Generation Z currently comprises more than a quarter of the U.S. population and delivers a hefty contribution to the economy. They may not be booking hotel rooms yet, but they already have a significant impact on their parents' choices of accommodation. Over the next decade, we can expect Gen Z guests to challenge many aspects of the hospitality industry, from the way hotel brands market themselves to the type of in-room entertainment they offer. Court Williams, CEO of HVS Executive Search, looks at what Generation Z wants from a hotel stay experience, and what leading hotel brands need to factor into their plans to remain competitive and relevant to this audience. READ MORE

There is a widely recognized theory that change is the only constant in life. In its simplest form, this philosophy impacts every facet of our reality from relationships to career progression to new technology. While it's an easy enough concept to grasp, a much smaller population actually feels comfortable adapting and using change as a tool to propel them forward. In this article I will share with you a process I've developed to help navigate change and use it to impact your mental state and those around you for the better. READ MORE

With consumers increasingly eager to amass interesting, diverse and unusual experiences when they travel, hotels are equally eager to be of assistance. They rightly view it as another way of providing value and, by extension, helping ensure repeat business. Upscale and luxury hotels have teams of concierges on staff to assist guests in this regard, while limited and select-service hotels have no such resource at hand. Consequently, they end up leaning on ever-resourceful guest services managers and even front desk agents to get the job done, matching guests with the right recommendations and then providing reservations as needed and directions. READ MORE

While hotels ultimately strive to be an inviting place where people can relax and recharge while traveling, many hotels & resorts have embarked on a new mission: becoming ambassadors to help to educate visitors about their unique location and the interesting people who live there. Every destination has a story to tell. And we're all in the business of creating and sharing "experiences" these days. Establishing partnerships with key local community organizations can nurture unique guests moments, build buzz through traditional media outlets, provide exciting new content for social media and ultimately result in brand loyalty. READ MORE

Every year, hoteliers and hotel groups evaluate where their bookings come from, and more importantly, which channels are most profitable. This is no easy task, and there are pros and cons associated with many of the hotels options. In this article, we will take a look at the battlefield of OTA vs. direct bookings. Does it make sense for the hoteliers, and if so, when would it make sense, and what are some of the things that hoteliers can do to optimize the value they would see from the OTAs. READ MORE

To attract modern holidaymakers, hotel operators must offer not only a top-notch complex, amenities and services, but a unique and sustainable experience that cares for the local culture, environment and people. David Quintana, vice president of strategy and development at Grupo Xcaret, explores these new challenges facing the hospitality and tourism industry. As the Mexican company's lead architect, he faced this very question when designing and building the first hotel in one of the company's popular ecotourism parks in the Mexican Caribbean. The hotel had to be both eco-friendly and luxurious if it was to be successful, and that's no easy feat for any architect. READ MORE

The hotel industry is taking great steps to improve the sustainability of their businesses, but onsite dining might be inadvertently overlooked. Restaurants are complex businesses and improving the environmental performance of foodservice can be challenging, oftentimes because of this complexity. Should you start with sustainable food sourcing or plant-based burgers? What about replacing old equipment with their Energy Star qualified equivalents? What about cage-free eggs, or LED lighting, or demand-controlled ventilation? You can quickly get bogged down in decision paralysis. Learn about four ideas to get started on your restaurant sustainability journey from the National Restaurant Association's Jeffrey Clark. READ MORE

Six Senses Zil Pasyon is nestled in the lush vegetation of Felicite. Staying true to its core value of sustainability the resort is committed to have responsible operations and with a Sustainability team on site, it strives to preserve the surrounding natural habitat and nature. This includes marine projects as well as island rehabilitation, while efforts are made in collaboration with the local community and NGOs. Raising awareness among hosts and the local communities has also played a key role in the success of these projects which are all driven by the goal of eventually reaching zero waste. READ MORE

Heating and cooling represent almost 40 percent of the electricity and more than half of the natural gas used by hotels and motels. Utility fees are a variable expense that have a direct impact on property profitability. This makes minimizing utility costs a goal for most hotel operators. An equally important goal for operators is providing a comfortable environment for guests. Optimizing guestroom energy efficiency while creating a comfortable environment can reduce energy expenses and increase property revenue. This article examines effective strategies, practices and systems that hotel operators can use to lower utility costs and deliver a more comfortable guest experience. READ MORE

It is challenging task to manage rate parity. A lot of effort is required to track cracks in rate parity, especially for enterprise hotel. Current market subtleties require that hoteliers move much beyond detecting breaches and focus on implementing manners to not only report breaches, but take measures to put a stop to rate disparities and also avert them in the future. In this article learn how to avoid revenue damages caused by breach of rate parity. Know what kind of rate parity tools are modern and learned hotel revenue managers investing in to stay up in the game. READ MORE

Hospitality professionals have come to recognize the tremendous value of quickly identifying performance trends in order to maximize efficiency, resources, profitability and guest satisfaction. Yet despite its many advantages, data management has long been associated with the time-consuming and error-prone use of manual spreadsheets. However, advances in technology are now providing hoteliers with the ability to seamlessly integrate data from an array of disparate systems, with real time and accurate information always instantly available. This article discusses how new cloud-based platforms are providing hoteliers with the ability to anticipate their business environment while providing the means to implement sound business strategies. READ MORE

Modern travelers are looking for more than just a hotel room and a place to lay their head. Accommodation is becoming a larger factor in the overall travel experience and guests are looking for elements that offer outstanding experiences worth sharing with their networks. As the expectations of travelers and the offerings accompanying modern accommodation is changing rapidly, establishments must start looking to the future and preparing for rising guest assumptions and requirements. Brands are using technology and intuitive design to streamline operations, conserve costs and impress guests, earning themselves top reviews for overall experience. READ MORE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a part of everyday life and is still growing at an astonishingly rapid rate. Consumers live in smart homes and work in smart offices, so it should come as no surprise that this revolutionary technology has made its way into the hospitality realm. Hotel marketers are rapidly identifying ways to put AI into widespread use. In this article, you will learn how AI impacts hotel marketing and what hoteliers can do to transform how they operate, maximize processes and interact with guests for increased satisfaction and loyalty. READ MORE

The JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa brings luxury to the Texas Hill Country by offering guests outdoor adventure, golfing paradise, spa rejuvenation and a true escape. Conveniently located a short drive from San Antonio International Airport and downtown, the resort boasts 1,002 recently refreshed guest rooms, two 18-hole PGA TOUR TPC golf courses, a 9-acre water park, over 280,000 square feet of meeting and event space, five on-site restaurants and a full-service spa and wellness center. Whether guests are visiting to connect, meet, stay, play or refresh, the JW Marriott San Antonio has on-site amenities to meet every need. READ MORE

As a hotel owner and operator, you must consistently stay on top of new trends and regulations for your properties-and how those factors can impact every part of your business. One area of new territory many U.S. hotel executives are dealing with is handling organics. Dealing with organics in an effective way is quickly becoming not only a requirement across most of the country, but a new fresh idea that can produce economic and environmental savings across all your hotel operations. READ MORE