By Lee Hayhurst: A new real-time hotel feedback service aimed at keeping bad reviews off TripAdvisor is due to go on trial in London.

By Laura Bly: Wikivoyage, in test mode for several months but making its official debut today, will compete in a crowded arena that includes guidebook publishers such as Fodors, Frommers and Lonely Planet, user-generated reviews and forums such as TripAdvisor, and Wikitravel, a 10-year-old commercial site inspired by Wikipedia that's battling the newcomer in court.

By Erin Shea: Marketers should realize that luxury is not going away and luxury goods will always be present. The luxury market has surged back after the last downturn of the economy. However, luxury marketers need to make sure they understand their consumers and their future consumers.

By Alan Campbell: It is a hotel’s reputation that makes it successful, and as long as you can maintain or improve that reputation, no amount of competitors will be able to empty your rooms.

By Jacques Bughin:  A lot of companies congratulate themselves on having a "social media presence" — by which they mean a Twitter following and Facebook likes and a marketing plan that uses social networks. But some 70% of the extra profit to be made through social technologies has nothing to do with marketing. It's in areas of the company such as knowledge management, innovation, communication, and better integration with the supply chain.

Travellers in the region rely heavily on internet reviews for travel decision-making.

By Julie Rains: The upsell — a sales pitch to move a customer from an average selection, moderately priced to an outstanding selection at a premium price — can boost sales and profits. But does selling up simply mean pushing customers to buy a higher priced trinket? If you answered “yes,” you may be trying too hard. And you’re most likely missing opportunities to make the connections that invite trust and enable the genuine upsell that happens without even trying.

By John Hendrie: It was suggested by an article in December’s CRM  magazine that by 2014 some 10% to 15% of positive on-line reviews will be fake and paid for by companies hoping to influence the marketplace. This includes social media sites, as well, like Yelp and YouTube. That’s right, people will be paid to write good news about an establishment; they will not have been a guest at all.  Let’s not forget that wily competitors may be doing just the opposite!

By Claudette Covey: After a dip in demand over the past couple of months, group occupancy is once again beginning to increase, according to data from the December 2012 TravelClick North American Hospitality Review (NAHR).

By Amy Williams Bernstein: Imagine being in a cruise ship lounge, surrounded by 1,000 face-painted KISS fans—and the real KISS. Or, imagine making small talk at the sushi bar with sports legend Ken Griffey, Sr. What do these experiences have in common? They're all available on theme cruises.