is mainly a function of brand and sub brand rather than segment or hotel location; and (3) variability in reputation across hotels within a brand is gr...
In Control With Mobile Booking Apps?
September 24, 2018
Whether or not consumers believe they have control over events in their lives determines their likelihood of reusing hotel booking apps, find Professor Rob Law of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and co-authors in a recently published study. This belief is known as "locus of control" (LoC), the researchers explain, and consumers with an internal LoC are more likely to use hotel booking apps because they feel more positive about their ability to use technology and overcome any difficulties they may encounter. In contrast, consumers with an external LoC are likely to only use travel...
Cornell Center for Hospitality Research Publishes Hotel Brand Reputation Analysis
the Center for Hospitality Research | September 17, 2018
Ithaca, NY, September 17, 2018 - Cornell University's Center for Hospitality Research has released an index and analysis of hotel brand reputation in the United States and Canada, revealing important insights into the role played by brands in the hotel industry today. The first of its kind in terms of the scale of the reputation data analyzed, the report analyzes over 30 million reviews of more than 30,000 branded hotels posted to 47 review sites between January 1, 2016 and March 31, 2018. The report categorizes brands according to the six segments identified in STR's chain scale report and ranks them using ReviewPro's Global Review Ind...
ServSafe Workplace Debuts With Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Suite
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) | September 13, 2018
Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 2018—The National Restaurant Association, parent organization of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), today announced the launch of an online training suite focused on Sexual Harassment Prevention, the first programs in its new ServSafe Workplace training line. Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Restaurant Industry and Sexual Harassment Prevention in the Hospitality Industry are interactive, digital training programs that address sexual harassment and the harmful impact it has on individuals and businesses. There are employee and manager versions for each program. Develo...
PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management to Collaborate with China Outbound Tourism Research Institute in Education and Research
September 4, 2018
The School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) and China Outbound Tourism Research Institute Ltd. (COTRI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today (4 September 2018) to promote collaboration in tourism education and research. COTRI is a research institute headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, which provides support for strategic and sustainable developments of varied segments of the Chinese outbound market. Established in 2004, it offers organisations and institutions with customised services in research and consulting, quantitative and qualitative data and analysis, training ...
KTN Announces an Innovative New Front Desk Hospitality Certification Program
Kennedy Training Network, Inc. | August 27, 2018
Now Front Desk Agents Can Become "Certified in the Heart of Hospitality" Florida, USA – August 27, 2018 – Kennedy Training Network Inc. Now your front desk colleagues can be Certified in the Heart of Hospitality and achieve what will soon be a highly coveted industry designation of being CHH. KTN President Doug Kennedy said: "Unlike other lodging industry certification programs which involve taking a passive, online class followed by an easy-to-pass multiple choice online test, KTN's CHH program is a highly engaging and personalized journey, which is essential for teaching intangible skills such as hospitality. He ...
Inc. Magazine Includes The Carver Companies in Annual List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies
Inc. Media | August 15, 2018
THE CARVER COMPANIES Ranks No.1033 on the 2018 Inc. 5000 With Three-Year Revenue Growth of 477% Percent NEW YORK, August 15, 2018 – Inc. magazine today revealed that Atlanta based, The Carver Companies http://thecarvercompanies.com is No. 1033 on its 37th annual Inc. 5000, the most prestigious ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents a unique look at the most successful companies within the American economy's most dynamic segment—its independent small businesses. Microsoft, Dell, Domino's Pizza, Pandora, Timberland, LinkedIn, Yelp, Zillow, and many other well-known names gained their fir...
Robots: Hotel Customers Like Them (Mostly)!
Rohit Verma | August 13, 2018
By Lina Zhong and Rohit Verma When Captain Kirk or Mr. Spock needed information, they would hail the Enterprise's computer, and the computer would respond to their request. In 1966, that was an amazing piece of science fiction. Now, with Siri, Alexa, and other devices with artificial intelligence, we all are figuratively standing on the bridge of the Enterprise, speaking to devices that are "listening" to us and fulfilling our simple requests. As the Internet of things grows, robots and other devices using artificial intelligence can handle a growing list of tasks, such as turning up the heat or air conditioning before a homeowner arriv...
PolyU Study Finds Food Tells Stories on Social Media
July 19, 2018
Understanding what motivates travellers to share their food-related experiences through social media is important because that information influences others' behaviour and acts as a form of destination marketing, according to Dr Ksenia Kirillova of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her co-researchers. Having conducted interviews with South Korean social media users, the researchers identified various patterns of food-sharing behaviour, revealing that the motives for sharing were related to both psychological and functional benefits, and to self-focused and altruistic benefits. ...
PolyU Hosted Inaugural World Summit for Deans of Independent Schools of Hospitality and Tourism
PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management | May 30, 2018
Initiated and hosted by the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), the first ever World Summit for Deans of Independent Schools of Hospitality andTourism was held at Hotel ICON on 27-29 May 2018. The Summit provided a unique platform for deans of 40 institutions from more than 20 countries and regions to discuss and define the future course of strategies for hospitality and tourism schools, and to share solutions to common issues in an effort to promote further growth of hospitality and tourism studies within comprehensive universities. On 28 May, the Summit was opened with welcomi...
PolyU Study Urges Hotels to Create a Green Culture
April 26, 2018
With the ever-increasing concern about worldwide environmental problems, the findings of a recent study by Dr Eric Chan, Dr Alice Hon and Dr Wilco Chan of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and a co-researcher provide much-needed practical suggestions that should help hotels aiming to implement environmental management programmes. The researchers highlight that gaining employees' support for new environmental initiatives is key to ensuring success. Equipping employees with sufficient environmental knowledge is important to raising their awareness and concern, and should encourage th...
FAU Entering Top 25 ‘Best Master’s in Hospitality Management’
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) | April 12, 2018
Boca Raton, Florida, April 12, 2018 — Florida Atlantic University (FAU)'s hospitality and tourism management program has now been ranked among the Top 25 "Best Master's in Hospitality Management" programs. This ranking is from College Choice, a leading authority in college and university rankings and resources. The full ranking is available here. This now puts both the undergraduate and master's programs in hospitality and tourism among the Top in the country with the undergraduate program among the Top 30 as ranked by The Best Schools. Peter Ricci, director, mentions that this fast movement to be among the best is a combination o...
PolyU Study Finds Right Audience Critical for Destination Marketing Mini-Movies
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University | March 28, 2018
Destination marketers interested in how to produce effective mini-movies to market travel destinations need to ensure that they target the right audience, according to BSc graduate Tianyi Gong and Dr Vincent Tung of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. In a recently published research paper, the researchers observe that mini-movies are an increasingly popular and effective form of advertising, but many current efforts are missing the mark. In some circumstances mini-movies may actually have the opposite of the intended effect on the destination's image. Mini-movies have recently beco...
UNLV Hospitality College Unveils One-of-a-Kind Gaming-Focused Graduate Degree
Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV | March 13, 2018
Las Vegas – In January 2018, the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV launched the world's first master's degree program centered on gaming. The Master of Hospitality Administration (MHA) Gaming Management Track was designed to boost professionals who are trying to widen the scope of their expertise to include gaming, which is becoming more pervasive across destination markets and online platforms throughout the world. Students eligible for the program, which is offered totally online, include mid-level professionals with more than three years of experience in a management capacity in the hotel-gaming industry. Graduat...
AJ Capital Partners and Cornell University Begin Construction for Graduate Roosevelt Island Hotel at Cornell Tech Campus
AJ Capital Partners | March 12, 2018
New York, Ny. - AJ Capital Partners and Cornell University are pleased to announce the start of construction for Graduate Roosevelt Island at the Cornell Tech campus, part of the Graduate Hotels collection. AJ Capital selected Emigrant Bank to provide a $60 million five-year floating-rate construction loan. Jones Lang LaSalle acted as broker for the financing. Cornell Tech, which opened its first phase of the new campus last year, is a revolutionary model for graduate education, extending Cornell University's research and academic prowess to the heart of New York City. Created for travelers who seek memory-making journeys, Graduate Hote...
PolyU Study Finds How Hotel Loyalty Programmes Can Boost Brand Relationship Quality
February 28, 2018
Well-designed hotel loyalty programmes can increase members' satisfaction and improve the quality of their relationships with the associated brands, according to Dr Ada Lo of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University and her co-authors. In a recently published article the researchers highlight the loyalty programme features that are most effective for building brand relationship quality (BRQ), and how BRQ contributes to outcomes such as members' word of mouth recommendations and purchase intention. The researchers explain that many hotel chains offer loyalty programmes as a means to "rewar...
IBC Partners with AHLEI to Bring Certification Programs to Its Independent Hotel Members
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) | February 20, 2018
Certification improves a property's profitability, guest satisfaction, and employee retention and it makes that property stand out as a preferred choice for travelers Phoenix (February 20, 2018) – Studies show that education and training leads to higher employee retention and guest satisfaction. As such, IBC Hospitality Technologies has partnered with the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (the long-time training and education arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Assn.) to provide IBC members with hospitality industry certification resources. As an IBC member, independent hoteliers can purchase online study mate...
Digital Signage Expo 2018 to Offer Educational Opportunities in Digital Signage for Hotel Operators, System Administrators, Marketers and Technologist
DSE | February 13, 2018
Atlanta – Digital Signage Expo (DSE), the world's largest international trade show and educational conference dedicated to digital displays, interactive technology and digital communications networks will present new educational opportunities designed specifically for hotel operators system administrators and technologists March 27-29, 2018, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The seminar programs are part of DSE's Educational Conference designed to help attendees learn about the newest technologies available, how successful digital signage strategies are being implemented, and how to best take advantage of them to strengthen gues...
Carver Companies Finalize Expansion into Canada
the Carver Companies | February 6, 2018
Carver Hotel Group and Carver-Olson Search Expand Services into Canadian Market and Prepare for United Kingdom ATLANTA, GA – February 6, 2018 – In an aggressive growth move, Carver Hotel Group (CHG) and Carver-Olson Hospitality Search (CO) have announced the finalization of expansion of their services into Canada. The completion of this process will allow for Canadian clients to assure utilization of Canadian citizens on their assignments, to be invoiced and transact business in Canadian Dollars (CAD); and for Task Force Consultants to invoice and be paid in CAD, utilizing the same "Five Day Pay" commitment that has set Car...
The 93rd Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell Conference Theme “A Sense of Place” to Explore the Experience Era in the Hospitality Industry
the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University | January 31, 2018
Co-owner of Make It Nice, Will Guidara '01, to speak on new trends in the area of guest experience Ithaca, NY, Jan. 2018 – The 93rd Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell will once again return to the campus of Cornell University on March 15-18, 2018, to be held at the Statler Hotel in Ithaca, NY. The theme for this year's conference, "A Sense of Place", explores the rise of the experience era in hospitality through a variety of panels, workshops and specialized events. A 93-year-old tradition of the School of Hotel Administration, Hotel Ezra Cornell is one of the most beloved events at Cornell University and an unparalleled introduction to th...
New Edition of Planning and Control for Food and Beverage Operations Textbook Reflects Industry Trends, Technology Updates
the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) | January 25, 2018
Orlando, Florida, January 2018—The ninth edition of Planning and Control for Food and Beverage Operations is now available from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI). Written by Jack D. Ninemeier, Ph.D., this essential management textbook introduces readers to the control processes used to reduce costs and increase efficiency in food and beverage operations in restaurants and hotels. The book explores how planning and control functions can help operations work smarter, compete for greater market share, and provide value to guests. New to the ninth edition is a chapter feature called "Advice from a Mentor,"...
PolyU Study Finds Russian Tourist Satisfaction Hinges on Hotel Features
January 25, 2018
The majority of Russian tourists are highly satisfied with Hong Kong's upmarket hotels, according to the findings of a recent study by Dr Denis Tolkach and Dr Tony Tse of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). A consideration of more than a thousand online reviews written by Russian guests revealed a particular appreciation for Hong Kong's spectacular views and attentive and friendly hotel staff. While there are a few negative issues that hotels may wish to focus on improving, the findings present an overall positive picture. Despite its size and importance, the researchers not...
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