Ask any hotel asset manager what they are focused on these days and revenue management will undoubtedly be at the top of the list. Demand has reached record levels and supply growth remains largely in check, setting the stage for what promises to be another year of healthy RevPAR growth (forecasted in the four to six percent range, depending on the source). With strong gains in revenue comes increased profit potential. Exactly how much revenue will be realized from incremental sales lies squarely in the hands of revenue managers, who must grapple with an ever expanding distribution landscape and rising guest acquisition costs. The complexities surrounding hotel revenue management, coupled with its influence on bottom line results, has garnered much attention by hotel owners and investors, and by extension, the asset managers responsible for aligning operating team efforts. Hotel asset managers can help shape and support the revenue management function to ensure hotels achieve their profit targets and ultimately optimize the asset's overall value.

Anyone can execute a revenue management strategy—it's not just for the big guys. With a little bit of effort, using the simplest of tools, a revenue management program can make a big difference in your overall profit potential. Successful revenue management maximizes profits by shifting the focus of your business to managing your revenue per available room (REVPAR) and pricing based on demand, vs. simply selling all rooms at a particular price.

In the fast-paced, always-innovating online media space, hotel marketers have a newfound opportunity to invest in higher converting campaigns with increasingly smarter targeting technologies. Today's hotel marketer must have a forward-thinking and hospitality-focused online media partner who can guide them in bringing the most ROIs from this growing and complex channel.

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've probably heard a lot about the word “wellness” lately. As an increasingly informed public becomes aware of their own role in creating and sustaining a healthy lifestyle, changes are becoming apparent in all facets of life. After years of continued growth, Whole Foods Supermarket's sales have finally flattened; not because people don't want organic and sustainable options, in fact quite the opposite. The corner grocer is now stocking organic vegetables, locally farmed beef, and the ubiquitous kale, so Whole Foods is facing more competition. Sales of soda in the U.S. fell in 2013 to their lowest level in almost 20 years. Type in “wellness” in the ITunes App store, and you will have over 1500 choices. Hotels have to recognize that this is not a short-lived trend, it's a complete shift in mindset, and adapting to this new reality is imperative to stay relevant to today's traveler. Whether it's a few healthy items at the breakfast bar (rather than the sea of white often encountered) or the accessibility of bottled water, today's guests are looking for options that help them maintain their healthy lifestyle regimen while on the road. Since health-minded travelers tend to patronize the spa and fitness zones of the hotels they stay in, these are a good place to start when devising a wellness makeover.

With this article I will enter into the world of spa and wellness with a spiritual, relaxing and practical approach, in order for the reader to tune in, relate to and understand how a therapist should ideally perform a treatment to make sure that there will be continuous guest satisfaction at any possible time and how this industry works at the core. Furthermore this article should encourage companies, managers, trainers and colleagues to open up, really think out of the box and start to provide a supporting, interesting and operational work environment that leads to a sustainable business future for generations to come.

Basking in the afterglow of graduation season, this next generation is about to realize that the hard work is not behind them, but actually just about to begin. For many in this millennial group of enthusiastic graduates, they are about to embark on their first interview. Employers are not going to be impressed by the number of their Facebook friends, but instead by what they offer that is unique from the other candidates. The traditional career path to “success” is a bit more complex today. Hard work and strong professional ethics are alive and well, but this new workforce will have to navigate a challenging job market. Now, more than ever, it will be critical for the next generation of professionals to master the art of making connections.

For spa professionals and guests alike, wellness falls into a gray area of definition. Like so many other vague terms in the spa industry (such as detoxification, rejuvenation, anti-aging, and prevention), wellness is a term that tends to be overused and is not specific enough. Even more problematic, many times a spa does not meet client expectations of “wellness” or address true needs. “Wellness,” when undefined and undeveloped, often falls short of providing a comprehensive approach to help guests into new health patterns and out of bad habits.

Competing against big box hotels can be a daunting task. For the thousands of independently owned and operated boutique hotels it may even feel paralyzing. In absence of a widely recognized brand, a robust loyalty plan, premium hospitality software, and endless internal mobility and professional development opportunities (to highlight just a few), it's easy to lose sight of the many advantages and opportunities that exist for independently owned and operated boutique hotels. The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or simply can't emerge from the shadow of your big box neighbor, take a deep breath and focus on these “5 Forgotten Advantages of Boutique Hotels”

Featuring the unique characteristics of an area and destination by bringing the outdoors in is a growing trend amongst hotels and resorts. Now more than ever, as a way to create a sense of place for travelers, hotels have begun to seek inspiration from their own backyard when it comes to redefining an interior design theme. From architectural design highlights to fabrics, textiles and colors, the hospitality industry has found that integrating aspects of the natural environment is key to making a lasting impression, and offering an authentic experience for visiting guests of the hotel, whether they are in town for business or leisure. Personalizing guest rooms and common spaces to reflect the environment offers personality and has shown to create a dramatically more memorable experience.

Montage Kapalua Bay is the newest resort on Maui, which opened on June 1. Having previously been the Residences at Kapalua Bay, Montage Hotels & Resorts' designers were tasked with enhancing the existing structure to create a guest-friendly resort. A seasoned hospitality executive with more than 30 years of experience, Richard “Dick” Holtzman is the Vice President and Managing Director of the new Montage Kapalua Bay, and weighs in on the experience.