Today's millennial traveler is dominating the way that hospitality marketing professionals showcase their products to the consumer. Many of the changes and innovations being seen in the hospitality industry today feature a distinct focus on the millennial. And it's no wonder - millennials comprise a vast segment of the traveling public and it's expected that they will continue to use their discretionary income on travel experiences in the coming years. Best Western Hotels & Resorts is not unlike others in this regard, and we have implemented several strategies to ensure we are evaluating the evolving needs of millennials. READ MORE

Hotels have spent the last decade trying to come to terms with a changing technology landscape that upended not only their sales and marketing strategies, but their operational processes, too. Now they face an even greater shift - one that will change their sales and marketing culture for years to come - the rise of the Millennial generation, and with that, the emergence of Millennial meeting and event planners. In parallel with a rapid increase in Millennial leisure travelers, this new generation of young adults increasingly comprises the largest age group attending meetings & events, which are very often planned by a Millennial. READ MORE

Fundamentally, the difference between a “Good Brand” and a “Great Brand” is the ability of the organization, through its products, people and communications to engage on an emotional level. “Good Brands”, and most successful brands are good brands, deliver promised services consistently and achieve high satisfaction ratings. “Great Brands” do exactly the same thing, but achieve off-the-charts satisfaction ratings because they have connected at a deeper level. On a more prosaic level, a visit to the marketing and revenue management teams “Good Brand Inc.” is an immersion into complaints about OTAs and commodity pricing pressures (discounts); a visit to the same group at “Great Brand Inc.” is an eye opening exposure to sustained margins, direct bookings, and eye-watering occupancy figures! READ MORE

Investing abroad may present lucrative opportunities in the form of new markets and customers. Hospitality companies, however, often face unique challenges when doing business abroad. For example, in 2009, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez ordered the expropriation of a Hilton-run hotel on the resort island of Margarita in Venezuela to help develop tourism projects within a socialist framework. Similarly, in 2011, the Sri Lankan government declared ownership of a Hilton-run hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka following a rent-related dispute with the foreign investor. Hospitality companies considering investing abroad thus should be aware of the tools that may be available to protect their international investments. READ MORE

In this article, we will consider some of the values, attitudes and skills it takes to be an effective leader in the hospitality sector, striving to form a lasting culture of service, teamwork and excellence. Furthermore, such a discussion will help illuminate what hospitality leaders might look for or consider as they nurture a next generation of leaders for their industry. In this way, we turn the mirror upon ourselves, prompting us to rethink our own capabilities, principles and sense of purpose as leaders. READ MORE