By feature writer L. Aruna Dhir: Tell me frankly, what is the first thing that strikes you when you enter the precincts of a luscious hotel? Is it the imposing Baccarat Chandelier with ear drop crystals reflecting a desire and a promise for luxe living? Or is it the ever-smiling staff, starched in shape and fine tuned to deliver that impeccable service? Let me reveal a secret.
The Growing Trend of Bleisure Travel
By Feature Writer Frederic Gonzalo: What do you get when more and more business travelers extend their stay at their destination for leisure purposes? Bleisure travel is the awful moniker coined to define what is undoubtedly a growing trend in the travel industry, as the blurring of personal and professional lives of travelers increases on a global level.
Are You Dressed for Success? So What Are You Wearing Today?
By feature writer L. Aruna Dhir: Indeed, dress and deportment are two integral aspects that define our sense of belonging, slot us in the appropriate niche and help us step up for success in our roles. What we wear will always be important in our line of work and rightly so! But let’s look at something that is even more important – how we make-up our mental framework and dress up our demeanour.
Better Than Swiss Chocolate
By Feature Writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng: Interview at Grand Kempinski Geneva with Theirry Lavalley, General Manager.
The Evolving Role of the Transactional DMO
By feature writer Frederic Gonzalo: The Destination Marketing Organization looks after the marketing and communications of a territory, municipality, or region. In most cases, a DMO represents a variety of industry stakeholders, such as accommodations, transportation, restaurants, festivals and events, attractions, shopping, spas, and meeting planning facilities and providers. As such, destination marketing is a vital component of the travel decision and purchase funnel for consumers as they plan their next vacation or business trip. Both the New York City's public/private tourism promotion company NYCGo and the San Francisco Travel Association recently announced they had reached agreements with Booking.com, an online travel agency (OTA), to have it openly provide the transactional engine on their official websites. Could this mark the beginning of a new and lasting trend?
The Gateway to Chinese Travellers
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng: We all know Chinese outbound travel is growing. But by how much? How does one get involved? What are the first steps? The process is intimidating, and so I've sought the help of experts to help hoteliers understand this business arena. Joining me today is Evan Saunders, the CEO of Attract China to discuss how Chinese tourism is impacting the world and how your hotel can get involved.
Is Your Restaurant Food Brag Worthy?
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng: A good way to reframe your menu is to ask the question: Is my food ‘brag worthy’? Will a person use your cuisine as a comeuppance when his or her friends start discussing the latest and greatest eateries?
Can Social Networks Contribute to Responsible Tourism?
By feature writer Frederic Gonzalo: Personally, I don't think social networks alone contribute to responsible tourism, yet I firmly believe they act as catalysts to empower locals and travelers to shake the industry and create a new order that has yet to be specified. This disruption aligns in many ways with what defines responsible tourism, thus destinations need to take notice.
Are You Ready for a Crisis?
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng: I am sure we all watched the unfolding of the horrible drama at the Westlake Shopping Center in Kenya with complete horror. Imagine how the lives of innocent people spending a Saturday shopping were turned around in an instant. No one in their right mind condones such acts of terrorism. And, while the causes of this extremism can be argued incessantly, the simple fact is that terrible, unforeseen events happen. In an informal poll, I asked 25 senior managers (of North American properties) four questions to better understand their preparedness. Why don't you answer these questions for yourself.
Book Review: Llamas Rule – A New Tool for Hoteliers
The inspiration for “Llamas Rule” by Larry Mogelonsky is to give hoteliers a new tool in their arsenal– one that takes into account all the recent changes to our system of commerce. This is not an introductory textbook on the hospitality industry, but rather a compilation of selected topics that highlight both modern success stories and potential pitfalls.
