IDeaS Releases 2024 Hotel Technology Predictions
IDeaS | November 15, 2023
Instagram: The Rising Phoenix of Social Media Marketing?
Lodging Interactive | July 11, 2023
Smart Strategies
Q2 Industry Perspectives: Looking Ahead for the Travel Industry
Jamie Mageau | August 18, 2023
By Jamie Mageau Over the last several weeks, many travel businesses released their Q2 earnings and shared their latest expectations. These insights and perspectives help us understand how some of the largest corporate travel players are viewing the state of the economy and its impact on the travel industry as well as opportunities or barriers on the horizon that may impact their continued growth. Here is a deeper dive into their perspectives. Leisure demand normalizing and returning to pre-pandemic trends Hilton CEO, Chris Nassetta: Leisure demand in the U.S. remained strong but grew more modestly year-over-year due to tougher compariso...
Corporate Buzzwords: Good, Bad, or Scaring Off New Hires?
EHL Insights | August 8, 2023
Corporate buzzwords, also known as jargon, are an everyday part of the office world. And people use them for many different reasons. These phrases sound trendy, create a sense of belonging, provide an easy way to shift gears in a meeting, or even allow us to make light of a challenging situation. But sometimes corporate buzzwords can also have a negative impact. According to a recent study by preply, some of these words are creating a rift in the workplace. Apparently, many employees view today’s most popular corporate buzzwords as annoying, and some jargon worsens the generational gaps. The negativity created by these words may be impa...
Having a Nash Bash: How Your Hotel Can Capitalize on Events To Increase Direct Bookings
Stephen Fitzgerald | August 8, 2023
By: Stephen Fitzgerald, Vice President, Hotels, at Sojern From bachelorette parties to concerts, Nashville is an increasingly-popular destination for events–and these events are selling out hotel rooms well in advance. Recently, the Music City hosted concerts from artists like Taylor Swift to George Strait, both of which drove a sharp spike in hotel bookings. In fact, room rates at mid-range hotels during the Taylor Swift concert weekend ran upwards of $1150 per night. And it’s not just concerts driving bookings: Nashville is becoming a bachelor and bachelorette party mecca, and many of these parties take place during weekends without ...
How Three—or Four—Factors Have Combined to Increase Travel’s Affordability
Aaron Szyf | August 4, 2023
A combination of increased wages, cooling overall inflation and declining travel prices have recently made travel more affordable. By Aaron Szyf Below, we take a deep dive into the data and what it means for travel. By the numbers: • Wages: Average private sector wages were up 4.4% in June year-over-year (YOY). This exceeds the rate of inflation (3.0% YOY), meaning that purchasing power has increased. • Overall inflation: Overall inflation moderated in June. While prices were still up 3.0% YOY, this is the lowest YOY increase since March 2021. • Travel inflation: While overall prices moderated, travel prices d...
The Current State of Business Travel: Business Traveler and Travel Manager Priorities
GBTA | August 4, 2023
GBTA and Uber for Business Examine the Complex Perspectives Between Business Travelers and Travel Managers in New Report The new age of business travel is intentional, with employees increasingly emphasizing work-life integration and changing dynamics This is according to a new report – “The Current State of Business Travel: Business Traveler and Travel Manager Priorities” – published today by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s largest business travel association, and sponsored by Uber for Business, Uber’s global enterprise platform for managing business rides, meals and deliveries. The report explo...
Holacracy or Wholly Crazy? Is a Flattened Hierarchy Suitable to Hospitality?
EHL Staff | August 2, 2023
By Dr. Steffen Raub, Dr. Bertrand Audrin, Dr. Stefano Borzillo One concept in the hospitality sector, known for its traditionally very vertical hierarchical structure, is sparking discussion about the future of specific hospitality industry organizations. It's called “holacracy,” a flattened organizational structure that seeks to distribute authority and empower employees at all levels. But is this innovative approach compatible with the hospitality industry's complex, highly hierarchical dynamics? In this article, we examine the question: Is a flattened organizational structure suitable for organizations in the hospitality industry? ...
Keeping the Start-Up Mindset Alive: Maintaining Innovation in a Scaling Organization
Aldair Borges | August 1, 2023
By Aldair Borges Often as organizations scale, they lose their edge. Things start to move slower, and innovation can feel few and far between. This post will outline seven key points I’ve learned for maintaining an innovative edge within a cross-functional product team, enabling growth and promoting creativity. 1. Empower your teams Workplace culture isn’t the main thing people look for when joining a company, but it’s certainly one of the reasons people stay, or in some cases, leave. As an organization scales, we often hear leadership teams emphasizing the importance of maintaining that “start-up” feeling of innovation and ...
Hotel Data Security Update: Time Is Short – Reporting Your Data Breach
Jim Butler | July 31, 2023
By Jim Butler and the Global Hospitality Group® This month, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced new rules requiring companies who experience a cybersecurity attack to publicly disclose the impact of the attack within four days. Hotel companies whose securities are registered with the SEC should take note of these regulations and develop a robust incident response plan. Bob Braun, senior member of JMBM’s Global Hospitality Group® and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Cybersecurity & Privacy Group, outlines the new regulations below. Time is Short – Reporting your Data Breach by Bob Braun, Hotel Lawyer Over the pa...
Karisma Hotels & Resorts Launches Autism Concierge
Karisma Hotels & Resorts | July 31, 2023
Achieves Autism Double-Checked certification for select resort brands in Mexico and the Dominican Republic MIAMI, July 31, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Karisma Hotels & Resorts, in partnership with Autism Double-Checked, is pleased to announce the introduction of the world's first-ever Autism Concierge. providing a dedicated contact for all autism-related questions and serving as an extension of the Autism Double-Checked comprehensive three-part training program. Karisma Hotels & Resorts is the first hotel group to offer an Autism Concierge, which encourages guests traveling with a child with autism or adult guests wit...
Choice Releases First “Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey” in Partnership With Harris Poll
Choice Hotels® | July 27, 2023
Survey finds consumers are prioritizing experiences and exploring the U.S. and want to spend less than $200/night on lodging ROCKVILLE, Md., July 27, 2023 -- Today, Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), released its first Choice Privileges State of the American Traveler Survey, a poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults that sheds new light on Americans' travel plans and priorities this summer and beyond. This survey, conducted in partnership with Harris Poll, comes as nine new brands with nearly 600 hotels, including Radisson Blu, Radisson and Country Inn & Suites, are now available to be booked on ChoiceHotels.com. Earlier this...
Hospitality Industry’s New Tipping System: What You Need to Know
EHL Insights | July 26, 2023
By Michael Gyger, Sébastien Fernandez How tips are distributed can quickly become a hot topic in restaurants and hotels. Employees care about justice and want to be rewarded according to their efforts. Is it fair that a server who is capable to deliver a better service than his or her colleagues (and gets more tips) has to put all the money earned in a pot that will be equally shared with other employees? Or, is it fair that a server keeps all the tips received when part of the excellent customer experience is also shaped by fellow colleagues (chefs, runners, bartenders)? None of these systems is totally fair, but they are used in many re...
TravelBoom Releases 2023 Leisure Travel Trends Study
TravelBoom | July 26, 2023
Study reveals customers are making up for lost time. MYRTLE BEACH, S.C., July 26, 2023 -- TravelBoom, the leading data-driven digital marketing agency for hotels, resorts, and vacation rental companies, released its annual Leisure Travel Trends Study after recently surveying approximately 2,000 travelers in 2023. The findings uncover the influence of an ever-changing economy on travel choices, increases in online bookings, an increased frequency of vacations, and the most sought-after amenities when booking. The study explores the step-by-step process travelers undergo when navigating a selection of locations, planning, and booking a vac...
Making Bartech Happen at the Hotel Lugano Dante
Adam and Larry Mogelonsky | July 26, 2023
By Adam and Larry Mogelonsky To enjoy the summer, one often needs a good cocktail. So, why not make it the most inspirational cocktail imaginable? For this, let’s dive into some ‘bartech’ to see how you can innovate in the restaurant and ramp up revenues in the process. Implementing change at any level of a hotel’s operations is always difficult for any number of reasons, and yet from the guest’s perspective often it’s the little touches that stand out to make the experience exceptional. While the two of us are perpetually bullish on technological upgrades and the growth of wellness at hotels, even the introduction of a fanc...
Serviced Apartments: Top Trends to Watch This Year
Eva Lacalle | July 24, 2023
By Eva Lacalle Marked by changing traveling patterns and blurred lines between working and living, the new era of hospitality shows no signs of slowing down. From bleisure travel to slomads, serviced apartments have a perfect opportunity to grab the spotlight – and some extra revenue. The trick is to stay on top of trends and implement them before your competitors do. Top 6 serviced apartment trends We'll explore the most relevant trends for serviced apartments – sustainability, multi-functional spaces, the rise of new target clients, extended stays, and much more. Keep reading to discover them all. 1. Sustainability Sustainabil...
Best Practices for Improving Employees’ Performance
Ana McFee | July 21, 2023
A company’s success is heavily dependent on the performance of its employees. It’s vital that managers take the necessary steps to help foster employee performance, so that goals are being surpassed, and the business is thriving. To boost employee performance, there are a few key strategies that need to be implemented. In this article, we cover eight strategies you can use to improve employee performance. 1. Analyze performance metrics Performance metrics provide managers with an in-depth look into employee performance. Effective metrics allow businesses to measure how well employees are working individually and as a team. It can...
Journeying With an Aim: How Is Purposeful Travel Changing Hospitality?
Reeves Mathews | July 20, 2023
By Reeves Mathews It is no secret that the hospitality industry has undergone many changes over the last few years. Simultaneously, the global health crisis and economic challenges made consumers undergo certain behaviour changes. These consumer changes, responsible travel organisations, conservation NGOs, and purpose-driven travel bloggers together contributed to incorporating sustainability and purpose into travel habits. Travellers today are thinking twice before they embark on an adventure. The conversation around travel and sustainability grew, working to minimise the negative effects of tourism and turn travel into a positive forc...
Summer 2023 Trip Length and Spending Are Both on the Rise
Allianz Partners | July 18, 2023
RICHMOND, Va., July 18, 2023-- Americans are planning to set their status to "out of office" for longer stretches and open their wallets a little wider this summer, according to this year's 15th Annual Vacation Confidence Index from Allianz Partners USA. While the traditional week-long vacation is still elusive, new research indicates travel is becoming a priority again based on longer trips and increased spend. As both travel and confidence have rebounded in recent years, the average number of nights spent away has been steadily creeping up and now sits at 4.5 versus 4.3 (2022) and 4.1 (2021). The shift is beginning ...
Develop Your Supportive Leadership Skills for a Healthier Workplace
EHL Insights | July 18, 2023
Have you heard of the recent trends such as the “Great Resignation”, “Quiet Quitting” and “Career Cushioning” that are transforming the job market? While most leaders are aware of these trends, many seem helpless to counter the problems that are causing employees to leave, underperform, and generally dislike their jobs. A very sobering study by UKG suggests that nearly 70% of employees feel that their manager has more impact on their mental health than their therapist or their doctor, putting their influence on par with that of their life partner. And 60% of employees worldwide say their job is the biggest factor influencin...
The Hotel Cloud Checklist
July 17, 2023
By Michael Heinze How The Cloud Enables Better Hospitality Hospitality is a personal and engaging industry, and hotels want their technology to reflect these qualities to better serve their guests. Despite the trend of larger hotels and the widespread availability of the Internet, guest expectations have remained the same. What has changed is how guests expect to receive services. In the past, bookings were made through mail inquiries, phone calls, or fax. Legacy PMS was the system used for these bookings, but it was built to meet the needs of 30 years ago. Today, guests expect personal recommendations, fast information, services, and t...
How Online Platforms Help Independent Hotels Compete in the U.S.
July 17, 2023
By Maryam Mujica OTA participation boosts profitability and proves net positive for travel accommodations, particularly for smaller properties. This is how. The US accommodation market is iconic. It’s 1950’s motels lining empty desert roads, sun-soaked Miami beach resorts, old-world luxury with park views and much more besides. No wonder the US is the world’s largest tourism market and its third most visited destination. Even after 3 years of pandemic shutdowns and restrictions, hospitality entrepreneurs remain resilient. Due to increasing consumer demand, many are expecting 2023 to be their best year yet. The market remains dy...
Instagram: The Rising Phoenix of Social Media Marketing?
Lodging Interactive | July 11, 2023
In a recent article, we discussed numerous inaccurate predictions of Facebook's downfall by many self-proclaimed "experts." In a similar vein, we now consider how Instagram offers savvy hotel marketers a true business advantage. The phrase "Instagram is dead" echoes through digital corridors, causing concern among hotel marketers. If I were to collect a penny for every time this is stated, the scent of the Caribbean's salty sea breeze would gently blow through the shutters of my private island. Yet, I understand this sentiment, as Instagram’s ever-changing landscape seems to be creating insurmountable roadblocks to follower growth and en...
Tourism Tidbits: Handling Stress for Travel and Tourism Professionals
Dr. Peter Tarlow | July 10, 2023
Dr. Peter Tarlow One of the ways that the travel and tourism industry promotes its leisure market is that vacations are a time to destress. Unfortunately, all too often travel, both for business and leisure, seems to promote stress rather than destressing us. Anyone who has ever traveled understands why travel in English is derived from the French word, travail, meaning hard work. Travel, especially in high season, is work. In today's complicated world, we deal with overbookings and airline cancellations, power outages and weather conditions, and in the twenty-first century, security and pandemic concerns have added extra stress to th...
Sunny Forecast for Summer Travel: Nearly Half of All Americans Are Planning to Vacation This Season
MMGY Travel Intelligence | July 6, 2023
Short-term trips, cannabis tourism and other trends stand out in latest MMGY Global Survey Building upon the significant gains from 2022, new research by MMGY Travel Intelligence indicates that the American tourism industry will experience another blockbuster summer in 2023. According to the latest edition of the research firm’s Portrait of American Travelers® study, more than three-quarters of U.S. adults plan to take a vacation in the next 12 months, with nearly half of all adults (48%) planning to travel this summer specifically. “Though certain segments continue to lag, including the meetings/conventions and corporate transient...
The Art of Communication: Are We Still In This Together?
Gary Hernbroth | July 6, 2023
By Gary Hernbroth “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” ― George Bernard Shaw Are you as frustrated hearing about “poor communication” as I am? I can’t think of a coaching client or organization I’ve worked with that didn’t have the area of achieving better communication at or near the top of its list of concerns. Adding to that, we heard a constant dose of the battle cry “We’re in this together!” from many different places in the industry when the Covid-19 pandemic was raging. Considering that so much of our ongoing communication between buyers and sellers still...
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