By Kelsey Nupnau: Facebook is an extremely open platform, meaning that everyone is allowed to share their photos and tag the hotel they are staying at on Facebook. So for instance, someone can check into a hotel, upload a picture and post the update on their personal Facebook profile. With that in mind, how can hoteliers benefit from these tagged photos?

By Sarah Halzack: LinkedIn has rapidly become one of recruiters’ most valued tools for identifying fresh talent. In particular, human resource professionals are flocking to the site because of its legions of “passive job seekers” — those who aren’t looking for a new position but might be convinced to jump ship for the right opportunity. However, even though LinkedIn may be one of today’s fastest-growing ways of finding new workers, it’s worth noting that more established recruiting tactics and tools still account for a larger share of new hires.

By Saloni: This time last year, London was in the grip of Olympic fever, and the capital’s many boutique hotels were heaving with sports fans from around the world, eager to enjoy the London 2012 experience in style. This year may be a little quieter, but there’s still plenty going on and many hotels are determined to make the most of the summer, as can be seen from July’s boutique hotel news.

By Agustino Fontevecchia: As the boutique hotel model has consolidated, some are experimenting with a new idea, the pop-up hotel, which depends on temporariness to derive its uniqueness.  Among those championing this new model is Design Hotels, a publicly traded firm in Germany run by Claus Sendlinger that has polished the model putting Tulum, Mexico on the map, following that up mounting a successful operation in Mykonos, Greece.

By feature writer Steve Curtin: In 2011, I worked with a hotel general manager, Victor, in Boston. One observation he made was that, although his staff was friendly, there were numerous occasions when hotel employees would huddle in small groups and banter, some with their backs to hotel guests and others with hands in their pockets. This disturbed Victor because he knew the power of first impressions.

By feature writer Yoland Perras: One month into my “Critical path” in preparation for the opening of this property, I have settled in OK; a few hurdles down the road yet nothing unmanageable. I’ve learned about my new surroundings and found a couple of places to eat and shop. I work alongside my “only” co-worker, the Deputy General Manager (DGM) who has been assigned by my Owners to assist me in my journey. You do not go into this process without obstacles. One personal hick-up, if not solved, can have great influence on my many tasks ahead.

By Mike Waite: In the last 12 months, European Hotel brands didn’t crack the top five in overall guest satisfaction. But during the most recent quarter, European hotel brands surged to the top of the list. It is time to make way for EMEA. How did European brands catapult to the top?

By Henry Samuel: The number of Chinese visitors to France jumped by more than 23 per cent last year, new figures show, in the latest sign the country is trouncing Britain in attracting the highly-prized Asian customers.