While sustainability and luxury were once considered contradictory terms, particularly in hospitality where heating and cooling comprise a large portion of a building's energy use, trends in customer priorities and technological advances have made it possible to offer guests luxurious stays while also minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing guest health and wellness. Indeed, as the push towards sustainability progresses, focus is shifting from merely reducing the energy impacts of a building to eliminating them altogether. As shown in Piazza Hospitality's Hotel Sebastopol project, net zero energy buildings, where all energy needed for operations is produced on-site, are now an attainable goal READ MORE

At Hersha, our commitment to providing the best service in the world is reflected in our 49 uniquely positioned branded and independent lifestyle hotels across the United States. Through the development of strategic programs, we create value for all of our stakeholders. One of our most valued strategic programs is Hersha's EarthView® - an industry-leading sustainability program that proves environmental and community stewardship are integral to building a successful business. Our approach to sustainability is based on the framework of a "triple bottom line" measurement process, evaluating how our hotels' sustainability and philanthropic efforts directly impact our communities, our environment and our finances. READ MORE

There is a monumental lifestyle shift-- what I call an ECO Renaissance-- that has been picking up speed for years. This behavior change extends to all aspects of life and began with a simple quest for individual wellness. With an inexhaustible amount of information at their fingertips, yesterday's easy-to-please customers have evolved into savvy, globally aware influencers, unwilling to compromise. They expect immaculately curated, conscious product offerings whether they are shopping, traveling, dining out, or exercising. This seismic shift in expectations offers hoteliers and hotel groups a myriad of opportunities to join the movement. READ MORE

With millennials representing an increasingly large share of economic activity, amenities are critical in several building sectors, hospitality not least among them. Millennials are looking for robust offerings of amenities, both shared spaces and in-room, that are environmentally friendly and geared toward health and wellness. This article discusses essential integrated approaches to creating and sustaining hotel venues that incorporate amenities programs that guests of all demographics will enjoy, and the staff and guest-facing communications methods essential to achieving sustainable design goals and inspiring brand loyalty. READ MORE

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaking up the hospitality business, and it is no longer just for big chains. It can help any size company serve customers better, increase operational efficiency, and cut costs. Learn about some of the leading edge ways AI is being used by hotels like the Hilton, the Wynn and the Four Seasons, as well as less expensive AI-based tools that can help even independents be better run and more profitable. READ MORE

The power of Influencers! Today's public relations for hotels move beyond traditional travel writers and third party media experts to a newly established sector of citizen journalism — the influencer. New strategies in the digital sector are being used to promote properties and increase bookings. The use of Instagram as a search engine has been ground-breaking in terms of hotel marketing and has opened up opportunities for non-traditional campaigns. Influencers have established trust among their cohorts, granting them the power to effectively market hotels and impact the travel and tourism industry in a significant way. The shift in the industry has encouraged hotels and PR firms to continuously move toward a more innovative, integrated space. READ MORE

There are many advantages to not only hiring freelancers but to develop long-term relationships with a team of freelancers. Many people have made freelancing a career choice and therefore have committed to ongoing training and developing their expertise in a specific niche. By working with freelancers, you're not only able to augment your staff but you will benefit from specialize knowledge and the diverse experience of the freelancer. Also, having a relationship with a team of freelancers enables your team to deliver projects on time, save money, and not over burden existing team members. Today, not only are freelancers benefiting from the freedom and flexibility that their choices offer, but so are the hotels they work with. READ MORE

Lighting has always been an integral part of hospitality design and has never been more important—or more challenging—than it is today. Advances in technology allow for much more flexibility, just as hotels try to accommodate the changing demands of their guests. But with careful planning, these challenges can instead become opportunities to create unique and memorable guest experiences. While all parts of your hotel should feel cohesive, not all areas should have the same exact lighting. The lobby, restaurant, meeting and banquet rooms, corridors, hotel rooms and exterior spaces all have different purposes and different lighting needs. READ MORE

In this article we will discuss current trends and innovations in the application of wellness technology to hotel guestrooms. Drawing from examples of the Stay Well Program developed by Delos and wellness initiatives from several hotel companies, we will examine various features, devices and equipment in a guestroom that promote health and well-being. Lighting, acoustics and air purification are shown to be key to guestroom wellness. Advances in sleep science will be discussed along with new innovative products that promote sleep for hotel guests. Finally we will take a glimpse into the future of wellness technology in guestrooms. READ MORE

The American lifestyle generates one of the highest per capita emissions in the world. With nearly 40 percent of the world's energy being consumed by buildings, one of the quickest, most cost-effective ways to influence the U.S. carbon footprint is to reduce energy that escapes through leaky walls and windows. From the perspective of his 20-year career in the international window industry, Helmut Grohschaedl shares why uPVC windows are widely used in commercial buildings throughout Europe and how U.S. hotels have applied European window technology to reduce their energy costs. READ MORE

Sustainability programs in hospitality are growing, amid hotels seeking new technologies to enter their lobbies and guest rooms. Technology has evolved to provide multiple purposes. As hotels seek in-room entertainment and voice control amenities, these systems can in turn be used to manage the room's energy usage. Brands no longer have to invest just in sustainability as part of a brand initiative, it can be built into other systems to provide both guest experience and operational benefit. Layers of return on investment from these systems are encouraging adoption of better sustainability practices in-line with demand for new hotel technologies. READ MORE

Energy conservation usually isn't at the top of hotel executives' priority list for any number of reasons. Implementing an energy strategy is thought to be complicated and expensive. And there are always a host of other squeaky wheels that seem to pop up on the to-do list that take priority. It isn't for lack of trying, but for a lack of knowing that energy often takes a back seat to other issues. Shining a light on energy conservation as a process should help to eliminate some of your unknowns and move you to action. READ MORE

Technologies like the internet of things (IoT) and Amazon's Alexa are poised to increase guest expectations and disrupt operation in ways that many hoteliers haven't yet considered. Bots, location-based services are generally understood as technologies that will directly impact properties, but one area that seems likely to disrupted in the near future is the hiring process, where managers will need to strike a balance between hiring for attitude, and hiring for tech-savvy. READ MORE

Market segmentation is of particular importance in the complex and competitive hospitality world of today because it does not only help put things in perspective, but also ensures that you won't have to waste money and efforts in areas that won't bring any positive results. Cost of acquisition and contribution by revenue source are extremely important factors that need to be taken into consideration when managing a business in the highly competitive and ambiguous hotel management industry, which is another reason why market segmentation needs to be leveraged. Doing so will not only help you understand where your customers are coming from, but it will also be easier for you to figure out which areas need improvement and which customer groups you should focus on more for greater revenues. READ MORE

Today's hospitality organizations rely on advanced technologies in a wide range of back-office operations, as well as areas directly impacting guest services. And much more is to come. Implementing these technologies successfully demands a careful approach to assessing needs, whereby all stakeholders embrace the new systems; acquisition; and implementation, including a thoughtful approach to staff training. In this way, we can achieve the objectives of making our jobs easier as we acquire new powers, communicate better within our organizations and with strategic partners and serve guests in new ways. READ MORE