They're in their 20s, traveling for business and they're not choosing a hotel based on loyalty points. The hotel industry is banking on this new group of travelers to boost its economic growth well into the future. Hotels are repackaging the brand experience to appeal to this new customer and they're spending tremendous resources to get it right. This new demographic is not a uniform, homogenous group and they don't necessarily have loyalty to any brand. People years ago wanted to stay at a Marriott so they could build up their points, but that doesn't drive this generation. They don't fit into a box or stereotype. This is the young twenty-something coming into the business world and it's becoming increasingly important to tailor brands to appeal to this new segment. READ MORE

The first three words in real estate are location, location, location. A hotel property inevitably prospers based on its location to nearby elements and attractions. A major city center, national park, shopping outlet, theme park, or convention center can be counted upon to fill a lot of room nights and buoy occupancy. In a vacuum, you need nothing more than a great location. Of course, the real world is different. There is competition galore, especially in the best locations. How do you ensure that you have captured your fair share of the market? It's all about your amenity mix. READ MORE

Brand standards are adjusting as hotel executives recognize that staying true to the brand does not require a strict, cookie cutter approach. Architects have long championed the value of a site-specific design approach, believing that a hotel should take its cues from elements of the surrounding architecture to create a modern yet sensitive response, and that the design for a hotel should also acknowledge the local climate, flora, fauna, and terrain. No one is suggesting that brand standards be chucked out the window -- just that there are a variety of ways to appropriately deliver the experience a guest expects from a brand and from a destination. READ MORE

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines the word "design" to mean many things, one of which says…"to plan and make (something) for a specific use or purpose." In there lies the first task of a good hotel designer….Understand the use, purpose, desire, and interest of your guest(s). The hotel designer has to envision how something will look, how it will function and what experiences a guest will have from the moment they pull up or walk in to the property, through every inch they wander. READ MORE

The benefits of sustainable practices within the hotel industry are clear and more and more hotel companies and individual properties are establishing guidelines to help them become more eco-friendly. But designing programs that outline efficiencies and best practices is only the beginning. Turning theory into practice requires a committed, motivated partnership between hotel staff, guests, vendors and the local community. L'Auberge Del Mar, by Destination Hotels & Resorts has had great success implementing an effective sustainability campaign by getting the four partnership entities vested as outlined in this article by Vice President and Managing Director, Michael J. Slosser. READ MORE

The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji is one of the South Pacific's most renowned vacation destinations, distinguished for offering mindful and discerning travelers a five-star way of connecting with the ocean, land and local culture. Named for the son of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau, the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is dedicated to preserving nature's balance by respecting and existing harmoniously with the natural environment and through involving guests in its preservation initiatives. "What is a scientist after all? It is a curious man looking through a keyhole, the keyhole of nature, trying to know what's going on" - Jacques Cousteau READ MORE

The benefits for hoteliers of moving business applications to the cloud are numerous. Initial costs are lower because there is no need to purchase additional hardware or expand IT headcount. Systems can be deployed faster, changes can be easily made as business needs expand over time, and the long-term return on investment is higher because the technology vendor will handle potentially costly system upgrades and enhancements. Disaster recovery of data is also easier, as information is backed up in the cloud rather than on physical servers. Additionally, selecting a solution that delivers the same robust, hospitality-specific functionality as an on premise system supports globalization. READ MORE

Just as mobile booking technology captured the attention of travelers and demanded the time and resources of hotel brands and OTAs in 2012 and 2013, mobile check-in and keyless keys are now grabbing the headlines, challenging hotels to keep up with airlines for technology-enhanced service features. It may be years before a final verdict is reached on the best way to deliver mobile services to hotel guests, but it's clear from the number of companies and smart people working on it, that the hotel check-in experience is evolving. Here, CheckMate's Anthony Maggio, offers an overview of the future of keyless keys READ MORE

Kalahari Resorts and Conventions is committed to delivering a beyond expectations guest experience, and in addition to offering outstanding service, has introduced state-of-the-art green operations that protect the environment and reduce the resorts' carbon footprint. One of three recipients of the 2006 Partners for Clean Air Recognition Award, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions leads the hotel industry in cutting edge-initiatives for water conservation, recycling, lighting and climate control. These initiatives include, but are not limited to, high-efficiency water consumption pumps within the indoor and outdoor waterparks for extended life cycle, more than 4,160 square feet of rooftop solar panels, partnering with the renown Clean The World organization and much more. READ MORE

Selecting the right furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) can lead to increased staff efficiency at hotels. Kyle Rogg, President and COO of Value Place, discusses his strategy for driving an increased bottom line through better quality FF&E decision making. READ MORE

The hotel industry, like all industries, is being scrutinized for its sustainable business practices. As hotels take an active role in committing to sustainability, use of sustainable laundries for their towels and linens increasingly helps reduce carbon footprints as well as cost. Leading laundry services use certified green methods that create energy and water savings, reduce waste, improve quality and - through innovative microchip technology - reduce linen loss. Plus, sustainable laundries give hotels an additional way to market to consumers who list green practices as a leading determinant in hotel choice. READ MORE

In the hospitality business, selecting a competitive set to benchmark performance is a common task. Unfortunately, selecting the wrong set can have long-term consequences that may ultimately impact asset value. Operators and owners need a practical approach to determining an appropriate competitive set by using information and techniques that are readily available to them. This article outlines the key factors that should be considered when selecting a competitive set and provides helpful tips along the way. READ MORE

Federal, State, and Local government agencies offer a number of incentives to businesses. Some incentives are put forward to guarantee that developmental benefits will be sustained, other incentives support decreased energy usage in buildings to encourage investment in underdeveloped areas and to reward environmentally friendly building practices. These incentives can not only encourage you to increase your overall efficiency, but can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. It's imperative that owners, designers, and project managers don't overlook these incentives, as they can add up quickly. READ MORE

Like other industrial sectors, the hospitality industry can catapult its sustainability efforts forward through expansion of its initiatives to its own global supply chains through Sustainable Supply Chain Management. The unique characteristics of the hospitality industry require its supply chain practices to be modified from those of manufacturing or retailing. This article addresses these unique characteristics and also outlines how redesigning buildings, processes and products will be necessary for any seismic shift in sustainable supply chain practices. READ MORE

Revenue managers squeeze every last dollar of revenue opportunity from each product - frequently managing dozens of rates over hundreds of days in detail. Automated revenue management systems have taken some of the burden from revenue managers, by producing analytically-derived rate recommendations and automatically updating selling systems. However, revenue managers still need to review recommendations and manually intervene when necessary. This detailed analysis is not only time-consuming, but it keeps revenue managers in the weeds, taking time away from strategic thinking. For hotels to survive and thrive, there must be a balance between driving short-term revenue and building sustainable long term profits. READ MORE