It is rare to find someone in the hospitality industry who does not have a passion for it. Similar to F&B, medical, and other forms of service employment, hospitality is fast-paced, ever-changing, and high-demand. Those who have hit their stride are able to think ahead and juggle numerous tasks at once, all while keeping a smile on their face and remaining calm under pressure. If it sounds grueling, that’s because it is. Yet, anyone who has done time in hospitality knows of its siren call. Owners and operators speak of their property in reverent tones; there is a sense of relationship, as if the union between man and hotel is something sacred. Consider the intrigue of working the front desk, especially as night auditor. Hotels are a constant source of drama and mystery. Why else would they be the scene of so many thrilling tales by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock and Stephen King? Certainly the monotony of nightly check-ins is broken by the small insights into the lives of late-night travelers. The high demands put on hospitality workers makes for a strong desire to run a tight ship. Even those at the lowest on the chain of command expect …
i2E is a private, not-for-profit corporation with a focus on high-growth companies in Oklahoma. They visited our offices early this month and spoke with CMO Ken Marold about what to expect from Monscierge in the coming year. Check out the video below for Ken’s take on guest experience, hospitality technology, and the emerging markets for touchscreen software.
If there is one thing that everyone can agree on concerning travel in 2012, it is that today’s travelers are more in the know than they have ever been. Rarely does anyone plan a trip without first checking into their destination via online reviews, peer recommendations, and property websites. In a recent article by USA Today, Choice Hotels CEO Steve Joyce says, “I don’t know any segment of the business where people aren’t demanding more value, and I think that will remain until people feel like they have recovered their wealth, which is going to be 10 years from now. It’s free Internet, free parking, free breakfast and other services they want but don’t want to pay additional for.” Guest experience has always been the driving force behind the hospitality industry, and this new generation of tech-savvy travelers is raising the bar for hotel owners everywhere. It is no longer enough to have the best photos, the best marketing strategy, or to coast on reputation. “Travel destinations are working harder and harder to retain credibility in the age of the incredulous.” (via Larry Mogelonsky) A current study by Hospitality Technology shows that the second biggest IT concern for hotels is …
In a bold move last week, I decided to take six children out to dinner. I was the only adult. We drove around town for awhile, looking for an appropriate place to eat that interesting enough for our celebratory mood but still casual enough for kids. I rarely take my children to places that don’t incorporate playground equipment and miniature bathrooms, and didn’t realize until I had them all loaded up in the car that I was at a loss as to where to eat. I wanted full-service, they wanted pizza. I wanted to skip crowds and lines; they wanted to know if there would be root beer. My solution? I talked to my friends who take their children out regularly, and one particular place seemed to be ranking high with all of them. It was a local pizza joint that was new to us, and we loved it. The grown-up atmosphere seemed intimidating at first, but the kids quickly adjusted and behaved like proper young men and women the entire time. Our server knew just how to talk to them, and kept them entertained every time he visited our table. When the manager stopped by to check on us, …
The 4th of July in your hometown A lot of people travel for the 4th of July. It’s a great time to visit family or soak up a three-day weekend in the sun. But with gas prices at the pump up 30 percent from last year, driving anywhere seems like an expensive idea. (Flying does too, for that matter.) However, this is the weekend we celebrate America’s independence, and what’s more patriotic than celebrating your homeland at home? Staycations are a great way to enjoy the holiday, and your own city, without feeling like you just stayed in. While some staycations can mean living it up at your house with your family, I suggest staycationing in your city. You probably put money aside for vacations. And what you’re saving on gas and travel, you can put toward an extra night at your hotel or dining out at new restaurants. You can maybe even see some of the local attractions you’ve always dismissed as touristy. It can be a lot of fun, and they usually attract people for a reason. A lot of cities have concerts in the park or festivals before the big firework show downtown. Staying at a hotel …