An overview of technology for hospitality.
How guest use of travel technologies is influencing hospitality trends There is this sort of race that seems to be happening in the hospitality industry. As hotels continue to focus on luxury and convenience, they are placing their attention on new forms of technology for their guests. Every new renovation mentioned in industry publications seems to be centered around or riddled with interactive touch screens or engaging video boards. It seems that in the struggle to gain and retain guest loyalty, technology might be the key hotels are hoping will make the difference. With cell phones and laptop applications like Skype, long-distance plans for in-room phones are outdated. And business centers are great for printing, but almost every traveler has their PC in their messenger bag. The demand for traditional technologies is disappearing. So, what technologies are guests really looking for? In some ways, it seems that guests are looking for unobtrusive technologies like digital reader boards. Digital reader boards are technologies that can be overlooked – in a good way. People don’t say, “Oh hey, check out that sweet reader board.” They just use it –– check their meeting location and time. They know what to do with it. …
Enjoy better health and new cultures by eating local cuisines We are all familiar with shows like “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives” or Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods.” Aside from popularity, these shows are really on to something. Food is such a central part of the culture of a place, both internationally and regionally. (You don’t go to Maine for the best catfish.) Food is an integral part of the travel experience. Food is a way to get to know a place. In Japan, eat the best ramen of your life; in New York eat a hot dog from a cart. In Italy, try every flavor of gelato. The types of food, the way you eat them, and when and why are all part of experiencing a place. If you stick to chains and familiar entrees everywhere you go, you are missing out on one of the biggest pleasures of travel. In many countries, there are traditional foods you really only eat for special occasions. Most of us are well acquainted with the Christmas turkey, but have never heard of a mooncake –– a delicious treat you must try if you are ever in China for the Mid-Autumn Festival. If you know …
I remember a lady from a job long ago who I absolutely loved working with – if she said she was going to do something, it always happened. If anyone asked her to do something, she was always receptive and positive and glad to do her job. I decided early on that I had great respect for her, and I’ve held it all this while. She was a great example to me that I’ve gladly followed. But we all know people who have the opposite effect –– “lead by example” has always been something I’ve believed in; you can lead the people around you either in a positive way, or negatively. Kind of like that one fruit in your fridge crisper drawer that was there just a little too long and turned into something you didn’t recognize. You take it out, throw it away and carefully check everything that was near it. What you find, a lot of times, is that that one bad fruit has had an effect on everything in the drawer. People can be a lot like that with their attitudes. I write about customer service and the importance of excellence and professionalism when dealing with customers. But what about our co-workers and generally …
Because remembering isn’t the only benefit of journaling while you travel When we travel, we take in a lot of everything all at once. Our outlook is different. The ordinary things we overlook at home are fascinating. Our senses exaggerate what we perceive in those daily items and rituals. This new perspective is great for our wellbeing and attitude. It’s why people travel to learn or vacation to take a break. We think differently when we aren’t home. But later, it’s hard to recall all of it –– the rooms you stayed in, the meals you ate, the people you met and the things you saw. Benjamin Disraeli, a nineteenth century novelist and British Prime Minister, famously said: “Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” Our minds have a funny way of embellishing details and leaving others out entirely. Journaling is a great way to help you remember your trip and share it with your friends and family. You can keep all the details and stories of your trip in one convenient place. This is one of the most obvious advantages of journaling, but there are some great benefits …
When you want to make a difference… just listen. Mother Teresa was a mere 5 feet tall and is known as one of the most humble people in the world, living her life with an attitude of complete joy toward serving others. And yet, Mother Teresa was an extremely powerful woman, changing lives worldwide. If I could choose anyone in the world to listen to me when I have a bad day or am contemplating some big decision in my life, I’m going to choose the person I think will be the best listener, of course. But what exactly does that mean? Listening requires humility, but humility can serve a very powerful role –– just think of Mother Teresa. If you can master the skill of listening, you can create change and influence where it otherwise may not happen. Good listening requires the ability to put the focus for the moment on someone else and take yourself out of the equation completely. Set aside your opinions, your advice, your preconceived notions, and your desire to talk about yourself… just listen. Our first inclination when someone comes to talk to us is to try to remedy their situation as quickly as …