As hotels begin reopening, it’s essential for management to have a COVID-19 outbreak prevention plan. Taking a multi-pronged approach can ensure best practices are followed and that every possible measure is taken to prevent infection. Educating Employees Begin by educating your employees. It’s natural to assume that everyone has been following best practices to reduce… Read more »
There is a dual-pronged trend among younger consumers – minimalism and making travel a priority. They want to accumulate experience rather than stuff. That means that they are willing to spend more while on the road to make their travel experience exceptional, but not by stuffing their suitcases with gift store tchotchkes. As a leader… Read more »
In previous blogs, we have discussed the importance of gathering customer data to deliver a better experience and to maintain your customer base. Once you have collected that data, it becomes your responsibility to protect it. A reputation for careless handling of data can hurt your hotel’s business, so make data security a priority. How… Read more »
Coronavirus is having a devastating impact on the hotel industry. It can be overwhelming to think about for those in the field. But the industry has been hit hard before – SARS, 9/11, H1N1, multiple recessions – and they have always bounced back. It won’t be easy, and it may take time, but the hotel… Read more »
Upselling can take place at any point in the process. Opportunities arise from the moment the reservation is made through check-in and beyond. Front-desk and pre-stay upselling often go hand-in-hand. Ideally, it is a team effort. The pre-stay period is especially ripe for preselling because employees are not faced with a long line of check-ins they… Read more »
Bargain travelers love Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), but hoteliers and even seasoned travelers frequently don’t. They give travelers little control over their experience. Hotel executives hate the high commissions they must pay and their inability to market based on service and amenities rather than just on price. This change is particularly challenging for boutique hotels… Read more »
Travelers look for accommodations that are like home but better. And in 2020, people increasingly automate their homes. They want to bring that experience with them on the road. They wish to be able to stream the same entertainment they do at home. They want to control light and temperature from their smartphones, and they… Read more »
If your hotel is in a location that tends to attract summer vacationers or bring in conferences and conventions when the weather is nice, you may find that the winter season is slower than you’d like. But you still have the same number of rooms to fill and similar expenses. How can you keep your… Read more »
Increasingly, travelers expect to see a significant part of their stays automated. On the one hand, automation can seem impersonal, but the reality is that it can drive a frictionless hotel experience by taking care of a lot of administrative tasks, allowing your employees to add the personal touch that can set your hotel apart. If a guest… Read more »
Airbnb is a growing threat to the hotel industry. Many people choose Airbnb for travel accommodations because they enjoy the homey experience it offers. It can make them feel less like a tourist at a destination and more like a resident. There are a couple of ways for hotels to approach this competition – compete on their terms or your own. For example, the difference that technology and personalization can make. Technology One of… Read more »