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 reservation. For a room that [...]
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 Director of CBRE Hotels’ Americas [...]
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 changing the hotel business: Booking [...]
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 be tricky if you don’t [...]
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 current investments, and secure their [...]
Customer service, especially during the busy season, is crucial to the success of any hotel. Today there are more ways than ever to attract guests, however it is essential that hoteliers don't lose sight of customer service best practices. We've compiled the following 8 proven practices that are sure to help your staff woo [...]
Data security is an increasingly critical concern for hoteliers. Until recently, the issue had been bubbling below the surface and wasn’t as often discussed outside IT circles. But a security breach last fall at InterContinental Hotels Group and others in the hotel industry, are thrusting the issue into mainstream hospitality industry consciousness. That issue affected [...]
The back to back sucker punches of Harvey and Irma caused untold damage, and significant loss of life; a tragedy of epic proportions. But, the storms also brought out the best of humanity. Especially for the hotelier community. As we all know, hoteliers are imbued with the spirit of hospitality, and many times become de [...]
The old cliché is right: all good things do come to an end. But that doesn’t mean all endings are negative. Endings sometimes push us to change tactics in new and interesting ways perhaps not previously explored. And that opens opportunity. One “good thing” predicted to come to an end for hoteliers: continued lofty occupancy [...]
Your most profitable guest is your most loyal customer. Though many hoteliers crave turning their OTA customers into clients, they simply don’t know how. We’re here to help you create more loyal, higher margin guests. Here’s our step by step guide of best practices that will help you turn those more expensive to acquire OTA [...]
