In the 1990's, I interviewed several futurists who, amongst other predictions, anticipated the omnipresence of robots in the workforce. In 2001 (unrelated to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey), I spoke at a butler convention about a convergence of "hominids" (humans) and robots: the robots becoming more human and the humans becoming more robotic-and warned that this did not augur (signal) well for humans who preferred superior service. Hospitality, basic definition is friendly, which comes from an Indo-European root word meaning love. Met any friendly robots recently, ones who expressed their heartfelt love? Or for that matter, from staff who lack passion for service? READ MORE

When compared to older generations, millennials may not be the most well-traveled group, but they are on their way to becoming top travel consumers. According to a Harris Poll survey, millennials, those born from the early 1980s to the early 2000s, already plan to spend about $226 billion on travel this year. For this reason, it is important hotels and restaurants truly understand the consumer power of millennials, and the importance of capturing and keeping their business. READ MORE

The rise of millennials in the workforce is challenging conventional rules of employment. Driven by a desire for better work-life balance, the new majority generation is demanding greater flexibility in how and when they work. For forward-looking hoteliers, this creates an opportunity to rethink the way they schedule labor in favor of flex systems that allow them to fill shifts based on projected and actual demand while empowering their workers to structure their time to better meet personal as well as business needs. READ MORE

Hotel architecture and design is a hot topic in the hospitality industry lately, as new hotels are constantly being built around the world and existing hotels are showcasing million dollar renovations. Owners and investors are getting more involved with interior designers and architects in order to spend time discussing the hotel or brand vision before going any further. Owners and hoteliers are understanding more and more the need for smart design concepts and smart decisions in terms of renovations, as they do not happen often. READ MORE

As this edition of Hotel Business Review studies the characteristic qualities of unique, timeless and memorable design- we began to think about the essence of these three qualities and how they are realized. We also determined that it would be a helpful exercise for everyone in the industry to consider how these elements work within business strategy for hospitality industry success - and whether they are always inherently appropriate. We hope to provoke thought in advancing an always thorough consideration of as the industry progresses in this era of vibrant hospitality growth worldwide. READ MORE