The journey now starts with a search as travelers increasingly go online to identify a hotel that meets their needs, preferences and priorities. In fact, 93 million American adults are now using the Internet to plan travel. Are you providing a compelling experience online that will turn these lookers into bookers? New research suggests you'll want to entice them with a mix of rich visual media, customer ratings and reviews, and social media. By engaging travel shoppers where they search, speaking to them in a relevant way and vividly showing them what makes you special, you'll make your hotel their preferred destination. READ MORE

Customer frequency programs are commonplace in many industries and known by many names.customer relationship programs, reward programs, discount programs, loyalty programs, rebate programs, frequent traveler programs, ad infinitum. But no matter what the name, two things are clear. First, the common element is rewarding customers for their purchases. Second, consumers have come to expect to be given an award for their purchases. So whether it is an airline, a coffee shop, a bread shop, a shoe store, a supermarket, or a hotel, every time customers spend something, they are asking, not what they can do for you, but what you will do for them. So if your hotel does have a frequency plan, or if you is thinking about instituting one, make sure it follows the silver, gold, and platinum rules for any loyalty program. READ MORE

Let's explore the emerging industry of electric vehicles and how adjusting your hotel properties to accommodate these vehicles will affect your sales, marketing, and reputation in the future. In addition, this article discusses ways car charging stations work, how rental car companies can help your business, and how electric cars will affect the hotel industry, among many. READ MORE

FF&E design can be a challenge, but we suggest that you focus on five high-impact areas: the lobby, technology, beds and bedding, case goods, and lighting. Our tips provide priorities that should make your job easier - and they certainly will create a hotel that impresses your guests. So if you're looking for a more perfect FF&E design experience, start here! READ MORE

Thinking Green is not just the 'right thing to do;' in the long run it is fiscally responsible and also adds to the overall guest experience. Ever since our company launched a series of initiatives aimed at promoting environmental practices to reduce environmental impact, improve the bottom line as well as satisfy owner and guest expectations for environmentally conscious hospitality practices we have noticed a substantial rise in corporate "green" awareness and a significant impact on our bottom line. To get the job done, we adopted a number of action items. READ MORE