The hotel industry is continuing its recovery with strong growth in both global hotel revenue and bookings, according to data we're reporting in Pegasus Solution's monthly report, The Pegasus View. Driven by demand and assisted by rate growth, leisure hotel revenue jumped nearly +15% early this year over the same period in 2010. With growth in business and leisure bookings expected through mid-year, it's more important than ever for hotels to maintain control of their websites in terms of the look (design and branding), the feel (booking process) and availability (mobile and metasearch). READ MORE

"Discount" is the dirty word of the hospitality industry. For the last ten years, spas and hotels have held discounting as the absolute last straw in any marketing campaign. Unfortunately, the recession of the last few years has forced spas and hotels to exhaust any and all options to get consumers in the door. Loathsome though we were to do it, the economic situation became severe enough to bring us all to our last resort efforts, discounts included. The spa industry in particular, has had a love-hate relationship with discounting over the past decade. In other words, the consumers have grown to love discounts, and the industry professionals have grown to hate them. So where does this hatred of discounting come from? And can the spa industry continue to keep discounting at arm's length when consumers are already cutting their spa spend due to the economic pressures of the day? Can spas afford not to discount, when competing against deeply discounted deal aggregators such as Groupon, Living Social or Rue La La? READ MORE

While the experienced spa user may appreciate the fusion of specialized services and products to choose from on a spa menu, this population makes up only a very small portion of all potential spa consumers. This article considers the untapped portion of the market, the first or second time consumers, that may hesitate to book a treatment when the spa menu is too complex to understand. The name, "Trust in Local" implies that the local product or service is familiar to the local market and therefore more likely to be trusted by both the local consumer and the foreign tourist. By creating spa concepts that incorporate ingredients that are unique to the local region within treatments, a visit to the spa could become a point of interest for travelers seeking authentic experiences while on vacation. READ MORE

Few industries can boast the worldliness of the hospitality industry. As hotels and lodges seek out tourist hubs and travel spots worldwide, the industry has largely trended toward international expansion. Today Americans can travel to any corner of the globe and find a hotel brand that they know and trust. Just as the industry's patrons are traveling now more than ever, employees, too, are increasingly being transferred from one overseas location to another. When certain requirements are met, employees from the international office of one company can be transferred to a domestic office with relative ease courtesy of the L-1 intra-company transfer visa. READ MORE

A guest with a dog under leash asks hotel reception for a room. Since the guest does not appear to be disabled and the dog has no service animal marking, reception advises, "pets are not allowed." When the guest informs the dog is a disability service animal, reception politely inquires as to the guest's disability and the animal's certification. Is this a problem? Yes, it is. This scenario illustrates the importance of developing policies and staff training on the recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act to promote compliance under the ADA and foster exceptional guest relations. READ MORE

Today's social media frenzy provides us with several avenues to reach out and touch someone. Well, in the sense of promoting our businesses, creating fan bases and engaging in dialogue with potential guest, but don't be fooled, that's not enough to truly build a business foundation of loyalty and sustainability. What is a business to do? How can we begin to design high touch marketing programs that truly build a more satisfied and a more loyal guest? READ MORE

If you think Facebook is just a passing fad and wish to insure that you do NOT maximize Facebook, then this checklist is for you. Who needs more so called "friends" anyway? In this tongue-in-cheek article you will learn about the hidden perils of customer engagement, how to NOT be "Liked" and NOT keep up with the new features in Facebook and other Social Media channels. You will discover the ultimate secret - put up an insignificant Facebook page and then abandon it or pay no attention to it. The choice is yours! NOT maximizing Facebook is easier than you think. READ MORE

In this tough economic environment, we are seeing people "cutting corners" and pinching pennies everywhere we go - whether it's the consumer looking for the best deal, the hotel operator doing everything in its power to maximize the value of every dollar in the annual budget, or the licensor taking steps to decrease its risk by capping its liability to a specific dollar amount. While it's admirable to get the most bang for your buck and reduce your risk of liability, can a licensor really get away with capping its trademark liability, when it has all the control over trademark issues? This article explains the basics of the licensor/licensee relationship and the types of indemnification provisions typically found in license agreements. READ MORE

What Gathered Proven Statistics (GPS) do you use to strategize the spa's financial success? Like our reliance on our GPS devices for travel direction, proven spa statistics can be used to direct the spa's business strategy. Hoteliers know the importance of using reliable statistics to compare performance against industry averages and the property's competitive set. Like the hotel industry's research, the Spa's "GPS" can guide identification for areas of improvement, relevancy to the market and profitability strategies. What are important metrics and how can they be employed to strategize the spa's successful business plan? Let's explore this question. READ MORE

An industry where success and growth are contingent upon the continual advancement in design, practice and service, the spa industry is an ever-changing landscape. With the enhancement of health, beauty and medical esthetics, competition among spas continues to grow. Yet, the secrets of the most successful spas rely not on their menu of services, aesthetic appeal or distinctive location. In today's fierce market, spa leaders understand that with the changing times comes a greater need for well-trained and talented staff. James Bermingham of Montage Hotels & Resorts presents the six best practices of a spas most valuable asset: its therapists. READ MORE

Hotel spa profitability may seem like an oxymoron in some circles. But a 34-room boutique resort with a 14,000-square-foot spa has made a name for itself - and profits for the owning entity - in the sleepy Finger Lakes hamlet of Skaneateles, New York. The vision behind the project and the key to success - spa memberships - are detailed in this informative piece which is a must-read for anyone operating a hotel spa. A look at the pros and cons of membership, yield management and marketing techniques, and a lot more, are shared in this compelling article. READ MORE

Progressive hoteliers spend significant time analyzing their properties and identify areas where revenue potential can be expanded through packaging a range of services. While areas such as food and beverage, spa facilities, conference facilities and even additional leisure options such as golf courses, make up a hotelier's overall 'Asset', often overlooked is the role hotel technology can play in helping to package and promote offerings that expand beyond room rates. READ MORE

Hotel guests want bottom line pricing and value for their money. Successful promotion must include participation from all hotel employees. Involve all outlets and initiate "Meet and Greet" experiences. Interact with guests to promote your spa. Invite them to enjoy a new level of spa. Success depends on keeping it fresh, new and alive. Find out what Capture Rate truly means and how we attain it. It's time to act and feel like a guest would feel. Get ready to share the new buzz through-out your hotel. READ MORE

Successful spa design blends both luxury and functionality to increase revenues and enhance the guest experience. This article discusses how good design delivers more amenities for spa-goers while maximizing revenue for owners through increased customer flow, staff efficiency, space versatility and operational functionality. The article provides examples from some of RTKL's most recognized spa projects including Eau Spa at the Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach and the Celebrity Cruises' AquaSpaR, winners of the 2010 SpaFinders Readers' Choice Awards. READ MORE

It takes time and focus to make your hotel truly stand out in the social media realm - however, there are several strategies you can implement immediately to help boost your hotel's social media presence. In this article we will share several proven Facebook tips and Twitter strategies that can propel your property ahead of the competition. We will also review the successful social media program our team developed for Sofitel Luxury Hotels - which effectively built hotel brand awareness, increased their hotel Facebook fans and took their Twitter followers from only 1,000 to over 28,000 high quality followers. READ MORE