User Generated Content (UGC), which is anything that a customer shares about a brand on social media, seems to be a marketing golden ticket for restaurants. It speaks to the public’s demand for authenticity and is budget friendly. We have seen restaurants use tactics like aggressive review requests, flashy in-restaurant photo ops, and even online sweepstakes to drive more diners to post about, tag, and review restaurants. However, before chasing after this highly sought-after marketing content, the pros and cons must be weighed to avoid any severe marketing missteps. PROS Low Financial Cost On ..read more

There is no doubt about it – the wellness travel industry is here to stay, showing steady growth since the end of the pandemic. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that travelers are now flocking in droves to traditional hotel gyms and beauty spas. Travelers want to leave hotels and resorts feeling more revitalized and healthier than when they arrived. The industry has responded by creating focused and highly personalized experiences that often include clinical treatments often only seen at specialized healthcare facilities. Here are some wellness travel trends that blur the line between th ..read more

Hotel human resources and executive teams can make the best-laid plans for diversity initiatives, but they will never see success without truly inclusive hotel workplaces for their teams. This brings about two questions for hotel owners – “What does it mean to be inclusive?” and “Why should I care?”. Inclusive workplaces consist of employees who have a collective sense of belonging within an organization. These environments welcome individual talents, promote professional development, and value unique perspectives. If you are wondering how this will benefit your hotel business, consider the fo ..read more

Most likely, your country club takes pride in its storied history and deep-rooted traditions. However, this commitment to tradition shouldn’t extend to your marketing tactics. To attract new demographics and engage existing members, your club should keep its communications and messaging fresh. Not sure if your country club marketing is falling behind? Here are a few basics to consider: Email Communications are Impersonal With all the talk of social media trends, it’s easy to forget that email is still a powerful marketing tool. However, messages must be personal and specific to stand out from ..read more

The hottest topic of discussion at industry conferences lately has been dynamic pricing for restaurants, a data-backed strategy that adjusts menu prices on demand. This strategy, also known as “surge pricing”, has been successful in other industries like ride-sharing and airlines, but its implementation in the restaurant industry is still up for fiery debate. Here are some significant pros and cons of dynamic pricing for restaurant operators to consider: PROS It Could Provide Consistency for Your Business Many restaurants have had to adjust their operations in the face of rising rent, payroll ..read more

If you work hard and perform well, your hospitality career will take off, right? Not exactly. While hard work is indeed the crux of a successful career, it will only get you so far. If you aren’t sure why your hospitality career has stalled despite performing well and working hard, it may be time to take your career into your own hands. Here are some of the top pieces of advice from our hospitality recruiters for when your hospitality career feels stuck: Leverage your Performance You get top marks in your performance reviews and meet all your financial goals and KPIs, yet still only scrape tog ..read more

Whether voluntarily or legally obligated, hospitality employers have made record-setting pay rate increases in 2023. However, many companies are still struggling to attract talent due to a low unemployment rate. When employers compete for talent in a small talent pool, they need more than increased pay to gain the upper hand. These conditions will produce an explosion of lucrative benefits for employees in 2024. The following are the most competitive benefits that we will see hospitality employers offering this year: Performance Based Bonuses Hyper-Flexible Scheduling Financial Health Paid Fa ..read more

Between the rise in unreliable third-party to-go orders and a recent wave of price increases, there has been an increase in nasty reviews online. For some restaurant managers, over-the-top, bad reviewers simply do not merit a response, especially if the diners were unruly or rude. But responding to these might be in a restaurant’s best interest. Potential customers can see that management is committed to quality (or protecting their staff), and review sites like Google and Yelp will be more likely to recommend active businesses. But before you hit “reply” on a nasty review, consider the follow ..read more

Whether you are a hotel professional trying to climb the ladder, or transitioning mid-career into hotels, the path to becoming a hotel general manager can sometimes be unclear. While each brand, region, and even property has its quirks, there are a few things that every hotel manager needs to be successful. Consider these skills when deciding if you have what it takes to be a successful hotel general manager: Strong Financial Acumen Ability to Problem-Solve Hands-on Leadership An Eye for Talent Strong Financial Acumen Financial acumen is, without a doubt, the leading skill that Horizon Hospi ..read more

Even though senior living staffing has improved immensely since the pandemic, attracting new staff is the number one priority for many senior living communities in 2024. Where can communities find fresh talent that can grow and develop with the senior living industry? Since Generation Z will make up 30% of the total workforce by 2025, these young workers could be the answer. Here are four strategies to attract Generation Z workers to senior living: Keep the Recruitment Process Simple These candidates want to feel that their time is valued during the process, and they do not want to jump throug ..read more