Cast your mind back to a time in the hotel industry, that in order to register a complaint or a concern, a swift call downstairs to reception was all that was required, as opposed to requesting clean towels or apparent lack of via a terse Tweet directed at head office, to rectify the solution. Hotels now not only have to monitor social platforms and review sites such as TripAdvisor 24/7 for the opportunity to instantly smooth over an issue in real-time, but also are tasked with how to ingrain social media usage into the property itself in order to be more consumer-friendly. READ MORE

Hurricanes Irma, Jose and Maria recently made names for themselves in the Caribbean and along the southern and eastern coasts of the U.S. As hotels were unfortunately pummeled with Category 5 hurricanes, many people turned to social media. Facebook quickly became a dominant outlet to express well wishes, request updates on guest/staff safety, seek the hotel's condition and check the status of upcoming reservations. During a weather-related crisis, followers and concerned parties want - and expect - timely updates. While challenges are unavoidable, a hotel's ability (or lack thereof) to effectively communicate can significantly affect its brand reputation, guest relationships and long-term revenue. READ MORE

Marketing on social media has come a long way. It's no longer optional for hotels. They must be actively managing and growing their social media presence to positively impact customer engagement. The last two years have been particularly interesting with 71 % of internet users also using social media and more than 81% of the US population having a social media profile. Many people are using social media as their primary source of news and information. This article explores the key trends impacting social media in 2018 and some actionable takeaways for hotel managers to implement in the coming year. READ MORE

Hotels are learning to capitalize on their food & beverage offerings. No longer just a required, unprofitable amenity for guests, the hotel restaurant and especially the bar component are becoming proper revenue sources. People are spending more time—and more money—at these outlets. In some surveys, fully half of travelers report that they choose their hotel for its restaurant. And from the operator's point of view, hotels offer a number of advantages over freestanding restaurants, from not having to manage escalating rents to practical matters, such as having the assurance of a full-time engineering team on site. READ MORE

Answering reviews, whether positive or negative, is one of the best marketing investments you can make. Just remember to keep your cool, even in the face of outrageous complaints. Review sites like Trip Advisor and Booking.com are here to stay. Sadly, many hotels still aren't dealing with them very well. Either they ignore them (or seem to, by never commenting) or, in some cases, they get downright hostile. That's a no-win situation. Let's take a look at some classic examples followed by solutions on how you can do better... READ MORE