THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY AND THE IMPACT OF AI

Customer satisfaction is like the grinding stone beam in the hospitality industry because it crushes the problems as they seek out fast answers. As the vibrant shift and advances of the times may be the rehashed technology or the lull hanging around a corner. AI can be defined as the technology of the future, more modern than any other technological invention that we have seen in the hospitality industry with this technology turning everything upside down.

George Dfouni breaks it down into these segments:

Streamlined Operations

 Just as booming hotels are based on skilled processes which are the driving force, so is in skateboarding. AI is just coming in and improving the processes (which were outdated) to a tune, starting with reservation management and cleaning way back. The sophisticated algorithms recent design's view automating the trend-based data, the rates include occupancy of the rooms on one side and also prices on the other side. AI-borne chatbots that can do the same task at a larger scale of degree as their humans' overnight workers’ equivalent and extend the satisfaction level of customer service provided for the current guests as a result.

Personalized Guest Experience

Personalization remains tantamount in the fight of collecting faithful guests in the age of virtually perpetually linked up world. AI assist hotels making unforgettable experiences tailored to personal preferences of every traveler. To give an example, there are from hotel room amenities to dining recommendations. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can analyze guests' data, behavior, and predict needs in order to give personal services and make their guests who see more of our services view a returns visit.

Enhanced Safety and Security

Protecting the health of tourists becomes a matter of priority for the tourism sector, and this should additionally include the safety and the security. AI-assisted observation is on close track, after through application of face scan and self-learning behavioral analysis that makes threat preventable. The cameras that are placed in public areas and at customer's point of interaction during their stay are monitored all the time. They provide an additional workplace safety option and thus a lower risk of their quality of services to be compromised.

 Efficient Staff Management

Best approach in the labor management is just the corporate creed for the provision of the high class of customer experience. The predictive, AI-aided planning systems reduce the number of manual hours, facilitate-people capitalization, and conduct precise team coverage sufficient for key hours with continuous monitoring. Thus, AI systems for the most part is able to supervise workers' job performance and deliver developmental information for the organizational side of the coin.

 Predictive Maintenance

Utilizing property taxes appropriately is crucial for the achievement of the operational goals and client satisfaction. Periodic checks will no longer be needed as AI- enabled predictive-maintenance systems will always be monitoring infrastructures and equipment in real time and detecting any potential problem before it escalates into downtime. By analyzing the maintenance program uses the data from sensors and the historical maintenance records, therefore the managers optimize the maintenance schedule which increases the longevity and reduces the whole costs of upkeep.

 Hyper-Personalized Marketing

In the digital world marketing to the right target group has become the key when it comes to advertisement. AI- driven marketing places carry out vast amounts of data examinations to regroup the customers into groups showing their preferences and behavior. Customized offers and low-price campaigns are the key to interaction of the guests at a more intense level which will, in turn, increase the number of conversions and build hotel’s image. 

Seamless Guest Feedback

Feedback is an in-exam-table asset to improve service standards and guest contentment. AI-based feedback systems extract and analyze retailer feedback from multiple channels, giving operators remarkable results instantly. Sentiments can make an aggregation of negative or positive information, hotels as such can resolve issues that satisfies guests and is very satisfactory to them.

Challenges and Considerations

While the pluses to AI in hospitality are inconceivable, there are present challenges to its implementation. Concerns like information security and staff training, along with the difficulty in implementation into other systems, are some of the tall obstacles that hotels need to climb. It is important to note, that in automation human touch need be neither entirely lost, nor entirely replaced by new emerging technologies.

 George Dfouni concludes: To observe that the advancement of AI technology isn’t only unlimited but their application in the hospitality industry can also be very imaginative. The hospitality concept will entail for predictive analytics to a virtual concierge service in the future, innovation, and adaptation will include for this. Through AI-powered innovations, hotels are equipped to make numerous improvements in customer service to front-line managers. This enables the hotels to not to follow, but to stay ahead of other hotels as far as the customers' experiences are concerned. AI is changing the hospitality industry current infrastructure by simplifying room reservation process, and personifying guests’ experience, and providing them with the protection. Even amidst least difficulties, cost effective customer-centricity of hospitality market can be managed and therefore will establish smooth running in the future.

Facing Adversities in Life and Achieving Success

Facing Adversities in Life and Achieving Success

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, challenges, and triumphs. It is a rollercoaster ride where adversity often plays a significant role in shaping who we become. Adversities, whether they are personal, professional, or circumstantial, are inevitable. They test our resilience, determination, and ability to adapt. However, it is not the adversity itself that defines us but rather how we respond to it. Through determination, perseverance, and a growth mindset, individuals can transform adversity into a stepping stone towards success.

Adversity comes in various forms and can strike at any time. It might be the loss of a loved one, a debilitating illness, financial hardships, failure in one's career, or any other unexpected life challenge. These adversities can be emotionally, physically, and mentally taxing. However, it is essential to understand that adversity is a universal human experience. No one is immune to it, and it is not a sign of weakness. In fact, it is often through adversity that individuals discover their inner strength and resilience.

Support systems are also crucial when facing adversity. Whether it's friends, family, mentors, or support groups, having a network of people who can provide emotional and practical support can make a significant difference. It's important to lean on these connections during tough times, as they can offer guidance, encouragement, and a listening ear.

Persistence is perhaps the most critical factor in turning adversity into success. It's easy to become disheartened when faced with repeated setbacks, but those who persist despite adversity are the ones who often achieve greatness. Persistence involves setting clear goals, breaking them down into manageable steps, and consistently working towards them.

In conclusion, facing adversities in life is an inevitable part of the human experience. Adversities can take many forms and can be emotionally, physically, and mentally challenging. However, it is not the adversity itself that defines us but how we respond to it. By accepting adversity, maintaining a positive mindset, developing resilience, seeking support, and persisting in the face of setbacks, individuals can transform adversity into a stepping stone towards success.

Throughout history, countless individuals have demonstrated the power of determination, resilience, and persistence in the face of adversity. Their stories serve as inspiration for us all, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, success is possible. As we navigate our own journeys, let us remember that adversity is not the end but a turning point on the path to greatness.

Hotel Brand?? hmmm

If Hermes opened a hotel, I think we would be able to guess accurately what it would be like. If Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, or Intercontinental Hotel Group came out with a bag we’d have no clue because they simply don’t have a brand, they are simply a good piece of real estate with a logo. If I swapped the signage on a hotel at that price point you couldn’t tell if you were in a Marriott, if you were in a Hilton, or Hyatt, the lobby, the hallway, the room, I don’t know where I am. No brand.

What it means to have a brand is you’ve made a promise to people. They have expectations. If that is distinct you’ve earned something. If it’s not distinct, let’s admit, you make a commodity and you’re trying to charge just a little bit extra for peace of mind. The problem that these hotels have is sort by price. If I go online now to find a hotel it’s simple, sort by price. Why would I pay $200 extra to go a block or two away? I don’t.

The value of a brand is how much extra am I paying above the substitute. If I’m not paying extra, you don’t have a brand. When we think about what brands ought to do to move forward, the most important thing is to not worry about your slogan or your logo., it’s to worry about the substance, product and service that matters for people who care. Find the people who care, the smallest viable group you can live with, and figure out how to give them a product and service that matters.

My boutique hotel might charge double what other hotels might charge, for less. But it’s only less by their measure. It’s way more by the measure of someone who cares about the product, service, and value and how hip it feels to walk into our bar. They’re not investing in a room with like three power outlets or an unhealthy breakfast, they’re investing in throwing a party in a place where you also can sleep while you’re on the road, a place to be seen at, a place that employ people that will make you feel special.

My hotels and others few like it have a brand and this is the reason some people pay extra for.

Hotel Revenue Management: How can you increase the revenue of a Hotel?

Hotel revenue management is an important part of this business industry, as adjusting the prices according to the guest pattern is the core part of this business because optimal price rates mean more customers which will cause a raging increase in the business profits.  

But the thing that makes revenue plan more successful is to have full information, good planning tips but more importantly, the revenue strategies play the main part because it makes you more clear-minded and concentrated. Following are the best and profitable hotel revenue management strategies that can make your hotel business shine. Following are some of the best and profitable hotel revenue management strategies that you can adopt for effective outcomes for the hotel.

What is exactly is Hotel Revenue Management? 

Revenue management is a very important subject in hotel management as it acts as a profitable strategy for the economic status of the hotel. The whole revenue management discussion can be shortly summarized by this famous quote that is “All a revenue manager needs to accomplish is to sell the right room to the right person at the right time and price through the most suitable platform”. 

In even simpler words, revenue management is a procedure through which you introduce the best and preferable price rates according to the requirements of the customers so that they can make the most sales and profits. The best way to put together your revenue strategy is by going through the data analytics, customer performance, older price distribution so that the hotel management team can come with better prices and ideas which will help you maximize the revenue and hotel business.  

Also, the revenue strategy does not depend upon one kind of customer, you have to plan it by keeping that a larger community with different values will approach your hotel and you have to make them convince of the revenue strategy.  

Hotel Revenue Management Strategies

Here are the best hotel revenue management strategies that can benefit you for the best and optimal results and statistics: 

·      Proper communication means: 

Communication is essential when you are in a business where the core part is people reviews and demands so, having a messaging box is very necessary that should be open all the time so that people can engage with you without any kind of distribution or interruption. This revenue strategy helps the customer to get every kind of detail on the new and updated strategy so that they can experience it.  

·      Targeting strategy: 

Targeting the audience is a very well-known revenue strategy as it helps you to get to know what type of guests you are going to have and to deal with so that you can develop the revenue management plan according to guest requirements so that you can have a better result in sells and profits of the hotel business. 

·      Do direct bookings

The direct booking strategy is one of the successful ones as it assists you to deal with the customer's hand to hand rather than a third party like an OTG platform because they keep a commission and also it not let you stand alone as you always have to be dependent. So, when the customer does direct bookings via your hotel website, it helps you with better profits and response.  

·      Programs to increase repeat guest arrivals: 

Loyalty programs are a thing that hotel owners take very lightly, but it can be a very good reason for a successful revenue management plan as it enables you to make gestures for the guests like customizing gifts, sales, discounts, special entrance drinks, etc. it makes the guest happy and satisfied with your hotel services.  

This strategy makes the old guest and also the new ones come again and again after seeing such good and sentimental loyalty programs.  

·      Active hotel websites: 

Nowadays, people are more active on their smartphones rather than checking paper or even tv so, it is best for the hotel to have an online website where they can showcase their hotel, the revenue plan, and the services they provide so that people can interact with them. This hotel management strategic plan helps you to engage with the customers globally and locally which will increase the hotel revenue even more and the customers also have every information about your hotel which enables them to trust you and choose your hotel.  

·      Develop an online reputation: 

Having an online reputation is very significant nowadays, as we all know how today’s world work today, we do everything online, likewise, most people now do the online booking as it is convenient and they can get all the information regarding the hotel services and offers through reviews and websites. 

So, having a good online reputation is very important, make your old customers give reviews and ratings about their experience, etc. so that the new customer can make their decision easily which will affect the success of the hotel revenue management plan as well.   

·      Work in cooperation with other departments: 

It is important to involve other departments such as sales and marketing, art team, etc. so that everyone can corporate in developing the hotel revenue so that it can be suitable to all and the whole hotel staff teams can be agreed on the revenue. This strategy helps you to gather more ideas from the hotel staff through various perspectives which can be helpful throughout the revenue procedure. 

·      Do a calendar checkout: 

Do a calendar checkout means to know about all the events and festivals that are coming, also that events related to other areas and countries so that you can develop the revenue strategy revolving around those specific dates so that you can able to attract more travelers and visitors that time around.  

·      Pay attention to reviews: 

Reviews are very important for a good hotel image and the customer usually lookout for the reviews before doing bookings as they want to know what other people have to say about your hotel management services so it is important to get reviews from your previous customers and also pay more attention towards them which can result in more hotel room sells and optimized revenue.  

·      Include local business partnerships: 

This is also a very unnoticeable strategic plan but it is very effective in having a more enhanced revenue management plan as to when you include or do partnerships with local businesses like tour guides or amusement park owners, you can offer discounts on the tickets which can get the attention from the customers which will directly have a positive impact on the revenue plan.  

·      Do SEO optimization: 

Search engine optimization plays an important role in almost everything nowadays, because people are more aware of what is happening online rather than physical and SEO is a technique that is making the work easy for brands and businesses to stand out so that people can approach them and use their services. 

So, your online hotel website must be fully SEO optimized which will result in more traffic and customers to reach your revenue strategy and help you to increase the hotel earnings.  

·      Competitor Analysis:

It is very important to do a competitor rate analysis as it helps you to check what other hotel owners are offering so that you can develop such rates that are attracting the right customers and succeed in earning the best revenue. You can update the rates chart by what the competitors are offering which will create a clear image of what to add and what to avoid in your hotel revenue management plan.  

·      Understand the value market: 

The most important thing about revenue management strategy is the price value because it is all the matters. After all, the customer is only going to judge your whole hotel service depending upon the price you offer. So, be good with knowing the value market and also to develop in regards of that so that you can offer the best of the best to your customers. 

Why Revenue Management is Significant in the Hotel Industry? 

Revenue management sets the core for profitable business plan for the hotel which means it is very important for the hospitality industry to have and to acquire as; 

·      Through revenue management, you can manage the selling costs as in, you can calculate them according to the demand and related factors like season time, the number of travelers, etc. and can lower them when the demand is low. That is how the hotel resources and staff will be optimal used when there is the proper need not when the things are not required. 

·      The best thing about this specific management scheme is that it helps the hotel owner and team to understand what their customer demands and wants rather than just anticipating and thinking on their own. The customers appreciate the hotel service, even more, when they know that they take their requirements seriously and put them to actual work. 

·      Revenue management enhances the hotel branding, it not only assists you to get the best pricing rates for the property but also makes sure that the maximum RevPAR for the hotel.  

·      When you have revenue management that is formulated by going through all the details very preciously like previous data analysis, customer preferences and reviews, season time, etc. You can have a revenue plan that will not help you with the best business but also win against the competitors which are important when you are in such an industry where the competition is always at high stake.  

·      You can also extend your business when you know that the revenue strategy is going well and the profits are high. 

Tips to Enhance your Hotel Revenue Management Strategy: 

Here are some tips that will help you to optimize the hotel revenue management strategy for effective and efficient outcomes: 

·      Accumulate the right data: 

Data collection is the most important step in developing revenue management as it helps you to calculate the price rates and strategic plans but the common mistake that most hotel owners do is collecting more information than needed, so they end up with a messed-up revenue plan. So, it is best to focus on the right data that will assist you to have the right revenue and right demands.  

·      Do mapping and location research: 

When you develop a revenue strategy, studying mapping and forecasting is a need as it further helps you to have a perfect plan that will attract the desired guests and customers for your hotel. It also gives you an idea about the traveler's perspective from where they are coming and what they want where they are going to stay, so it depends upon the information regarding the locations and mapping. 

·      Embrace pricing strategies: 

Pricing is the major part of revenue so having a proper strategy about it is very much required. So, try to embrace the pricing strategies as much as you can and formulate such strategies that are easy to manage according to what the customer wants and has to offer.  

·      Focus on the distributing channels: 

Having a good revenue strategy is not enough until people are not well aware of it and it is obvious if they do not know about it, then how they will reach out to you. So, focus on the disturbing channels like having a proper hotel website and various channels like online accounts on various sites so that people can know what you are offering and how they can reach you.  

·      Learning about the market: 

You cannot develop a revenue management plan unless you study the market so that you can know what the rates that are going around are and how the customers are reacting to it. So, a revenue plan with potential can only be formulated after doing full homework about what is going in the market at present.  

The Bottom Line

Hotel revenue management is a new technique or strategy that is being very profitable for the hotel industry which is proven by the higher statistic rates and improved selling profits. With this evolving world, the booking patterns and guest demands are changing every moment, so strong and valuable revenue management will make your hotel business more enhanced and successful.  

This management strategy is not anymore just a basic plan for the hotel but now it is imperative and crucial to have for optimum financial benefits and improved hotel reputation. This hospitality industry is getting bigger day by day so, having revenue management will surely make you stand out in the crowd.  

How to Be a Successful Leader

As we gain experience, build businesses, and earn responsibilities, we have no choice but to increase our leadership skills. Every organization needs a leader to direct the charge for successful execution. But how can you be a good leader?

You might be eager to lead or you might be reluctant. But everyone who is faced with influence has to decide what kind of leader they will be.

The best leaders serve others. Servant leadership inspires more people, gains more influence, and respect, which all turn into a successful leadership model.

Put People First

When we think of serving others, we might think of being polite or asking how we can help. But we have the opportunity to dig into a deeper level of leadership that puts people first.

This means knowing each person’s short and long-term goals for their life (with and without the company in the picture). You support them. You listen to them. People feel valued at the company and they feel you care for them.

This practice creates a vibrant workplace for great results.

Lead with a Vision

How can people follow if they don’t know where to go? Putting blinders on people doesn’t help them and it makes it harder for you to lead. One-step-ahead leadership produces an insecure work environment, not knowing the main goal of the company.

By being transparent and sharing the vision, people know what you plan on doing. They too get inspired and take a sense of ownership. If leaders position their vision as a WHY, or a big- picture mission, employees will take it to heart.

For example, if a brand sells mattresses, they aren’t selling better sleep. They are giving people much-needed rest so that can wake up, conquer their world, and give their full self to their families and careers. That’s something people can believe in and feel like they make an impact.

Lead like a Teacher

As leaders, we often say things and hope others understand them well enough to implement them. If you have ever taught a class or group, you know this usually doesn’t work.

Lead like a teacher by teaching or sharing the information, then show them how to do it, then do it together, and ultimately, give them the freedom to do it themselves. Provide feedback to improve and reinforce their effort.

Give Away Authority

Delegation can mean a lot of things. You delegate too little and get overwhelmed. You delegate too much and seem to lose control. You are too hands-off in management or too hands-on. It’s a balance that is hard to get right.

Instead of delegation, think in authority. Don’t give away roles. Give people full reign over their responsibilities within the boundaries you set.

You have a team that was chosen for a reason. When you layout guidelines and establish clear expectations, let them run with the mission, using their creative and innovative ways to solve and execute the project.

They will take ownership of it and treat the responsibilities given to them as their own.

George Dfouni truly believes Leadership is about people. When we put this at the center of everything, we can be successful leaders.