Do you know what I find interesting? How many independent hotel and bed & breakfast owners continue to have and enforce bad policies. It’s 2015 and I have met many hospitality property owners who manage their staff like it is the 1960’s. The arguments varied but many I have spoken with have told me they treat their employees exactly the same way they were treated when they began their work careers. If you remember back to the 50’s, 60’ and [...]
Are you a proprietor of an Independent Hotel or Bed & Breakfast? Do you have a problem finding great employees? Do you feel like you would need to clone yourself to get everything done the way you like? Unfortunately, we do not reside in a perfect world; cloning isn't a scientific option and usually there's not sufficient time in a day for you to handle all aspects of your property. There are times you will require help. [...]
When starting a business is setting up an Organizational Structure a priority? So, you'd made a conscious decision in the past to open an Independent Hotel or Bed & Breakfast. The very thought of being your own boss, spending the days chatting with your guests, sharing stories, being known all over as The Friendly Innkeeper sounded extremely appealing. It was a delightful and romantic vision. Now, returning to reality. Occasionally, it's likely you have days like that but most of [...]
This article was originally posted on and is an interesting study of online booking and the way guest consider their Bed & Breakfast or Hotel Selections. June 17 2015 By Samantha Worgull Associate Editor, Reader Engagement sworgull@hotelnewsnow.com Studying eye tracking during the online booking process could help revenue managers better understand consumers’ hotel selections. Highlights People have high and low price thresholds. Images can change a prospective guest’s mind. People don’t look at properties with less than 3 stars. REPORT [...]
A look at the future hotel room. Written by Patrick Landman @ Xotels on 21 May 2015. Originally Posted in Xotels At Xotels we are very fortunate to have been working with various exceptional and innovative hotel concepts over the years. The key to success, as we see it, is breaking paradigms and challenging the status quo. And so does our latest partner, Zoku. They have just launched their brand, announcing The End of the Hotel Room ... When I [...]
What do you do if a branded hotel moves near your Independent hotel or inn? These 7 steps will ensure your property will continue to get your fair share of the business. By Shawn A. Turner HNN contributor REPORT FROM THE U.S.—Independent hoteliers need not panic if a branded hotel anchors itself nearby, according to owners and operators of independents properties. These seven steps will ensure independents continue to get their fair share of demand by developing the Best Hotel [...]
We met a guy named Vijay at a conference where he and I were speaking. About six months later, we heard from him. "So I wanted to let you know, I'm out of here," said Vijay on the phone. "What's the story?" we asked. "When we met you, you loved your job." "I loved the job I thought I had, which is the job I interviewed for," said Vijay. "That job never materialized. The company is trying to change its [...]
Nothing screams “half-assed hobby” louder than a bad, poorly done business card. As travel entrepreneurs, many of whom work from home, it’s critical you go overboard on your most basic marketing pieces. The business card is one of them and it doesn’t even have to cost a fortune. There are fantastic low cost options for getting them designed and printed … online with someone like VistaPrint or offline with a local printer. You want your business card to establish you [...]
Do you ever have times where your heart always seems to be pounding, you're anxious, can’t sleep and the littlest things seem to set you off? Are you ever amazed how some people always seem to stay composed during trying situations that would make mere mortals fall apart? Accepted wisdom says that the ability to remain calm is a character trait that most of us lack, but recent studies have revealed that staying calm under pressure isn't a trait you are born with, [...]
In the past, I have suggested it is a good idea to look for businesses in your area to partner. This is a way to support each other, while giving your guests a sample of what can be found in your region. In this post you will read about 6 hotels that have partnered with farmers markets. Fall is when farmers markets across the country are in full swing, hawking heirloom tomatoes, golden beets and, all grown within a few [...]
