Since first coined in the early 1980s, the boutique hotel is one with quite the noteworthy story. Though a story of evolution, its true claim to fame is how its model has changed the industry. A look at today’s hotel landscape showcases the undeniable influence boutique hotels, generally 100 rooms or less and almost always independently owned and many times self-managed, have had on the industry. Whether in design, location, in-room amenity options, or the locally supported one-off venues that make every ‘must see’ destination guide, the distinctive characteristics that define these hidden gems have gone mainstream. Read on...

A lot is said about maximizing hotel revenue per available room, but what of revenue per available square meter? It’s a broadened mindset that may be needed from any hotel that aspires to attract the world’s several million business travelers to their property but doesn’t quite know where to begin. Indeed, as Hotel Analyst’s Katherine Doggrell recently observed: “MICE has been a thorn in the side of the sector since windowless rooms with biscuits were invented. Any hotel worth its salt has to have them, but selling them is ... hardly an efficient process. Dead space in which many go to die.” Read on...

Industry metrics have 2017 poised to be another banner year in the meetings business. The trend looks to only continue into the foreseeable future presenting new challenges and opportunities to meet, and hopefully exceed, the expectations of the client, planner, and hotel alike in this dynamic environment in which we find ourselves. The influx of meetings has increased over the last few years considerably along with the expectation to create a memorable ‘experience’ has meeting planners and hotels donning the ‘creative hat’ more frequently to provide a unique event that resonates long after the meeting has concluded. Read on...

We see so much written these days on the similarities and differences in the lifestyles of Millennials, Gen X, Gen Y and Baby Boomers. How are Hoteliers navigating through these differences and similarities so the investment in bringing so many people together for a meeting is realized by the host? While some may think the answers are very obvious, there certainly are opportunities for individual hotels and brands to make their mark and make claim to more market share. At the end of the day, market share defines how effective our brand message, marketing dollars and direct sales efforts are serving our owners and associates who depend on those results for their livelihood. Read on...