Guest Contributor - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 2

3 min

Bottoms up: How a smart beverage program enhances the experience economy

🍸 U.S. tequila consumption dominates globally at 69%, with a 40% sales increase since the pandemic, driven by premiumization. Small-batch tequila offers hotels a chance to boost beverage programs with authentic, sustainable practices like waste minimization and agave byproduct usage. Crafting cocktails with such spirits allows premium pricing. Staff education on tequila production enhances guest experiences, creating lasting impressions and aligning with eco-friendly values. This approach emphasizes care and storytelling, elevating guest satisfaction.

4 min

Why the guest experience breaks before reaching the guest—and how to fix it

🏨 Guest experience in the hospitality industry is impacted by employee engagement and systemic factors. Gallup’s research highlights that organizations with high employee engagement see stronger profitability. The World Health Organization identifies burnout as a result of chronic workplace stress, affecting service quality and revenue opportunities. Cornell University research shows improved online reputation enhances revenue metrics like RevPAR. Effective team development must consider cognitive and emotional loads, ensuring systems support staff wellbeing for consistent guest experiences.

5 min

Great service in hospitality isn’t enough anymore. This is what guests want.

🛌 Hospitality is evolving beyond efficiency to prioritize human experiences. Lean staffing exposes flaws in operations, revealing that strong communication and leadership are crucial. Guests seek consistency in emotional experiences, not just mechanical precision. Leadership's role is evolving, focusing on emotional intelligence and sustainable practices. Hospitality isn't losing relevance; it's returning to fundamentals, highlighting presence over process. Consistency and connection in service foster guest loyalty and satisfaction. Presence is becoming the new luxury in hospitality.

3 min

How AI and smarter hospitality tech help hotels capture APAC’s travel boom

🛬 During the past holiday season, APAC hotels faced strong travel demand. Despite 86% satisfaction, only 37% of travelers rebooked, but 73% would if experiences were personalized. AI and integrated tech help hotels enhance personalization and efficiency. 68% of guests are willing to pay more for tailored stays. AI systems optimize guest profiles, predictive maintenance, and dynamic pricing. Mobile bookings exceed half of OTA reservations, enhancing digital journeys and guest loyalty.

3 min

Heritage that lasts: How historic hotels are turning legacy into loyalty

🏨 The Tiger Hotel, a landmark since 1928 in Columbia, MO, is revamping its legacy to attract modern visitors. Originally Columbia's first skyscraper, it's part of a trend where historical hotels leverage heritage for brand loyalty. Partnered with Glenn’s Café, established in 1943, these institutions maintain local traditions while integrating technology and sustainability. By joining a global soft brand, they balance operational independence with modern amenities, preserving authenticity and fostering community connections.

5 min

Owning Aman: Canyon equity homes in on über high-end living

🏠 Canyon Equity LLC, led by CEO Robert Hee, unveiled Aman Residences, Amangiri, in Canyon Point, Utah, in December. The development includes 12 luxury homes set on 900 acres near the Colorado Plateau. Each home, designed by Masastudio, features four to eight bedrooms across five to 19 acres. Amangiri, a 34-suite resort, opened in 2009. Canyon Equity also owns the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado in Santa Fe and the Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort in Fiji.

7 min

Land of rising hospitality: Hotels rethink the spirit of Japan

🗺️ Japan, 2025: Over 40 million tourists visited, driven by favorable exchange rates and government policies. The JW Marriott Tokyo opened a 200-room hotel in October, featuring a Zen-inspired design and wellness amenities. Park Hyatt Tokyo reopened in December after renovations. The Ryokan Collection, founded in 2004, expanded to 53 properties, emphasizing authentic experiences. IHG expanded its Japan presence with 20 new properties, including luxury and midscale hotels, preparing for the World Expo. Japan's tourism and hospitality sectors are thriving.

5 min

How Brad Brewer of Agentic Hospitality is squaring off against the forces trying to redefine digital search

📈 Y2K didn't disrupt travel booking, but hoteliers struggled against online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia and Booking.com for two decades. Brad Brewer, founder of Brewer Digital Marketing, aims to change this by connecting hotels directly to AI platforms such as ChatGPT. His TravelOS MCP system allows hotels to bypass intermediaries, paying a flat fee instead of commissions. Brewer advocates for hotel independence, data ownership, and fair competition in the AI-driven marketplace.

3 min

Hospitality careers in the AI economy: Why people will still matter most

🤖 By 2033, the U.S. anticipates 1 in 8 jobs will be in hospitality, up from 1 in 25, equating to a 15% annual growth. Salaries will average around $40,000 by 2026. AI will enhance recruitment, improve work environments, and create tech-enhanced roles, boosting employee attraction and retention. AI tools offer instant recruitment feedback and predictive analytics, emphasizing tech integration. Hospitality roles will shift to human-AI partnerships, focusing on meaningful guest experiences.

3 min

Generic luxury in hospitality has come to an end. Here’s what’s coming next.

🏨 MacArthur Place in Sonoma provides an experience tailored for Northern California’s elite tech class, focusing on ecological sensitivity and low-gloss intimacy. DeBruce in upstate New York caters to a rural creative class with a back-to-the-land ethos and a James Beard-recognized food program. The shift in luxury targets subcultures, moving from mass-market chains to culturally specific boutique hotels, emphasizing hyper-personalization and unbranded exclusivity for a unique guest experience.

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