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Kim Haasarud

283 posts

Hospitality Sector Adapts to Economic Polarization with Tiered Experiences and Flexible Concepts

💸 In today's economy, businesses face a "barbell" shift toward luxury and affordability, with the middle struggling. Dining examples: JC Holdway offers $9 to $3,000 experiences; Momofuku spans $15 ramen to $180 tastings. Creative models like tiered menus and dual-concept spaces (e.g., Anacacho) are emerging. Premium spots like Century Grand in Phoenix offer unique experiences. Others, like Mercado La Paloma in LA, focus on community and accessibility. Operators must adapt with clarity and courage to survive.
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Hospitality Operators Must Adapt to Post-Pandemic Reality: Reevaluate Offerings and Embrace Cultural Shifts

📚 Hospitality operators relying on a return to pre-pandemic levels face challenges. Key strategies adopted include re-evaluating target audiences, menu innovation, community building, and adapting to evolving consumer behaviors. Generational shifts, non-alcoholic options, and health-driven trends are pivotal. The Stockdale Paradox emphasizes success through facing reality while maintaining belief in success. As seen post-Prohibition, cultural shifts in consumption are long-term. The industry's future favors adaptability over optimism.
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  • 6 min

Storey Hotel Management Boosts Direct Bookings by 50% Using Email Microsegmentation and Timely Campaigns

📧 Jonathan Holcomb, VP at Storey Hotel Management Group, shared strategies to combat email fatigue affecting hotel marketing. In the Bay Area, Chicago, Anguilla, and Fiji, his team uses email microsegmentation, leveraging a CRM to create over 50 targeted marketing journeys. This approach personalizes emails based on guest data, improving open rates and conversions. Timing is crucial; effective campaigns involve sending emails at strategic intervals, considering guest context to maximize engagement and reduce cart abandonment.
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Top Web Design Trends That Emerged in 2025

💻 In 2025, web design evolved towards user experience and sustainability. Dynamic color systems adapted to lighting, while motion-driven interfaces prioritized subtlety over flashiness. AI tools aided design but required human judgment for nuanced results. Asymmetry became purposeful, and minimalism focused on essential functionality. Organic shapes added warmth, and sustainability influenced UX by reducing digital impacts. These trends emphasized thoughtful, responsible design, enhancing both user satisfaction and business performance.
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  • 7 min

Leading North American Hotel Wellness with Marriott’s Suzanne Holbrook

💪 Suzanne Holbrook, Marriott's Head of Global Spa, Fitness, and Wellness, is revolutionizing hotel wellness globally with innovative technologies. By 2030, the global spa industry is forecasted to grow from $95 billion in 2021 to over $185 billion. At The Ritz-Carlton Spa, Amelia Island, services like TheraLight 360 and Mind Sync Mediation offer advanced wellness experiences. The JW Marriott Parq Vancouver's Serene Escape Package includes multisensory treatments, reflecting a shift towards results-driven wellness beyond traditional spa offerings.
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Airbnb's Structural Challenge: Enhancing Guest Experience by Managing Its Own Properties

📰 Airbnb's Milan Olympics video featuring the Jamaican bobsleigh team highlights a brand paradox; their impeccable branding contrasts the frequent complaints about their stays, as they lack control over the guest experience. Airbnb might need to manage their own properties to assure quality. Meanwhile, Monologue by Every introduces a voice-to-text app enhancing mobility for hotel GMs, emphasizing either AI-driven automation or augmentation. Rising surveillance in hospitality, like Meta glasses, threatens staff privacy but could preserve vital operational knowledge.
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Diamond Oaks Ranch

🌲 In Ledbetter, Texas, Diamond Oaks Ranch offers family fun with activities like a swimming pool, arcade, and baseball fields for youth tournaments. Adults can enjoy the beer garden and live music. They've upgraded to the cloud-based WebRezPro Property Management System to enhance guest experiences.
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195 – 2026 Hotel Equities Leadership Conference (Pt. 1)

🏨 Last week, the 2026 Hotel Equities Leadership Conference in Las Vegas attracted nearly 1,000 attendees. Greg O'Steen, Chief Development Officer, discussed strategic growth in diverse markets, including the Caribbean and Latin America. With a focus on luxury and upscale hotels, commercial strategies emphasized collaboration across sales, revenue, and marketing. Becky Vealey, SVP of Sales, highlighted the importance of tailored commercial strategies. Attendees explored growth opportunities despite challenges like rising costs and economic pressures.
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How to Automate Campground Operations and Boost Bookings

🏕️ Automating campground operations can significantly enhance efficiency and bookings. Campground management software streamlines tasks such as reservations, invoicing, and guest communications. By reducing manual labor, campground operators can focus on providing better guest experiences and managing resources effectively. The use of such software is becoming essential for modern campgrounds to meet increasing guest expectations and industry standards.
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