Do you notice anything different? While we are always striving to make HOTELS magazine a better read, regularly tweaking both content and design, my picture in this space hasn’t changed in 10 years. When someone jokingly asked me if that was my Bar Mitzvah picture, I knew it was time for a change. In fact, this issue marks the launch of a refreshing new look for HOTELS.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call this a complete redesign of the magazine, but with the guidance of Senior Art Director Ala Ennes we are introducing a trend-forward look with bolder, more vibrant colors and images, stronger typography, more sidebars and smaller copy bites for today’s readers who don’t have time to digest a five-page special report. What does not change is our mission to provide you with what we think are useful and thought-provoking stories that have global application. We still want you to tear out pages and pass along great ideas to your department heads.

After my monthly rant, the new-look HOTELS still opens with the Global Update and leads with a story on a major trend or business opportunity, a timely profile, or a news analysis piece. The section will be loaded with factoids, quotes, insider reports and people news. In this section and in stories throughout the magazine, footnotes at the bottom of the pages will offer “factoids” or URLs to link to a little something extra online.

Our traditional Special Reports will now be broken down into several smaller stories. For example, this month’s report on green hotelkeeping provides an overview and is followed by brief reports on marketing, green building, thought leaders and more.

Our monthly design story will be more graphic in nature than in past issues with stronger images, yet it still will offer important takeaway editorial such as the regular “Study In Design.”

The other departments, including food and beverage and technology, will be equally refreshed, again with shorter takes—yet just as many, if not more, ideas. Don’t for a moment think shorter stories will affect the quality of our efforts. Our reporting will remain as thorough as ever and, along with what we offer daily on the Internet, we strive more than ever to provide the complete package of news, industry insights, opinion and best practices.

Before I forget, welcome to 2008, and we wish you another great year. The question on everyone’s mind is, how much longer can this impressive up-cycle last? Well, I don’t think anyone knows for sure, but I suggest keeping a positive outlook, as negative thinking has been known to become contagious. What I can offer are a few thoughts on trends as seen by industry leaders.

I am not alone in my increasing level of stress, especially when I am traveling. Whatever hoteliers can offer to alleviate stress as soon as guests arrive at their doors would be a most welcome amenity. Well-intentioned as their corporate slogans may be, I have found an increasingly less personalized level of service worldwide. Yes, focus on kindness in 2008. And one other important note: make sure your Web site is clean, interactive and easy to navigate with a robust online booking engine. Peace to all.