When heads of state come to visit your hotel they usually make a bit of a show. The Russians are no exception, they even bring their own warship, the KGB and a wad of cash! I had the pleasure of witnessing the Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev arrival in San Francisco in June of 2010. He flew in the presidential plane, meanwhile his missile cruiser Varyag sailed into San Francisco Bay to accompany his visit. Heads of state often have a ship accompany them on their state visits. READ MORE

A guest of a hotel or chain books with an OTA. The OTA is grateful for the transaction, and hopes to get a nice share of that customer's travel bookings for years to come. The hotel is happy to get a (let's say) first time guest. Sure, they paid a commission for that booking, but the GM and their team is ready to do their stuff. Which is to say - deliver a great stay experience. Now what? The OTA that was used for the booking has the guest's information and sometimes they'll share that with the hotel, but not always. Now it's a battle of the marketers! READ MORE

Though it seems that online travel agencies have been a part of the hotel booking landscape for eons, the reality is that just 25 years ago, brick and mortar travel agencies were the norm. Travelers would visit an agency for trip planning advice, printed brochures, and to speak with actual travel agents to assist in booking airfare, hotel accommodations and rental cars. Travel agencies had the knowledge and information about the destination and, of course, the tools and connections to book hotels and flights to begin with. The support these agencies provided put traveler's minds at ease, especially for international trips. This was the foundation of why OTAs are in existence. READ MORE

In a world where almost everything is done digitally, it is important to remember how impactful a two-way conversation can be for consumers interested in booking travel. There is no denying that it has become easier and easier to plan trips online, and purchase products almost instantly - yet there are still many customers who want the personal touch and assurance that they truly understand what it is that they are buying. They want someone to provide direction, answer questions, and give them “insider” information. This is especially true for a dynamic destination like Atlantis where there are an abundance of options. Our guests aren't just interested in a resort, they are seeking a coveted, catered experience. READ MORE

A guest's social media is an opportunity for hotels to work better and more efficiently to target and enhance the guest experience. Coupling the data that guests give through social media with the data we have from years of growing AccorHotels, we are focusing on using the right tools to best access the guest. At AccorHotels, we are moving away from the transactional model of hospitality and focusing on building relationships through social engagement and bolstering the benefits of our loyalty program. In order to do both, we've invested in building better tools for our hotels to succeed on the promise of hospitality - great service, attention and comfort. READ MORE