LE Announces Its Forecast for New Hotel Openings for 2012

For the first time, Lodging Econometrics (LE) is releasing its Forecast for New Hotel Openings for 2012, with 671 hotels/64,938 rooms projected to come online, a rate nearly level to that forecasted for 2011. LE has also made minor revisions to its Forecast for 2010 and 2011, with a year-end total of 705 hotels/79,701 rooms opening in 2010 and 673 hotels/64,959 rooms in 2011. ...more

Global Hospitality Advisor: National Implications of the July 2010 Atlas Hospitality Group Distressed Hotels Survey

Hotel Lawyer with the latest information on hotel loan defaults, foreclosures, forebearances and distressed sales in California from the Atlas Hospitality Group. ...more

STR Global Reports Europe Pipeline June 2010

The Europe hotel development pipeline comprises 670 hotels totalling 117,024 rooms, according to the June 2010 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. The region reported 310 projects in the In Construction phase with 57,809 rooms. ...more

STR Global Reports Asia/Pacific Hotel Pipeline for June 2010

The Asia/Pacific hotel development pipeline comprises 1,007 hotels totalling 252,969 rooms, according to the June 2010 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Middle East/Africa Hotel Pipeline for June 2010

The Middle East/Africa hotel development pipeline comprises 455 hotels totalling 126,310 rooms, according to the June 2010 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Central/South America Hotel Pipeline for June 2010

The Central/South America hotel development pipeline comprises 133 hotels totalling 21,222 rooms, according to the June 2010 STR Global Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

STR Global Reports Caribbean/Mexico Hotel Pipeline for June 2010

The Caribbean/Mexico hotel development pipeline comprises 133 hotels totaling 17,250 rooms, according to the June 2010 STR/TWR/Dodge Construction Pipeline Report released this week. ...more

Leadership Characteristics - A Shift In Requirements? - By Bryn Meredith

For the past 20 years, a piece of work often quoted in relation to the required Characteristics of Admired Leaders has been The Leadership Challenge. First released in 1987 by Kouzes and Posner, the book has become one of the best selling leadership books of all time. ...more

Featured Study in Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Examines Attitudes Toward 'Green' Restaurants

Consumer Knowledge Increases Willingness to Patronize Sustainable Restaurants ...more

Restaurant Equipment Leasing Tips

Restaurant equipment leasing is a viable alternative to buying equipment outright. However, there are a few important tips to consider before going this route. ...more

How Much Do Restaurant Consultants Get Paid?

Restaurant consultants get hired on for a variety of reasons and get paid a wide range of fees, from per diem to per project. ...more

How to Choose A Name For A Restaurant

What’s in a name? Everything – at least when it comes to choosing a name for your restaurant. ...more

Sixty-Five Percent Increase in Menu Items With 'Healthy' Claim Added to Restaurant Menus, Reports Mintel

Last month's recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) confirmed what Mintel's research and consumers have already been suggesting: restaurants need healthier menus. ...more

Technomic Sees A Rebound in 2010 Alcohol Sales

Citing a positive sales trend from restaurants and bars, Technomic has revised its forecast for sales of beverage alcohol sold away from home upward. Technomic now expects beverage alcohol sold in bars, restaurants and other on-premise establishments to grow by 1.1 percent this year, up from the decline of 2.5 percent forecasted at the end of 2009. ...more

Food & Beverage - How to Seize Media Opportunities & Not Miss the Boat - By Ken Burgin

If the media ring, what will you do? A journalist wants your comment on food or staff trends. A TV story is being done on your area - how can you use it? After watching two local businessses recently miss golden opportunities, let's have you 'media smart' and grabbing every opportunity ...more

Restaurant Trends - Growing And Emerging Concepts - Data Reflects Change and Activity from March 12, 2010 to July 12, 2010

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts ...more

How To Save A Failing Restaurant

Restaurants fail left and right, especially in the first year – but some careful planning and thoughtful consideration can turn things around. ...more

How to Write a Business Plan for a Restaurant

Learning how to write a business plan isn’t easy, but any prospective restaurant owner can get started with these simple and straightforward tips. ...more

Consumers Continue to Be Frustrated by Poor Customer Service Across Travel Websites

The latest eTravel Benchmark study from eDigitalResearch reveals that online travel websites are still failing to deliver adequate customer service. 43 out of the 47 websites reviewed have been affected by 'satisfactory', 'poor' or 'very poor' customer service scores, with the airlines sector failing to answer over 51% of all email queries. ...more

Websites Have Become Far Too Complicated

IN-DEPTH: Interview with Matthew Petitjean, director of e-commerce and online marketing, Wyndham Hotel Group ...more

SEO – Start With Keywords

VEM Global’s SEO expertise can help you sell your availability. ...more

Guest Satisfaction - June 2010 Chatter Guard Benchmark Report Is Released

Lodging Interactive, a leading interactive marketing agency servicing the hospitality industry and the publisher of the free Chatter Guard Monthly Benchmark Monitor Report has released its June 2010 report. ...more

How Does the Dynamic Code Work?

If you are an advertiser with VEM GlobalTM and have an ad on ResortsandLodges.com, MoreContractors.com, or HotelsorMotels.com, you have likely heard of our dynamically tracking phone code. This code is easy to install, does not interfere with your website’s functionality and it can help you capture the full effectiveness of your VEM Global campaign! It is sent out by our client services team and they are more than happy to help you understand it over the phone or via email. ...more

Keys to Success - Train The Trainer: Effectively Reaching Today’s Adult Learners - By John Hogan

While the US unemployment rate dipped to 9.5 percent in June 2010 (the lowest level since July 2009 compared to 9.7 percent in May 2010), the report showed 125,000 jobs were lost during the month, driven by the end of temporary census positions. The June figures estimated private sector job creation was 83,000 , marking the sixth-straight month of job growth among private firms, but government and financial market expectations. ...more

Mastering Your Telephone Sales Mystery Shopping Programt - By Doug Kennedy

With most hotels and call centers seeing an increase in inquiry calls as demand rebounds in markets, it is more important than ever for your frontline sales representatives to maximize their call conversions and total revenue sold vs. goal. Depending on the type of lodging operation or call center, and of course your targeted market segments, this might include group sales managers, reservations agents, or even front desk staff. ...more

STR Reports US Hotel Performance for the Week Ending July 17 - 2010

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy increased 7.3 percent to 71.0 percent. Average daily rate rose 1.6 percent to US$99.07 Revenue per available room went up 9.0 percent to US$70.30. ...more

STR Reports Canada Performance for Week Ending 17 July 2010

In year-over-year measurements, the Canadian hotel industry’s occupancy increased 6.6 percent to 72.8 percent. Average daily rate ended the week up 3.1 percent to CAD$132.42. Revenue per available room for the week rose 9.9 percent to CAD$96.39. ...more

BP Oil Spill Impact on Gulf Travel Likely to Last 3 Years and Cost 22.7 Billion

BP Oil Spill Impact on Gulf Travel Likely to Last 3 Years and Cost 22.7 Billion - U.S. Travel Outlines 'Roadmap to Recovery,' Calls for $500 Million Marketing Campaign to Save Jobs ...more

Canadian Occupancy, ADR, RevPAR - Week Ending July 17th, 2010

Published in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes weekly occupancy and average room rates from major cities in Canada. ...more

Hotel Industry Indicator Business Expansion Probability Remains 100 Percent

The Hotel Industry Pulse Index went up 2.2 percent during June after edging up 0.4 percent during May, according to economic research firm e-forecasting.com in conjunction with STR. ...more

STR Reports U.S. First-half 2010 Results

The industry’s occupancy was up 4.4 percent to 56.4 percent, average daily rate fell 2.0 percent to US$97.18, and revenue per available room increased 2.3 percent to US$54.80. ...more

STR Reports US Hotel Performance for June 2010

In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy was up 6.9 percent to 65.0 percent. Average daily rate ended the month with a 1.0-percent increase to US$98.33. Revenue per available room for the month rose 8.0 percent to finish at US$63.87. ...more

Jimmy Buffett Benefit Concert Paradise for Hoteliers and Tourists

Hoteliers Surveyed Show High Rates of Room Occupancy, Optimism for Future Concerts ...more

Meetings Stigma Impacts Conference Centers

Fall Off In Revenues and Profits Exceeds Transient Hotels According to Latest Colliers PKF Consulting USA Report ...more

2010 FIFA World Cup - South African Hotel Performance

The 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa ended 11 July with Spain crowned as the new champion, but which hotel market came out on top? ...more

Canadian Occupancy, ADR, RevPAR - Week Ending July 10th, 2010

Published in conjunction with STR (Smith Travel Research) and endorsed by the Hotel Association of Canada. This publication summarizes weekly occupancy and average room rates from major cities in Canada. ...more

European Tourism in 2010 - Trends & Prospects (Q2/2010)

Europe is experiencing a recovery in travel from its low points last year. However, this recovery is unlike like past rebounds. Early data for this year show mixed results, with nearly as many countries posting visitor declines as increases. Still, industry data for aviation, lodging, and expectations show we are on an upward, though modest, path to recovery. ...more

STR Reports US Hotel Performance for the Week Ending July 10 - 2010

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy increased 3.9 percent to 62.5 percent. Average daily rate rose 0.4 percent to US$94.69. Revenue per available room jumped 4.3 percent to US$59.17. ...more

Paid Media: The Choice of Last Resort

In the old days, paid media – broadcast television, radio and print – was the way to get your strategic message out to a large audience. Most of your spend went to these mass media, and even though only a small percentage of the large consumer base responded, it was enough to fill your hotel or create long lines at the gates. The idea of investing in owned media was an afterthought, typically funded with the spare change left from the mass media buy. This model simply isn’t working anymore. ...more

3 Changes We Will See In Hotel Marketing In 2011 - By Neil Salerno

In the last two years, the economy has taken a severe toll on our industry and its resources. In the resulting scramble to stay afloat, many hotels turned to every marketing and operational technique they could uncover. Some of those techniques helped, some didn't. Many hoteliers searched for that one unique tactic which would turn everything around; only to find that it doesn't exist. ...more

Deloitte Says Global Aerospace and Defense Sector Continues to Show Resilience

Despite the downward pressure on defense spending and relatively slow sales in the commercial aircraft and business jet segments, the global aerospace and defense (A&D) industry has continued to show resilience in 2010, according to a new study released today by the Deloitte Global Manufacturing Industry Group. ...more

'Snooping' in Hotel Rooms – is Nothing Sacred? By John Hendrie

Perhaps, I have watched too many movies, awed by the sophistication of the CIA, FBI and other countries’ darker organizations, gathering information and compromising situations to be used for advantage. ...more

Driving Demand in a Recovering Market

Video Interview with Richard Wiegmann on the State of the Travel Industry and What Hoteliers can do to Prepare for the Upturn. ...more

Social Media Gaining Popularity with Corporate Travel Professionals

New Survey Reveals Half of Travel Management Professionals Use Social Media to Support Programs in Some Way Today ...more