Digital beacons in hospitality continue to guide travelers through an ever-increasing maze of travel challenges. These technologies are ever more deployed in hotels to assist though various stages of the guest-life cycle. Hoteliers are facing challenges as well as opportunities. It is imperative to offer an attractive value-proposition for the guests so that they are encouraged and motivated to engage with such technology-based services. Hoteliers are tasked with utilizing science along with the art of hospitality and determining the best way to engage guests in an era defined by social, mobile, cloud and analytics. No different than the bright lights that guided ships across the ocean in the night, or the radio waves that assisted planes in the sky, digital beacons will guide hotel guests throughout their stay and engage them in a way they will want to return again. READ MORE

While defining a “hostile work environment” is generally commonplace for HR professionals, one new, emerging trend in the workplace is the filing by employees or their attorneys of assault and battery charges. The law regarding assault and battery in the civil context has existed for decades, but in recent years, lawyers representing employees have started to make use of these claims with increasing frequency. This article lists five primary reasons for this shift, along with enumerating six steps an employer should follow to protect his company against an assault and battery claim. READ MORE

Consider these facts: According to Criteo's Travel Flash Report, the first half of 2014 saw: Mobile bookings on travel websites are growing faster than desktop, at 20 percent versus 2 percent Smartphones and tablets account for 21 percent of hotel bookings In-app bookings account for 12 percent of total mobile bookings made on travel websites Also worth considering is that there are now more than 6.5 billion smart phone in the world today and most people are traveling with up to 3 devices. READ MORE

A major cause of poorly perceived service is the difference between what a firm promises about a service, and what it actually delivers. To avoid broken promises companies must manage all communications to customers, so that inflated promises do not lead to overly high expectations. With hospitality examples from all over the world, this article discusses four strategies that are effective in managing service promises: creating effective services advertising; coordinating external communication; making realistic promises; and offering service guarantees. READ MORE

Do you ever wonder “how can we find ways that we can train and educate our employees using a continuous approach, which can also be different each time, and challenge our employees to think critically, as well as develop them into caring and solution orientated employees, especially when it comes to resolving issues with guests?” This article will explore the power of how simple, documented case studies, can be used in order to engage employees in such a manner that they will be able to be on their feet, caring, attentive and driven to resolve guest issues. READ MORE