While being a sales trainer for a diversity of lodging providers certainly keeps me in touch with what’s going on in the profession of hotel sales these days, I always capitalize on every opportunity to gain insights from real-world practitioners. One such opportunity recently presented itself when I caught up with Jennifer Daudi, Chief Executive Officer of Invigorate Hospitality, which offers remote sales support to a long and diverse list of hotels across virtually all major brands. Besides overseeing her team of expert salespeople, Jennifer herself has decades of experience in the hospitality industry and seems to truly love sales as much as I do. She was gracious enough to answer a few questions for me, and here are the highlights from our conversation.
The GDS: A High-Performing Distribution Channel Too Many Hotels Overlook
How important is it to list on the GDS? And how well does the GDS perform compared to other distribution channels? As a worldwide CRS, D-EDGE helps hotels develop their sales on all channels and knows that the GDS isn’t always used by hotels to its full potential.
Interview with Olivier Cohn, Managing Director at Best Western France
We’re excited to launch Hospitality’s Leading Voices, a new monthly series offering exclusive interviews where Philippe Roy, Founder of Red Yucca and new member of the upcoming HSMAI Europe France Advisory Board, engages with senior executives from the hotel and travel industry. Each edition brings you up close with leaders who are shaping the future, sharing their stories, and providing valuable takeaways for the industry.
Rotana partners with the Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches to Cultivate Local Talent for the Hospitality Industry in the UAE
Rotana, one of the leading hotel management company in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and Türkiye (MENAT), has announced a partnership with Abu Dhabi Hospitality Academy – Les Roches. Dedicated to hospitality education and training, the Academy has just enrolled its first batch of students for its inaugural intake on September 16th, marking a significant milestone of the hospitality education in the United Arab Emirates and in the region.
Why is Userguest the Best Tech Solution for Hotel Groups
Managing a hotel group involves the complex task of leveraging the unique features of each individual property while maintaining a cohesive strategy.
Beyond the ‘Crazy Rich’: Expedia Group Reveals Mass-Affluent Asian Travelers Trend Set To Boost Global Travel Industry
Expedia Group unveiled its study highlighting the preferences of the growing Asian middle class, expected to reach 3.5 billion people and make up two-thirds of the world’s middle class by 2030[1]. The study provides travel industry professionals with the context to better serve the increasing number of mass-affluent [2] (meaning middle-upper income) travelers from Asia and tailor offerings to their preferences. Conducted in partnership with Atomik Research, the study surveyed 4,000 respondents across Asia (China, India, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam).
Marriott International Resolves State Attorneys General and Federal Trade Commission Investigations into 2018 Starwood Database Security Incident
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR, “Marriott”) has reached final resolutions with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and 49 U.S. State Attorneys General and the District of Columbia in relation to the 2018 Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide guest reservations database security incident. The resolution with the State Attorneys General includes an agreement to pay $52 million. As indicated in the agreements with the FTC and the State Attorneys General, Marriott makes no admission of liability with respect to the underlying allegations.
Indigenous Tourism to Inject $67BN USD into Global Economy Says WTTC Report
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched a landmark report at its Global Summit in Perth, Western Australia, highlighting how Indigenous tourism is projected to contribute $67BN USD to the global economy by 2034.
How Flexibility Drives Profits In a Volatile World Today
Uncertainty about what lies ahead is a theme in every conference I attend and hospitality leader I’ve spoken with recently. Still, more potential exists today than ever for creativity in serving guests and driving business results. To illustrate this, I want to examine The Social Hub, originally launched as The Student Hotel in 2012. In my article earlier this year, How The Social Hub Uses Community to Thrive in Hospitality, we explored the company’s focus on community-building as a core strategic opportunity. For this article, I spoke with the company’s founder and CEO, Charlie MacGregor, about how their “hybrid hospitality” business model has made it socially engaging and financially resilient.
Should Your Hotel Cancel Cable TV?
A common question I get from my clients at OnlyCast is, “Can I cancel my hotel’s cable TV subscription?” With streaming platforms becomming increasingly popular and cable costs increasing, many hotel owners are rethinking the necessity of live channels. Guests are showing less interest in traditional TV, while hospitality casting solutions are becoming the preferred choice. The key question now is: What’s best for your hotel, your guests, and your bottom line?