Roughly 20 years ago, investors placed their bets on a variety of technology providers, expecting them to reshape the travel industry. And in the years since, Expedia, Priceline, TripAdvisor and others have done just that. You live in an environment largely shaped by these travel giants. The challenges hotel executives routinely recount in conversations with peers and the press — the increasing cost of distribution, the tyranny of guest reviews, the rapid pace of technological change — can be attributed directly to activities driven by guests and enabled by online travel providers. READ MORE

Back in the day, guest Wi-Fi services at hotels were handled entirely by the IT department. The primary purpose of a captive portal was to stop the users from getting access to the internet before you could charge them for that service. It used to be all about connecting devices. Now, more than ever before, it is about connecting guests to your brand. Although you still need support from your IT department, guest Wi-Fi services have moved from being an IT tool to becoming a critical business tool. READ MORE

Technology continues to advance in the 21st century with an increasing expectation that industries stay up-to-date on cutting-edge trends. The fourth industrial revolution we're moving into is making a monumental shift to embrace: intelligent personal assistants, augmented and virtual reality and artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. We've seen hotels already dip their toes in these subjects with voice controls in the guestroom, virtual reality tours in the pre-booking process and delivery robots moving through hotel hallways. This article will zero in on the benefits and uses of AI as well as a look toward the future. READ MORE

What information can I get from my monthly P&L to understand my business and make better decisions?” and “What's going on in my business?” The latter is the better, more applicable, piece for an operations manager who has a healthy sense of curiosity and a leader who wants to make a difference. These are the muscles you need to develop as a hospitality financial leader. It is not up to someone else (accounting) to chase you down and to get you on top of your numbers. It is the other way around. The sooner you see the opportunity in all of this the better for you and your career. It is not difficult. If someone stands in your way, find a way around them. Most leaders will not naturally do this, will you be one that does? READ MORE

In the midst of managing day-to-day operations, hotel and spa owners and managers must continually look forward and evaluate how to increase efficiency and profitability. As you balance overseeing current business and forecasting for the future, you are faced with the challenge of considering what changes will bring the most benefit to your organization. For spas, keeping watch of the latest trends in the spa industry and making relevant changes to your facility, treatment menu and customer service practices are important for success. But how do you know which trends and latest innovations will bring that success and which ones might not be worth their return on investment? READ MORE