Does social media make your head hurt? Here are a few helpful resources for hotels

Does social media make your head hurt? Here are a few helpful resources for hotels | By Daniel Edward Craig

Putting together a social media program is a daunting task. You're navigating uncharted territory, and it feels like everyone is watching. Fortunately, there are a few sharp people out there who have published some great online resources to guide you through the clutter. Some of them even understand the hotel business. Here are a few I've found to be particularly helpful.
But first, a tip: These sites link to other sites, which in turn link to even more sites. Resist the urge to click until you've gotten through the links on this page. Otherwise it'll suddenly be three days later and you'll be more confused than when you started.

U.S. hotel performance for 2009 by quarter (in year-over-year comparisons)

The U.S. hotel industry reported decreases in all three key performance metrics for fourth-quarter 2009 in year-over-year measurements, according to data from STR.
The industry’s occupancy dropped 4.4 percent to 50.6 percent, average daily rate fell 7.6 percent to US$95.79, and revenue per available room decreased 11.7 percent to US$48.50.

Hotel leaders project slow path to recovery

Group business was the driver of the horrendous year that the hotel industry experienced in 2009, and leaders on a general-session panel at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit don’t see any hope of a recovery until that same business returns.

“The biggest surprise for us was the unbelievable decline in group declines and cancellations,” said Ed Walter, president and CEO of Host Hotels & Resorts. “That’s one of the things we typically count on to prop up our performance.”

The Impact of Seller Financing Upon Hotel Values

Seller financing is becoming more prevalent in hotel real estate transactions. This analysis outlines contemporary thinking on seller financing while illustrating its impact on value in a hypothetical case study.

Slow recovery seen for U.S. hotel industry

It is a buyer's market for hotel rooms in the United States, and the situation is not likely to change soon.

Hotel occupancy rates have stabilized, but discounting of room prices remains rampant in many markets, indicating a slow recovery for the industry.

Control Bar Costs Part 1

In most restaurants that have bars, a well run bar will pull in a much higher profit margin then even the best run kitchen. Especially with a bar that serves wine by the glass, which has a much higher profit margin then even bottles if managed correctly

But on a cautionary note, you can also lose quite a bit of money on a bar if costs are not controlled properly.

3 Tips to Give Your Host Stand Some Personality

The host stand is the first thing your customers see when they enter your restaurant. That first impression can be an opportunity or a potential stumbling block, and no matter which way you impress your customers, the host sets the tone. It’s like any new relationship: every word and action takes on an importance unique to the situation. Just like a first date, your customer is wondering why they should trust you.





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