One thing that the brands, chains. representation companies and third-party sites do very well is ensure that your property information, rates, availability and photos are available online - an integral part of ensuring that your hotel can be found and booked online on a functional level. Guests ensure that there are plenty of written reviews of your hotel and user-generated photos and videos of their experiences available to their peers. But there's a missing piece to the puzzle. Hoteliers typically have the best knowledge of what makes their hotel unique. This is why hoteliers have such an opportunity when it comes to marketing and merchandising online. READ MORE

A year ago, hotels assumed social media was a fad. Today, they're quickly trying to figure out how to use the new methods of communication to grow their guest base. Everyone is rushing to get on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Flickr, Google Wave, Yammer, Foursquare, and Google Buzz, but now that you're there, what's next? In this article, we explore what hotels, big and small, are doing with social media to drive brand awareness, engagement, and loyalty. It's time to get on the boat before you miss it! READ MORE

There are many elements that go into planning a group getaway; whether it's a group business trip, a family reunion, a friend's getaway or a destination wedding. For each of these groups the questions of where to stay and what to do will vary. What is the anatomy of a great destination for a group trip? The answer is simple, the right city for the right group of people. Equally important is the right accommodation and service for the group. Some of the most popular types of traveling groups are Corporate, Family Reunions, Friends Getaways, and Destination Weddings. The following is an exploration into these groups and some of their top destinations. READ MORE

The Internet has revolutionized the way consumers make travel purchasing decisions. In fact, according to a recent comScore Media Metrix study, more than 55 million consumers used web searches to research travel throughout the month of July 2006 alone. Moreover, the majority of those who conducted a web search booked travel online. According to Forrester Research, the Internet makes up one quarter of all travel sales today and is projected to grow to just under 50 percent by 2010, making Travel second only to computer software and hardware when it comes to overall category growth. Lodging companies have made significant strides in harnessing the Internet to leverage distribution and make it easy for consumers to research, compare and buy from their desktops; however, when it comes to building brands on the Internet, opportunity exists. With broadband penetration projected to reach 83 percent of U.S. households by 2008, the opportunities to leverage the medium, engage consumers, drive preference and manage channel distribution has never been greater. READ MORE

Self-service technology continues to evolve and play a larger role in everyday life. Consumers routinely purchase airline tickets, buy groceries and scan bar codes using self-service technology. Guests also increasingly use self-service kiosks to check into hotel rooms around the world. There's little doubt that consumers are comfortable with the technology. In fact, a recent survey conducted by Self-Service World revealed that less than 1 percent of respondents scored themselves 'low' regarding comfort level with self-service options. And the self-service trend is predicted to continue. READ MORE

Traditionally, we define luxury hotels as five-star resorts with sleek design, top-notch amenities, and expensive accommodations. At the most basic level, a hotel or resort experience is most luxurious when it offers indulgences and unexpected touches, and hotels often create lavish environments with sumptuous d'ecor and attentive service. Although it may seem counter-intuitive, technology, if properly applied, can help a hotel owner take both d'ecor and service to the next level. Every hotel, from an exclusive beachfront resort to a country bed and breakfast can use technology to create luxury. READ MORE

Thirty years ago many hotels were implementing their first Property Management Systems (PMS). Its main role at the time was to automate processes that had been handled manually. As the PMS has evolved, hotels have utilized these systems' capabilities to increase efficiency and maximize profits. Initially, this was accomplished primarily through interfacing and more recently, via integration and seamless communication. The complexity of our systems has increased and tech-savvy consumers are driving development. So, now that the PMS has evolved beyond merely managing our information, what will the Property Management System of tomorrow look like? READ MORE

Most hoteliers realize the importance of their Web face to their customers and the extent to which customers interact with the brand through that medium; therefore, we should always invest in the best possible experience for our visitors. Rich Internet Applications provide the potential to take that experience to the next level. The best way to decide if Rich Internet Applications are right for you is to recognize your current Web site's unique problems and identify optimum opportunities for improvement. READ MORE

Enhanced customer service, reduction to staffing costs, and a better utilization of hotel resources are just some of the hotel benefits obtained by successfully implementing self-service kiosks. Many customers are already accustomed to using self-service alternatives for airline check-in, rental cars and supermarket check-out. Today, customers are demanding the same convenience and ease of use in the hotel check-in process. READ MORE

Why has guest experience accelerated in importance over the past several years? Some say it's the build out of local markets where location and price have reached their zenith. Oversaturation is the death knell for many an operation. But there are still others that realize a focus on guest service and the guest experience has the potential to negate many of the affects of competition, location and price. In fact, many are finding that they can significantly increase revenue by focusing on guest service. READ MORE

Success in hotel operations means reducing costs and improving operational efficiencies while enhancing guest satisfaction. The most visible benefit of deploying a document management solution is an immediate reduction in manual processes and volumes of paper. Companies that choose to deploy a document management solution gain a rapid return on investment. The costs savings are easy to see: dramatic decreases in the time and labor required to search for and retrieve documents, increases in work capacity and productivity and reduced physical space demands for filing paper copies of documents in offices and off-site warehouses. READ MORE

Historically, the hospitality industry hasn't exactly been the leading hotbed of technology. Earlier this millennium, the best you'd usually find was billing and room reservation systems linked using the room TV as a display. And guest services tended to be centralized with terminals at reception and in restaurants. Now, IT is everywhere. In-room mini-bars are connected to IP networks that add purchases to the bill 30 seconds after a cold beverage is lifted from the fridge. The flat screen TV offers streaming music services with soothing screensaver photos. Even the room key has become part of a technology link that allows guests to buy food in restaurants and access voice mail and wireless Internet portals. And a new generation of gadget-minded and gear-toting business and leisure guests are forcing hotel operators to continuously -- and at warp speeds -- adopt new information and entertainment technology systems. READ MORE

Most resorts, hotels and spas have peak and off seasons. Some resorts in particular find their off seasons especially trying for many reasons including profitability, staffing and basic fiscal sustainability. No matter what position you find your facility in all is not lost. In fact, the down season can actually be transformed into a period of opportunity for growth, market renewal and baseline improvement. Not only can you enhance your market mix you can rethink your overall strategy for the year as well as grow your business as a whole. READ MORE

Running a spa in a hotel is a must these days as well as a hectic matter. The phone is ringing; the clients are streaming in at a steady pace. There are sheets to change and implements to be sanitized. What's more? The spa in your facility is no longer a fluffy amenity. Your spa is real business that affects if guests return. Your spa is expected to generate revenue, retain clients and top off what is expected to be a delightful excursion during each guest's stay. Is your spa profitable? If you can't measure it you will never manage it. Dive in to uncover the inner workings of your spa from facial room to retail and discover opportunities that you may not know your spa offers in terms of hidden potential. READ MORE

While it is obvious that the spa-goer or hotel guest is the primary client at any spa facility your staff or your internal clients are just as important. Particularly in the spa environment where clients are so closely handled, touched, and communicated with the tone of the technician's mood can make or break a client's experience. Consequently finding and retaining excellent staff with demeanors to match is a crucial although challenging part of running a successful spa. READ MORE