Two Ways That Technology Can Mitigate Rising Labor Costs
North American hotels are experiencing record revenue as the economy continues to grow, but there is a downside to all this economic growth. Wages in the hotel business are rising faster than rates, which can cut into a hotel’s margins. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that total compensation for [...]
Harnessing Your Hotel Data to Drive Profitability
There’s an old Latin adage “knowledge is power.” Though the phrase itself dates to early recorded history, it’s still as relevant today as ever. It’s especially true for the modern hotel business. It’s now possible to turn what was once invisible data into actionable insights from which to make smarter, [...]
That Reservation Could be Costing You
One of the biggest challenges to a hotelier’s bottom line is guest acquisition costs. It’s why we’re seeing major hotel companies such as Hilton create ad campaigns designed to encourage customers to book direct. According to Forbes.com, third-party online travel agencies (OTAs) charge up to 30% in commission fees per [...]
Property Spotlight: King Hendrick Motel – Lake George
After a winter full of blizzards, many in the Northeast are dreaming of summer right now. This week we travel to upstate New Year to visit a seasonal property that is part of the SkyTouch customer community. The King Hendrick Motel sits on four acres in the heart of Lake [...]
Monetize Your Hotel Guest Check-In
Hotels are now charging guests more than ever before. But in many markets, new hotel construction is eating away at demand and lowering overall occupancy. That makes it more difficult to continue increasing rates at the same pace as the last several years. According to R. Mark Woodworth, Senior Managing [...]
How The Cloud Makes Hotels More Efficient To Operate
North American hotels are experiencing record revenue as the economy continues to grow. In January the U.S. added 200,000 jobs, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In fact, the U.S. economy experienced job growth for 88 months in a row, according to a report by NPR. But there is [...]
More ‘New’ Hotels Coming. Are you Ready?
Rapid new hotel development and increased renovations of older properties have transformed local and regional markets across the United States, forcing many hoteliers to consider new strategies to stay competitive. According to Lodging Econometrics, by the end of 2018, the number of hotels and rooms in the United States is [...]
Smartphones are Changing the Hotel Business
Smartphones have revolutionized the ways we interact with each other and the ways we do business. The hospitality industry is no exception. Mobile technology has forced hoteliers to reinvent the way they connect with customers and how they manage day-to-day operations. Here are some of the top ways smartphones are [...]
Hotel Spotlight: River Lodge & Grill
It is time to feature another member of the SkyTouch community. This week we travel to Boardman, Oregon where the River Lodge & Grill offers guests panoramic views of the Columbia River. In fact, it is the only hotel that is right on the river in all of Boardman and [...]
SkyTouch to provide Cloud-based PMS to its growing portfolio of hotels
“As a brand, we evaluate and select leading technology solutions that make life easier for our hotel owners and staff and create a better experience for our guests,” said Jon Kennedy, president of GrandStay Hospitality, LLC. “Because we are a 24-hour operation, we also needed support that is available 24 hours [...]
Get to Know the Ohio House Motel
We love featuring SkyTouch customers with great stories. This week we feature the Ohio House Motel in the heart of Downtown Chicago, IL. It is located on a spot coveted by fans of the Chicago Marathon. “We're the main spot where everybody starts,” said Edgar Bran, General Manager of the [...]
GrandStay Hospitality partners with SkyTouch Technology for property-management system
GrandStay Hospitality LLC, the franchisor for GrandStay Hotels, and SkyTouch Technology have formed a deal that will bring SkyTouch Hotel OS to the hotel brand's 41 properties. Accessible from anywhere, the cloud-based SkyTouch PMS provides visibility and control of operations through real-time business analytics. Read the full article here.
Hotel Technology: Trends or Fads?
Be warned. Not every hotel industry technology is long lasting. For every one that sticks, many more quickly fade into obscurity. Remember in-room fax machines? Keyboards for in-room TVs? Bathroom phones? When spending hard earned dollars, hoteliers must be sure their investment pays itself back many times over. Which can [...]
What the Tax Reform Law Will Mean for Hoteliers in 2018
With the biggest tax overhaul of 30 years now complete, there are several items within it that may be favorable to hoteliers and the hotel business, according to the experts. That’s great news as the new tax law is giving hoteliers additional tools from which to expand their businesses, protect their [...]
It’s 2018… Now What? Tips for Hospitality Industry Success in the New Year
It’s a new year. That makes it a time chock full of potential opportunity and possibility for your hotel business. However, to find maximum success in 2018, it’s critical to be aware of the mega trends shaping the current and future state of the hospitality industry. Here are three issues [...]