HOTELS

First, the good: The wealthy in America plan to spend more this year than last year on vacations, weekend getaways and resorts and fine hotels, according to an April 9 survey of 638 well-to-do households by the American Express Publishing Corp. and the Harrison Group.

Now, the bad: The same survey found that while the wealthy may keep spending on vacations and hotels, upper middle class, affluent and super affluent Americans are curtailing travel, and nearly 30% of survey respondents planned to spend less on items perceived as indulgent, including restaurants.

Finally, the ugly: Nearly 80% of America’s wealthiest (in this survey, wealthiest representing the top 10% of the U.S. population, who generate 50% of all U.S. retail spending and account for US$4.1 trillion in annual consumption) be...Read More

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Coinciding with the arrival of the month of May (which signals the upcoming start of the summer travel season in the United States) is the debut at many hotels of what I consider one of the least innovative hotel marketing offers out there: the gas rebate package.

This offer has been around for years in one form or another, but most commonly involves staying at least two nights at a certain rate, and for doing so receiving a “gas rebate,” “gas credit,” or “gas reimbursement” of a nominal amount (usually US$40 to US$50 per stay).

And though I loathe the press releases touting these offers, one can’t argue with success, which several sales and marketing directors tell me they’ve had with such packages.

“Marriott partners very closely with AAA, and we introduced a package last year wi...Read More

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This just in: Travel agents can bring you business. A lot of business. So don’t forget about them.

So says the latest report from travel industry research firm PhoCusWright Inc. Specifically, it notes that the travel agency distribution channel accounts for nearly US$110 billion in sales, or about 41% of all travel booked in the United States.

Perhaps the Web hasn’t killed the travel agent after all.

“The agency distribution landscape is large, complex and dynamic,” says Douglas Quinby, senior director of research at PhoCusWright. “Companies seeking to engage with this important distribution channel must understand which segments of the agency landscape are relevant for their business.”

For La Quinta, California-based ...Read More

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Today is Earth Day, and with temperatures in the 70s (that’s 21-24 Celsius) in Chicago, I’m reminded daily how great life can be when one enjoys the outdoors. Though I’m stuck inside in our office during business hours on most days, I do spend at least a couple of nights each week coaching youth soccer or going for a run outside.

That said, here are a few ways hoteliers can get outdoors before, during or after the work day:

- No matter your role in a hotel or hotel company, and no matter how much work you feel the need to do, make time to exercise at least a couple of times per week, and do so outside when the weather is cooperative. Perhaps this means walking to/from work.

- If you spend all day in the executive office at a hotel property, take 30 minutes in the afternoon to mingle with guests on the terrace, in the...Read More

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Nothing seems hotter heading into summer in North America than being motorcycle friendly.

Earlier this month, Best Western announced that more than 1,000 member properties across the U.S. and Canada are now rider friendly, offering motorcycle riders wipe-down towels at check in and complimentary access to a wash station. In addition, some properties are offering designated parking, tar remover, sunscreen and lip balm for riders.

The hotel chain’s new commitment to motorcycle enthusiasts is part of a recent agreement between Best Western and Harley-Davidson to bring travel benefits to Harley riders. Besides the amenities, other benefits include a specially-themed rewards program and 10% savings for booking Best Western reservations through Harley-Davidson’s interactive ...Read More

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Yesterday TripAdvisor announced that it now features 15 million user reviews and opinions, up from 10 million in June 2007. What's more, TripAdvisor-branded sites reached more than 25 million unique monthly visitors in the past year, according to the comScore Media Metrix Digital Calculator Report, July 2007 .

In my last blog post, I argued that hoteliers should monitor their presence on TripAdvisor and do everything they can (within ethical behavior) to get a good ranking and good user reviews. My fellow blogger, e-marketing expert Scott Van Hartesvelt, also advises hoteliers to "study the feedback you receive on third-party review sites" in his lates...Read More

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After some initial disappointment in finding the Four Seasons Peninsula Papagayo sold out during the time I would be traveling to that particular region of Costa Rica, I used TripAdvisor to help me find an alternative hotel for the first few nights of my recent honeymoon. Doing so led me to the adult-only, 5-room Los Altos de Eros Luxury Inn, Spa & Yoga, the No. 1 most popular out of 28 TripAdvisor hotels near Tamarindo. With glowing user reviews, I figured I’d give the property a shot—and I couldn’t be happier that I did....Read More

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Sheraton seems to be a brand on a marketing mission.

First, late last year, the brand started a worldwide pillow fight online. “It’s all about connecting with consumers and potential consumers,” explained Jeff Mirman, director of interactive marketing for the brand. “We feel it’s a fun way to get our brand across.”

Then, earlier this month, Sheraton announced the rollout of new signature room amenities in its North America properties, including Bliss bath amenities, Starbucks coffee and Tazo tea. “We know quality bath products and premium brands of coffee and tea are important to our guest...Read More

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We’ve come a long way since 1971, the year HOTELS magazine (then known as Service World International) first ranked the top global hotel companies by the previous year’s room count. This year, for the first time, our annual HOTELS Giants survey has moved entirely online.

From sending out an initial e-mail blast to some 400 top hotel company prospects to housing the Giants survey itself on our Web site, the goal is to make the entire process (completing the survey, browsing and editing the data as necessary, running reports and ranking the 300 largest hotel companies) simpler for everyone involved.

There is no question we’ve made it easier on ourselves (and especially on me, your 2008 Giants Director), but we won’t know for certain whether the process is running...Read More

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While Editor in Chief Jeff Weinstein had the plum assignment of attending the lavish launch party for Marriott’s new boutique brand, Edition, during the 2008 Americas Lodging Industry Summit (ALIS), I was doing the work of the truly dedicated hotel industry magazine editor, getting up before 6 a.m. January 29th for an early morning run with Starwood CEO Frits van Paasschen.

Sponsored by Starwood’s ELEMENT hotels brand, I anticipated nothing more than a PR opportunity for the company—getting the relatively new CEO out there ...Read More

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While the holiday season is supposed to be a time for good spirits and cheer, for many, it is a time of great stress thanks to the required shopping, traveling and cooking.

I commend Loews Hotels for attempting to relieve some of that stress by offering expert advice from sommeliers on which wines best complement certain holiday meals or make great holiday gifts. A hotel company that can make people’s lives easier, even when the people are not hotel guests, is sure to hold a desired place in those people’s minds and hearts.

Unfortunately, this attempt to drive affinity and loyalty may have failed—my own experience with Loews’ “Wine Line” has left a sour taste in my mouth.

Loews marketed its Wine Line service in this way:
...Read More

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In a report released today, global ad agency JWT identifies shifts that will drive consumer thinking and behavior in the year ahead. “We believe it’s essential to plot societal shifts in order to develop big brand ideas,” says Ann Mack, director of trendspotting at JWT. “Trendspotting allows us to figure out how the mood of the moment is affecting people’s lives.”

Below are 7 key trends to watch from JWT, complete with my analysis of what they mean for the hotel industry.

“Blue Is The New Green” Climate change has quickly become the driver of environmentalism 2.0, and people worldwide understand that climate is all about the seas and the sky—both blue. Watch for “green” to become a subset of &...Read More

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