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.
The Pleasure Principle
By feature writer L. Aruna Dhir: In general, everyone’s life and work-life has its share of crests and troughs, sometimes fair, many times not so. With so much at stake on the work table, it only makes wise sense to create a set of pleasant, happy experiences in that all-important zone. Let us look at the times we ride the high wave and reflect on the reasons and contributing factors intently, so that we can endeavour to extend the ride for greater times much more than the lows we are bound to hit upon.
How to Restore a Heritage Restaurant
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng: Anyone who’s anyone in the hospitality business knows that F&B is paramount to overall guest satisfaction. Having recently visited the mighty metropolis of London, England, I had the opportunity to visit the always grand and newly reopened Kaspar’s Seafood Bar and Grill at The Savoy. What makes for a great dining experience and how does Kaspar’s fit in with the rest of The Savoy’s restaurants?
How Our Flying Experience Is Changing
By feature writer Frederic Gonzalo: Within both the international and domestic travel industries, airlines and airports play a pivotal role. International Air Transport Association (IATA) predicts that airlines will carry some 3.6 billion passengers in 2016 – an increase of around 800 million over 2011 passenger numbers! Yet with increasing mobile device adoption, new technologies and social media disrupting the customer experience at various levels in the hospitality world, how is our overall flying experience changing? A recent report produced by SITA sheds interesting light on this perspective.
Being a Global Brand Leader
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky: Larry interviews Larry Light, Global Chief Brands Officer for InterContinental Hotels to uncover some of the moves he’s made to help steer the massive ship that is IHG towards future branding success.
RevPAR, GOPPAR, ProfPAR: Which Is A KEY Metric?
By feature writer Serge Chamelian: Everyone has heard of RevPAR and its importance to the hotel industry, but is it still the preeminent measurement tool to assess financial performance of hotels?
Autumn Beckons a Return to Productivity for the Northern Hemisphere
By feature writer Larry Mogelonsky, MBA, P. Eng.: With the summer season behind us (winter season for those in South America, South Africa or Australia), spend a few minutes taking stock of your situation and planning your strategic charge through to the end of the calendar year. Here is my ‘Top Ten’ list of items that should be on your radar as we drive towards the final quarter.
