There’s no question that shared lodging has turned the leisure travel industry upside down. But will it be a gamechanger in corporate travel? With alternative lodging players now advertising more business-friendly bookings, and TMCs making them available on their platforms, it’s clear this option appeals to a number of business travelers. In today’s competitive marketplace, it’s important for hotels to understand where alternative accommodations stand in the business travel space and the potential for both lodging types to continue to grow and find success in capturing business travelers. READ MORE

Generational differences have always caused frustrations, in society as well as the workplace. The response to the millennial generation by many older industry professionals was originally to try to bend them to our own views and values: tell them the requirements of the job, enforce performance standards and disciplinary actions, tell them they are not special, and fire them if they can't get on board. What is interesting about this approach is the idea that we could completely change an entire workforce of over 80 million laborers. A series of discussions with numerous millennial workers offered insight on more positive and productive strategies. READ MORE

While the demand for hotel rooms far out-paces the number of overnighters staying in Airbnb properties, year-over revenue produced by Airbnbs has risen noticeably, almost doubling in 2016, putting many hoteliers on notice. As the hospitality industry reacts to the modern traveler’s trending desire for heightened experiences through intimate lodgings that embrace the local vibe, like those provided by Airbnbs, David Ashen, principal and founder of interior design and brand consulting firm dash design, shares ways that hotels are adapting to meet those desires, including features that compete with the rise of locally driven Airbnbs. READ MORE

Services that fail to change with the times, fall out of use: Robust, third-party QA programs are, surprisingly, one such otherwise valuable service that we may see disappearing as social media are increasingly used by guests and management alike, to determine the state of affairs and rankings of hotels and resorts. The replacement of professionals by amateurs, who are armed with a little knowledge and the full confidence of their own particular experience, is not necessarily an improvement; but it is certainly a reality. Part II of the three-part series on Quality Assurance looks at the pros and cons of each, and the best way to retain the professionalism of QA audits. READ MORE

Tourism is one of the greatest global industries that improves according to the continuous changes in tourism trends and consumer preferences. That makes the concept of innovation a vital concern for all hotels to stand out from the competition with successful applications and profitable operations. However, the importance of innovation has been long underestimated in guest experiences. Gone are the days that travelers were satisfied with an ordinary bed and breakfast. Travelers now look for improved cost/value relation and new innovative applications which promote the terms, “new tourist” and “new tourism products” to their offerings. READ MORE