With the U.S. adoption of EMV secure-chip payments processing standards on the horizon, hotel owners/operators must begin planning for significant upgrades to their organization's payment acceptance systems. Future-proofing investments in payment software or hardware to include the ability to process technologies such as EMV will keep hoteliers on the cutting edge of payments and security. Acknowledging these major changes to the payments processing landscape by adopting this technology early will save time, headaches and the possibility for major penalties down the road. READ MORE

Technology is intertwined into every fiber of life. In the last decade alone, we have seen incredible advances within the digital world. From reinventing consumer engagement to changing the way we communicate, these advancements have gifted the world with an increase in efficiency, convenience and thrill. More recently, technology has left its mark on the hotel industry, creating a race to the top for hotels all over the globe. Four Seasons Los Angeles' ongoing dedication to excellence has led to the creation and implementation of several innovative and groundbreaking technologies, allowing this hotel to maintain its position as a leader in hotel technology. READ MORE

Mobile is an important travel planning and hotel distribution channel; a channel that hoteliers must embrace to be successful in 2013. One of the most notable developments this year is that the terms “mobile marketing” and “mobile technology” really evolved to include not just mobile phones. Tablet devices such as the iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Google Nexus quickly became a significant part of the travel planning and booking process. To make matters even more complicated, while mobile phone and tablet devices are considered “mobile” devices, they should be treated as separate distribution channels with their own respective marketing initiatives. READ MORE

I'm frequently asked to weigh in on choosing the optimal technology solution for various situations. It's not just about the platform or tools; the request is often to find the best overall solution, or combination of solutions, to support a specific business goal or meet a specific client need. How can you and your team determine your options and have confidence that a good decision was made? Six basic keys can help you evaluate and select the best technology solution to meet the specific needs of your company. READ MORE

Sit in any conference or meeting today and it is easy to see that tablets, smart phones and ultra portables have invaded the workplace. Enterprises are unable to keep up with the light-speed march of new devices, new operating systems and form factors; leaving the door open for consumers to drive the need for using personally owned equipment with corporate information systems. Striking a balance between security and usability falls on the Information Technology infrastructure of your organization. READ MORE

It's no surprise that in a hospitality setting, the use of technology in the coming years will be more cutting edge, especially in mega resorts and boutique hotels aiming to cater to both discerning and hip guests. As we say goodbye to 2012 and usher in a new year, exciting changes are taking place within hotels, many which are already becoming apparent. So how will the incorporation of new and changing technology impact structural, operational, or interior design of hotels? READ MORE

As consumers are now spending more time on their mobile phones than ever before, travelers are expressing a growing preference to engage in business transactions from their own mobile devices. This has given rise to a whole new world of marketing opportunities, consisting of terms such as smartphone, mobile tagging, mobile sites, geo-location, and social media marketing. Today, approximately one half of local searches are performed on mobile devices, and it is estimated that by 2014, mobile Internet access will overtake desktop Internet usage. READ MORE

Today's increasingly mobile-friendly consumers are expressing a need for hospitality that centers on connection, convenience and comfort, and as such they are demanding more self-service options that incorporate mobile technologies into their hotel stays. It is often faster and easier to engage in automated self-service than to wait in a long queue to interact with hotel staff at the front desk. Hospitality technology is evolving quickly to meet these changing guest needs and expectations through mobile and online technologies. READ MORE

Mobility is only going to continue to grow and the number of devices guests bring into our hotels is only going to grow as well. These devices will continue to depend on reliable and ubiquitous connectivity. Guest will expect that their devices will be able to connect inside your hotel without much hassle or user intervention. Guest have already started making decision on where they stay based on the connectivity they will have don't let this be the reason guests will not stay at your hotel. READ MORE

The recent rise in the BYOD trend, presents both an opportunity and a threat to today's hotel industry. By incorporating technology, hotels can provide extended customer service to guests before, during and after their stay with the simple use of an app. Service delivery is vital for all hotels and, when implemented and maintained correctly, mobile apps can certainly complement this. However, it can be daunting for hoteliers to stray from the traditional way of operating. But, if they don't, their competitors sure will... READ MORE

Benchmarking involves measuring your current practices and comparing them against your competition in order to identify, understand, and adapt the practices that are effectively being used by your competitors. Benchmarking represents a powerful mechanism for encouraging building owners to improve hotel water performance. READ MORE

As hotel spas have grown from the “nail salons” of the eighties to the “Medi-Spa” of today, they face new risks and exposures. Today's hotel must examine a wide variety of potential spa risks—from tanning beds and the smallest slip and fall to catastrophic medical malpractice or Legionella bacteria claims. It's essential to understand your risks, ensure you have adequate insurance coverage for each one and then implement a risk management program that will establish best practices to reduce the frequency and severity of losses. A safe environment will ensure your spa's relaxing luxurious experience will keep guests coming back for more. READ MORE

It's been said enough that “mobile” is a ripe landscape for travel marketers. Statistics abound detailing who, what, why, where, when, and how consumers are leveraging devices to plan, buy, experience, and share their travels. I don't think we need to revisit those statistics now, but what we do need to explore is how these new interfaces and resulting behaviors are opening up a new channel for digital marketing. This channel is a twist on traditional digital marketing (if such a statement can be made), which leverages the constructs of mobile websites and device-native applications for the delivery of targeted display advertising. READ MORE

Text messaging is now a mass-market phenomenon in the U.S. market. According to the CTIA wireless industry trade association, there are annually 2.3 trillion text messages sent. When you do the math, the average user sends or receives 20 messages per day, including those users that don't text at all. The average adult user of text is close to 42 text messages per day. Younger guests, in the 18 to 29 age demographic, text at a rate of over 87 per day. Many in the upcoming generation prefer to text over talk. READ MORE

Gaining a sustained competitive advantage in the hospitality marketplace almost always revolves around a strong customer relationship management (CRM) program. Obtaining customer loyalty, once based on having the right product at the right price, has evolved into creating strategies geared toward customer engagement through participation incentives. Social networking, digital media, mobile commerce, and Geo-fencing applications have contributed to guest empowerment and/or entitlement. To attract and interest guests, hotels and restaurants are turning to gamification as a primary means for establishing long-term brand affiliation. READ MORE