Is the “hush workcation” the new vacation trend? Nearly a third of Americans admitted they’ve worked remotely on vacation without telling their bosses. The poll of 2,000 – split evenly among travelers and hotel workers – found 52% of employed Americans would use their vacation travels as a chance to work remotely and 29% have done so without notifying anyone at work. Close to four in ten (39%) explained it was simply because they like what they do for work. Meanwhile, others would work on vacation to hit an important work deadline that overlapped with their vacation time (28%) or to save on th ..read more

Houston TX, April 25 2024 – Hotel technology specialist SHR has announced the expansion of its Global Advisory Board, strengthening its position as an innovation leader in the hospitality sector. The Global Advisory Board at SHR is a collective of senior executives across the hospitality landscape, chosen for their expertise and deep industry insights. This platform provides a forum for open dialogue on strategic issues, emerging trends, and the development of cutting-edge solutions that enhance guest experiences, streamline operations, and increase profitability for hospitality businesses glo ..read more

In the hospitality sector, retaining employees has always been challenging, especially with the surge in turnover during the pandemic, which hasn’t yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. As a result, there’s a growing demand for swift hiring and robust retention strategies. Fortunately, you can implement several proven approaches to bolster retention, with one standout method being an effective onboarding process. When executed right, onboarding can elevate hospitality retention rates by as much as 50%. It can also enhance engagement and help new hires acclimate to their roles and the new work e ..read more

The luxury industry is undergoing a change. As a result, its products are reaching more and more people. In order to avoid losing exclusivity and uniqueness, many brands are now relying on ‘experiences’. These are enabling them to strengthen their relationships with their customers, offering them a unique experience without sacrificing status or reputation. The luxury industry is undergoing a phase of transformation. While in the past few used to buy luxury items, many more people are now spending their money on high-end brands. Evidence of this can be seen, for example, with the French fashio ..read more

Feeling the pinch of OTA commissions? You’re not alone. Their fees can really take a big bite out of the bottom line. One way to drive direct business at a generally lower acquisition cost is through affiliate marketing, a powerful alternative to reclaim direct bookings and build stronger guest relationships. But where do you start? Here’s our top 5 tips to leverage affiliate marketing to drive direct bookings for hoteliers and vacation rental providers: 1. Partner with Strategic Affiliates Don’t just scatter your affiliate net. Identify travel bloggers, influencers, and websites with audience ..read more

Rumours continue to swirl around a new TikTok Photos app, now thought to be named “TikTok Notes.” Could this be a game-changer for hoteliers to breathe new life into their social media strategies and guest engagement? Yesterday, social media user @cmcalgary posted a screenshot from TikTok showing details of a long-rumoured new TikTok Photos App, called ‘TikTok Notes’. They received the pop-up while uploading a static image to the platform. Described as ‘coming soon’, the pop-up continues to give more details about how the platform plans to handle photo posts moving forward: “TikTok Notes, a ne ..read more

Hotel Speak, a leading online news resource for hotel marketing news and insights, is thrilled to announce a media partnership with The National Hotel Marketing Conference (NHMC) – the UK’s only dedicated annual conference for the hotel marketing and sales community, to be held on May 2nd at the Hilton at St. George’s Park, the English FA Centre of Excellence in Staffordshire. In today’s fast-evolving hospitality landscape, staying ahead of the curve is crucial for success. Where better for UK hospitality professionals to hear about the latest trends in hotel marketing than The National Hotel ..read more

In the fiercely competitive hospitality world, a hotel’s brand is its battle cry. It’s the essence of what you offer, the promise you make to guests, and the reason they choose you over countless competitors. This guide delves into the art of hotel brand positioning, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to craft a powerful brand identity that attracts the right guests and drives success. Understanding Hotel Brand Positioning: The Cornerstone of Your Identity Brand positioning goes far beyond a catchy tagline or eye-catching logo. It’s the strategic foundation upon which your entire hotel ..read more

In the bustling ambiance of a hotel restaurant, staff are often challenged to serve an array of high-quality beverages swiftly. The iSi system stands out as the perfect ally in meeting these demands. Its intuitive design is especially accessible, enabling staff with varied levels of experience to quickly become proficient, thereby ensuring beverages are prepared swiftly and wait times are minimised. Batch preparation becomes a key advantage during peak dining hours. The iSi system allows staff to prepare components for popular drinks in advance. With a few simple steps, elements like whipped c ..read more

In the ever-evolving world of online travel booking, a new concept called the Search Generative Experience (SGE) is emerging from Google. This new approach aims to transform how travellers discover hotels, moving beyond simple keyword searches to a more conversational and user-centric experience. While details remain under wraps, the potential impact of SGE on hotel marketing strategies is undeniable. Let’s delve deeper into what we know about SGE and explore how you can prepare your hotel to thrive in this new search landscape. Understanding SGE: Beyond Keywords Unlike traditional keyword-bas ..read more