Say cheese. The HongKong Poly hotel school has published an interesting study about what motivates travelers to share their food-related experiences through social media. The bottom line, the study says, is that information influences others’ behavior and acts as a form of destination marketing. I know “Instagrammable” moments can come off as cliché, but when I review my feed it’s clear the trend is far from over.—J.W.
You can relate. Bustle.com just published a list about what 19 guest behaviors that really frustrate hotel staff. It’s Friday, so what better time to read through this, relate and laugh it off. Here is hoping you have a weekend filled with proper guest etiquette.—J.W.
Free is good. Skamania Lodge, Stevens, Washington, just released a free iBook guide to help reduce food waste for hotels, restaurants and resorts. The hotel shares its ideas that have drastically reduced its waste while simultaneously increasing its sales. Can’t get enough of this.—J.W.
Taking aim at guest trash. Travelers United co-founder Christopher Elliott writes in the Washington Post about an in-room necessity that’s being treated more like an amenity, at least as far as he can tell: the trash bin. Used to be that several were always within tossing distance, but Elliott and other travelers think their numbers are dwindling to just one, usually in the bathroom. The move might increase housekeeper efficiency and thus revenue; or perhaps it subtly reinforces less wasteful habits in guests. Hotels won’t confirm or deny – but if guests generate more than their usual amount of trash because they depend on packaged foods or other conveniences of the road, a single tiny bin probably won’t do the job.—Barbara Bohn