For some guests, the presence of a valet at the front door of a hotel is as expected as a bed in a guest room. And for hoteliers, implementing such a program may not seem to require much investment or planning. What they must keep in mind, however, is that valet programs don't come without risks, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. READ MORE

Travel is an unstoppable force, but especially in the early days of COVID-19, the industry was pacing at its slowest speeds in history. Despite the bleak numbers, throughout 2020, Hilton has remained hyper-focused on the company's purpose and over-delivering on customer needs. Frank Passanante, senior vice president, Hilton Worldwide Sales – Americas, takes readers through this unique period, reiterating the importance of leadership through listening and innovation. READ MORE

No facet of the hospitality and travel industry has been hit harder than the meetings and events sector by COVID-19 restrictions and safeguards worldwide. Limitations on group sizes and widespread cancelations of conferences have effectively put venue businesses into an unforeseen hibernation. In this article, Kate Keisling will explore how M&E providers are faced with the reality that their business will bounce back at a slower rate. READ MORE

Will hotels of the future be operated by a robotic workforce? New doesn't automatically mean futuristic and hi-tech doesn't necessarily translate to visionary. People have an innate need for human touch and community especially in times of crisis when physical connection is off-limits. A completely contactless hospitality experience isn't a long-term solution, but how do we find the proverbial 'sweet spot' between high-tech and human touch? READ MORE

Should employers do drug tests, and what are the implications of a positive test? Is it preferable to implement a single, blanket policy, or vary the policy depending on employees' roles within the organization? Are employers required to accommodate an employee's use of medical marijuana? Attorneys at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck discuss the employment implications of cannabis/marijuana for leaders in the hospitality industry. READ MORE

Even in the United States, human trafficking is a widespread problem that often goes unnoticed. Due to its illicit nature, many businesses fail to realize sex trafficking and labor trafficking, the two most common forms of the crime, may actually be happening right under their noses. For hoteliers, this poses a unique risk that requires vigilance, a keen eye and training to recognize. READ MORE

In a world struggling with how to balance COVID-19 threats with the havoc it is wreaking on the overall economy, health and safety are the first imperatives. But right behind is an urgent need to communicate why business events can and should be utilized as key tools for supporting broad-based economic recovery and renewal. READ MORE

Virtual meetings and events have been a trend in recent years. Yet, this niche area has grown in an exponential manner in 2020 by necessity. Industry-wide, the trend is not expected to be short-lived. From the perspective of meeting and event planners, moving events online now while planning for more long-term shifts in the marketplace has proven to be a difficult endeavor. READ MORE

When Greg Norman established his golf design firm in 1987, he did it with a mandate to preserve landscapes, respect Mother Nature and create enjoyable golf courses. The Greg Norman Signature golf course at Rancho San Lucas opened in February 2020, and is a multi-themed design that explores coastal and desert environments and offers a thrilling challenge from each set of tees. READ MORE

Outstanding communications has always been an essential hallmark of a successful hospitality organization - from property level and the host community to the C-Suite. The global pandemic, with its many disruptions, has further challenged us to maintain positive connections within the organization and to our many audiences. Done properly, when we sustain connections at such a stressful time, knowledge takes the place of uncertainty and realistic hope displaces fear. READ MORE

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck this spring, Bermuda officials knew shutting down the tiny British Overseas Territory's borders was necessary to protect the well-being of island residents. But they also knew the impact on local businesses - both big and small - could be devastating. In response, the Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) launched a series of initiatives to support Bermudians in the here and now, as well as inspire future travelers. READ MORE

The spa and wellness industry has changed forever. In the most dramatic way possible, recent events have proven that our Western medical system cannot save us. The businesses that will thrive in the wake of this tragedy are those that perform science-based therapies with proven efficacy. In this article we examine time-tested traditional spa therapies and how they can be adapted to modern applications. READ MORE

The pandemic has hit the hospitality industry especially hard, forcing companies to look for ways to drive costs and inefficiencies out of their operations to help them survive the economic downturn and get their people back to work. One solution that's been gaining traction is the digitization of payments. These virtual solutions leverage third-party technology to automate back-end processes; protect against disputes and fraud; and provide more privacy, security and flexibility to consumers. READ MORE

While it may be challenging to stay in business amid a global pandemic, there are several strategies you as a restaurant operator can follow to not only increase your chances of survival but also come out stronger on the other side. Kevin Krapp from The Indigo Road Hospitality Group presents seven ways to help keep your restaurant afloat at this time. READ MORE

The mammoth task of keeping guests safe during a pandemic requires operational changes which must be communicated to employees to ensure success. Guests must feel certain that staff who greet and serve them demonstrate comprehensive safety practices, and that your spaces are pleasing and safe. Successful leaders can leverage technology training tools to build new levels of efficiency and compliance that result in high levels of guest satisfaction and confident staff. READ MORE