For many travelers, this holiday season will be their first time taking a trip during the pandemic, and hotels should expect last-minute reservation changes, cancellations and a large volume of phone and chatbot traffic for the customer service team. In order to prepare, hospitality leaders need to ensure customer experience (CX) systems are operating smoothly to prevent overwhelmed call centers. READ MORE
David Ashen of dash design explores key dos and don'ts of creating memorable themed hotels and provides perspective on what works well – and what doesn't. Ashen examines the TWA Hotel in New York City, the brand new One11 in New Orleans, The Roxbury at Stratton Falls in New York's Catskills region and several others and shares takeaways on how to strike the delicate balance between cool and kitsch. READ MORE
Exploring partnerships for hotels with media players in an industry that's facing further fragmentation. Is it enough to offer access to streaming giants like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime? How are new players like Peacock and Disney Plus changing the game? What about other avenues like cloud gaming? Let's explore how COVID-19 has only made the prevalence of in-room entertainment more important. READ MORE
As if hotels didn't have enough to deal with amid the COVID-19 pandemic, cybersecurity is becoming a bigger concern. Hackers are capitalizing on the evolution of IT infrastructure and the increasingly important role it now plays in keeping operations up-and-running. In this article, we'll cover some ways to execute an end-to-end cybersecurity strategy and keep critical power assets protected. READ MORE
January FOCUS
Mobile Technology
For the hotel industry, mobile app development has always presented a paradox, especially for smaller chains and properties. Why would a traveler download my hotel's app if they are only staying for a single visit? Covid-19 has signaled a dramatic change in this approach: Mobile apps are now necessary for touchless check-in, check out and all communication with the hotel during the pandemic. Is this a permanent change? READ MORE
2020 forced the event industry to innovate and acclimate to a new way of doing things, and revealed new growth opportunities. On November 9, 2020, Marriott International kicked off Connect with Confidence, a hybrid event with both attendees on property and virtual attendees around the country. The event was not only a showcase for COVID-era safety and hybrid event technology - it was a model for the future of the industry. READ MORE
ARCHIVES
More from our online Library Archives...
Hotels are increasingly being hit with lawsuits claiming discrimination against disabled individuals in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The lawsuits are being filed by what are called ADA testers-individuals who visit businesses intentionally looking for non-compliance with the requirements of the ADA. Common complaints involve architectural barriers in the parking lot (e.g., inadequate or no handicap parking spaces) and lack of handicap accessible restrooms). This article evaluates access claims under the ADA in the hospitality industry, how to defend these claims and the significance and impact of a recent decision on future hotel-related ADA discrimination cases. READ MORE
In light of the "Me Too" and "Times Up" movement, recently passed County Hotel Worker Protection Act of 2018 will be requiring hotels to develop, maintain, and comply with new sexual harassment policies. With this new industry-wide pledge, hotel leaders agreed to enforce stronger safety and security measures for hotel employees. One of the ways they plan to carry this mission is through the use of safety devices known as "panic buttons." These new laws and regulations come at a pretty steep price to hotel employers, we want you to know what you can do to ensure you're protected. READ MORE
