Azavista, the first data driven group travel and event planning solution, surveyed 400 event planners from agencies and enterprises around the world. The goal of the survey was to identify the key problems event planners face, as well as the correlation between these challenges and the measurement of Event Return on Investment and the use of technology tools.

The evenings are getting darker, auburn leaves are falling from the trees and the cool air sends a shiver down your spine. It can only mean one thing – Halloween has arrived!

Faced with an ever-increasing economic hit to the domestic travel and tourism industry resulting from the ongoing government shutdown and the looming breach of the federal debt ceiling, the American Hotel &Lodging Association (AH&LA) and hoteliers from across the country sent a letter to President Barack Obama and all 535 members of the United States Congress pressing for a swift, bipartisan resolution.

By feature writer Joe Boon: Trying to get yourself noticed in the massively competitive hospitality industry can be a struggle. But don't worry! The digital world is here to help. Below, we offer a guide to the critical practices necessary to promote your establishment successfully online.

By feature writer Jean Francois Mourier, CEO of REVPAR GURU: Have you ever experienced this issue at your property? You receive some reservations via some OTAs, a few from online wholesalers and others from your website booking engine. Most of these are emailed to your team to be inputted into your PMS. Unfortunately though, your front desk and reservation team are busy dealing with a chaotic day of issues and the arrival of an entire conference of people. The new reservations (which are for check-in tomorrow) are not noticed until much later that evening, once everything has settled down. When the reservation was originally made, your property was at 98% occupancy (due to the on-site conference) and by the time the new reservations were discovered in the email inbox, the hotel was completely booked. People get busy, emails overlooked, faxes lost. And no matter the reason, it results in problems for your hotel. But it doesn't have to be that way…

By Claudette Covey: Luxury consumers are spending more on travel, technology and food and drink, according to a Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) survey designed to identify trends in luxury travel.

According to a new survey of more than 850 Americans conducted by Marriott Caribbean & Mexico Resorts, a majority feel that, when it comes to love, they are more romantic than their partners but could still use a little help to spark passion in their relationship.

By John Buchanan: As corporate rate and contract negotiation season heats up, there is a significant difference between what hoteliers want and what buyers are expecting to pay. To make matters stickier, buyers are looking for more value-added concessions within the prices they will agree to for 2014.

By feature writer Brett Patten: When it comes to creating a memorable guest experience, what has the ability to achieve a high level of customer loyalty conversion?

By feature writer Yoland Perras, General Manager, Sheraton Wuhan Hankou Hotel: What is it about our people that is so essential to the hospitality business? As opening date is confirmed, I set about interviewing for those very people.