Over the years, there has been a systemic shift in guests' expectations of hotel food and beverage offerings. If you walk into most hotel bars and dining areas today, you may - or may not - be surprised to find hip locals, sophisticated guests and trendsetting staff mingling and socializing over artisanal drinks, selecting a sandwich from the in-hotel gourmet market or enjoying regional cuisine made with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients. By understanding these diverse needs, we are able to design our properties and develop our food offerings in a way that gives guests choice and control over where, when and what they eat, while they're at the hotel. READ MORE

Today's revenue management systems can help any hotel quickly and efficiently manage revenue tasks that would otherwise present a challenge. It can be difficult to stay on top of distribution across multiple channels when there are plenty of other issues facing a property at any given time. In the Revenue Management world, the differences within independent or branded environments can often be significant regarding how each respective entity deals with revenue management. Often, we're asked about differences in working with each type of property as it relates to strategies or RMS systems, and how TCRM approaches these unique challenges. READ MORE

Have we become immune to the terrorism around us? Travel. It is a privilege for all of us. Some may say it is a right for all of us as human beings. Travel is the way to connect and learn from each other -- the manner to promote tolerance and understanding. The activity from which we all grow and evolve as citizens of the world. And yet, the last 16 years of world terror have shaped and quite literally directed how many of us travel. READ MORE

The shift in calling a public area an art gallery first and a function space (pre-function) second was interesting to note. That's because, particularly during the last 10 years, art has become a necessary part of the story for all upper-end, boutique hotels. This is especially true in the United States, where there is scant opportunity for the display of notable, public art. Thankfully, hotels have been filling that niche, bringing excellent art to the general public and making it accessible. Now, quality art is not a nicety; it's an expectation. READ MORE

Because of the various food-related television series, podcasts, and websites, today's guests are certainly more knowledgeable when it comes to the culinary aspect of their visit, whether it is for vacation or attending a meeting. Today, there is no longer a standard formula for group dining and the development of group dining menus, especially when specific dietary requirements need to be addressed. This creates an interesting challenge when creating and developing menus for hotels. However, whether it is a group of 10 or 700, the end goal is the same: Satisfy the needs and wants of each one of the attendees. READ MORE