Words and photographs can only do so much to showcase what a hotel has to offer, but it is no longer the only tool out there. The advancement of technology has brought the virtual tour, but it is not the virtual tour you may have seen five to ten years ago. You now have the ability to create a virtual open house that potential guests can visit from anywhere at any time on any device. Discover the hottest form of social marketing: virtual tour photography. READ MORE

Hotels should take notice of the emergence of "Bleisure" travelers-executives looking to mix both business and leisure during their travel experience. This growing demographic is demonstrating distinct buying behaviors that should cause hotels to update their marketing strategies. Many Bleisure travelers are shifting their focus to services similar to Airbnb® that provide access to accommodations that feel more like a "home away from home." Their buying behaviors alone signal that major changes coming to the hotel industry. Now's the time to invest in this growing demographic-but first hotels must understand their behaviors and travel habits, who they are and how they think and, most importantly, what it is they need. READ MORE

What's the first thing we do when meeting someone new? We ask them questions in an effort to hear their story: Where are you from? What kind of work do you do? Do you have kids? What we're trying to do, more than just to pass the time - is we're looking for a way to connect to that person. Stories make life interesting, but they are also useful because they give people a way to relate. Humans love storytelling, which creates a big opportunity for hotel brands and their properties. And now that social media is maturing from just a friendly addition to your marketing plan to a necessary component of your overall strategy, its role is more vital than ever. READ MORE

As we head into the last six weeks of winter (yes, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow), now is the time to connect with your landscaping contractor about preparations for spring. While spring brings warm weather, blossoming flowers, and (at last!) greenery, there's a lot of work to be done before the season changes. By working with your contractor now and creating a plan, you can guarantee that your hotel will be spring ready. READ MORE

With markets continually becoming more segmented, the need to differentiate your hotel from your competition in order to appeal to your travelers is increasing. This can be achieved by staying connected to every level of your team by means of constant feedback and financial reports. This intel coupled with an understanding of current trends is critical to keep in stride with your market's needs. READ MORE