Tag Archives: hotels

Disney's ambitious, immersive experience of the starcruiser hotel teaches guest experience leaders lessons to balance immersion and profitability.

3 Lessons We Can Learn from the “Galactic Starcruiser” Debacle

Insights

From lightsaber training to exclusive storylines, the “Galactic Starcruiser” was marketed as a dream come true for Star Wars enthusiasts. Yet, less than two years after opening, the pricey-themed hotel experience shut its doors – its failure as a cautionary tale for cutting corners on the guest experience. When Disney announced its ambitious Star Wars resort, the buzz was electric. Promising an unparalleled immersive Star Wars experience, the project aimed to transport guests into a galaxy far, ...

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5-star Meliá Vinpearl Thanh Hoa Hotel, Vietnam - February 18, 2024: See the interior of the reception lobby of 5-star Meliá Vinpearl Thanh Hoa Hotel, Thanh Hoa City, Vietnam

3 Hotel Trends to Look Out for in 2025

Insights

As another year approaches, it’s time for hotels to update the art of the stay. According to Hotel Tech Report, one of the industry's biggest app stores and technology integration communities, digital tools, a younger workforce, and thoughtful accommodations tops next year’s hotel trends. Of course, technology is relied on for most things, from the smallest tasks, such as delivering snacks in automated vending machines, to the biggest lifts, like predicting revenue patterns and unexpected costs....

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Your Hotel Should Be Pet-Friendly: 3 Ways to Entice Pet Owners

Competitive Intelligence

Nearly 70 percent of American households have a furry friend, and 65.1 million Americans own a dog, Forbes reports. Most of them consider pets to be true members of the family. It’s no surprise that more people hope to bring their pets with them on vacation. Hotels are already starting to accommodate them, so you don’t want to be far behind. Seventy-eight percent of pet owners have acquired new family members recently, so Hilton wrote that hotels must be more welcoming towards pets. Those pet ow...

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7 Ways to Stay on Top of Hotel Maintenance

Guest Experience News

No hotel guest wants to walk down a dark hallway with burned-out light bulbs or enter an elevator that creaks and groans from floor to floor. Nor do they want to suffer with no air conditioning, heat, or hot water. Guests also assume that hotel maintenance has their safety in mind regarding electrical and HVAC systems. “The quality of hotel maintenance efforts can make or break the guest experience, so those involved with running properties must give this issue sufficient attention and allocate ...

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Miami, Florida, June 29 2021: Miami buildings and hotels. Streets of Miami. Streets photography. Urban life of Miami south beach. Vintage look at south beach hotels. Florida urban scenery.

New Study Reveals Florida Hotels Are Unexpectedly Sinking

Industry News

A recent study has uncovered alarming news for southeast Florida’s luxury real estate and hospitality industries: 35 high-end hotels, condos, and other buildings are sinking and settling at unexpected rates. The phenomenon, attributed to vibrations from nearby construction, according to research from the University of Miami, raises serious concerns about the future stability of these multimillion-dollar properties. Among the affected properties are some of the most iconic names in luxury living ...

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Professional Development for Your Hotel Employees

Leadership

It can be tempting to roll out the same program for all employees when it’s time for professional development, but the easy way is not always the best course of action for your company. Finding ways to challenge and enrich employees is a tall order, but it’s one that you can be forthright in if you do the right type of planning. GEM’s mission is to bring you the best advice for you and your team. We rounded up our three favorite professional development resources for hotel employees. 1. Offer ed...

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Panoramic view of the Cardiff Bay - Cardiff, Wales

Welsh Attractions Protest Proposed Tourism Tax

Guest Experience News,

In a move that showed their stance against the Welsh government’s proposed tourism tax, the Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) encouraged more than 100 of its affiliated attractions across Wales to shut their doors in protest. The coordinated closures, which took place on December 10, 2024, aimed to highlight the potential damage the tax could inflict on Wales’ struggling tourism sector. WAVA, a trade body representing a diverse range of visitor attractions from historic landmarks t...

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Rear view of affectionate couple enjoying summer vacation in glamping house.

Marriott Scoops Up Outdoor Lodging Brand

Industry News,

For the past century, Marriott has been one of the largest hotel chains in the world. Now, the hotel giant is entering the outdoor hospitality market. Marriott announced last week that it acquired Postcard Cabins, a hospitality brand that caters to nature and camping enthusiasts. The company brings its 1,200 "glamping" cabins to the Marriott brand. Postcard Cabins was founded in 2015 and provides an outdoor camping experience to guests located 2 miles from most major cities. "As guests are incre...

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Zurich, Switzerland - November 23, 2023: Christmas market in front of the opera house at the Sechselautenplatz square-Bellevue in Zurich at sunset

Travelers Plan to Spend More Money on Their Holiday Festivities This Year

Guest Experience News, , ,

After years of cutting back spending due to rising inflation, Americans are ready to open up their wallets for the holidays. Deloitte's 2024 Holiday Travel and Insights shows more than half of Americans (49%) plan to travel between now and the New Year. Their budgets have increased 4% from last year, with most planning to spend just under $3,300 on their trips. "Enthusiasm for holiday travel keeps climbing as travelers look to make the most of the season by visiting friends and family," says  Ka...

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Woman and her child holding presents and delivering them on car to home. Holidays concept. Time of Christmas Eve.

Winter Travel to Increase 10% During Holidays – Is Your Staff Prepared?

Guest Experience News, ,

Hoteliers and restaurateurs: expect big crowds over the next month. Online travel agency Expedia just released its “Winter Travel Outlook.” Data shows a 10% increase in holiday travelers from last year. Expedia’s findings are from flight data. The more flights booked, the more likely you can expect hotel bookings to increase. Here are the locations where business owners can expect the most holiday travelers:

2024 Winter Holiday travel trends Solo travelers and smaller crowds plan to travel more...

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