A platform for the connoisseurs to indulge with the mesmerizing beverages and lip smacking global cuisines, access the information and review and interact at the same time. This is also a huge support tool for the Hospitality aspirants pursuing any Hotel Management Program or is a beginner with the Hospitality Industry.
The hospitality industry is in for a makeover in 2024, with several trends set to reshape the guest experience. Here are some of the hottest ones:
Sustainability in the Spotlight: Eco-consciousness continues to be a major focus. Hotels will strive to become more environmentally friendly by adopting green technologies, using recycled materials, and offering plant-based food options. We can expect to see a shift towards "net positive" practices, where hotels go beyond reducing their environmental impact and actively give back to the planet.
Tech Taking Center Stage: Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize hospitality. Expect chatbots handling inquiries, AI-powered personalization for guests, and automated processes for increased efficiency. Guests will also see more contactless technology, with features like voice-activated controls, digital room keys, and touchless check-in.
Health and Wellness Focus: Travelers are increasingly prioritizing well-being. Hotels will cater to this by offering health-centric amenities like in-house gyms, spa services, and healthy menu options. There might even be a rise in properties specializing in wellness retreats.
Crafting Unique Experiences: Gone are the days of generic hotel stays. Travelers crave unique and authentic experiences. Expect hotels to partner with local businesses to offer cultural immersion activities or curate personalized itineraries based on guest interests.
Locally Sourced, Globally Inspired: People are looking to connect with the places they visit. Hotels will highlight local ingredients in their restaurants and offer experiences that allow guests to explore the surrounding area. This could include partnerships with local farms, cultural events, or tours led by community members.
The Rise of Bleisure Travel: The blurring of work and leisure continues. Hotels will cater to the "bleisure" traveler by offering co-working spaces, meeting facilities, and amenities that support remote work.
Workforce in Focus: The hospitality industry is facing labor shortages. To attract and retain staff, hotels will likely offer competitive wages, better benefits, and opportunities for growth.
Frauds in bars can take various forms, and it's important for bar owners and managers to be vigilant to prevent them. Here are some key bar frauds that can occur:
Bartender Theft:
Short Pouring: Bartenders may pour less alcohol than the standard amount for a given drink and pocket the difference.
Overcharging Customers: Bartenders may manipulate the POS system or charge customers for premium liquor while using lower-quality brands.
Cash Skimming:
Underreporting Sales: Staff may underreport the actual sales to the management, pocketing the difference.
Voiding Sales: Fraudulent voids or discounts on transactions can be used to steal money.
Fake Tabs:
Creating Fictitious Tabs: Bartenders or waitstaff may open fake tabs and pocket the cash paid by customers without recording the sale.
Employee Collusion:
Working with Customers: Employees may collaborate with customers to manipulate bills or split payments in a way that benefits both parties.
Inventory Theft:
Stealing Inventory: Employees may steal alcohol, supplies, or equipment, leading to a loss of revenue for the bar.
Credit Card Fraud:
Skimming Cards: Criminals may install skimming devices on card readers to capture customer credit card information.
Refill Scams:
Charging for Refills: Employees might charge customers for a new drink while only refilling the existing one, pocketing the extra money.
False Returns:
Processing Fake Returns: Staff may create false returns in the POS system and pocket the refunded amount.
Vendor Fraud:
Overcharging by Suppliers: Some suppliers may overcharge for products, and employees might collude with them to share the extra profits.
Time Theft:
Buddy Punching: Employees may clock in for absent colleagues, leading to inflated payroll costs.
Preventing these frauds involves implementing strict controls, regular audits, and employee training. Using surveillance cameras, maintaining a transparent and accountable work culture, and adopting secure POS systems can also help deter fraudulent activities. Regularly reviewing financial records and comparing them against inventory and sales reports can further aid in detecting discrepancies.
The latest trends in Hotel & Restaurant Food Service Trainings reflect the evolving needs of the industry and its customers. Here are some key areas of focus:
1. Catering to Dietary Preferences:
Plant-based options: Training emphasizes understanding and preparing delicious and creative plant-based dishes to cater to the growing demand for vegetarian, vegan, and flexitarian options.
Dietary restrictions and allergies: Training includes in-depth knowledge of common food allergies and intolerance, ensuring safe and inclusive dining experiences for guests with special dietary needs.
2. Sustainability and Food Waste Reduction:
Sustainable sourcing: Training focuses on responsible sourcing practices, minimizing food waste, and utilizing Eco-friendly packaging to align with the growing focus on environmental responsibility.
Composting and food waste management: Programs equip staff with knowledge and skills to handle food waste efficiently and sustainably.
3. Technology Integration:
Digital ordering systems: Training covers using online ordering platforms, kiosks, and self-service technologies to enhance efficiency and customer convenience.
Inventory management software: Training emphasizes utilizing software to optimize inventory, reduce waste, and ensure efficient stock management.
4. Upskilling & Customer Service:
Food safety and hygiene: Refresher courses ensure staff are updated on the latest food safety regulations and best practices for maintaining hygiene in food preparation and service.
Hospitality and customer service: Training focuses on delivering exceptional customer service, building rapport, and effectively handling guest inquiries and complaints.
5. Adapting to Changing Service Models:
Off-premise dining: Training addresses procedures and best practices for takeout and delivery options, which have become increasingly popular.
Contactless service: Programs cover implementing contactless payment systems, room service procedures, and ensuring food safety in off-premise settings.
In addition to these trends, training programs are becoming more personalized and accessible, offering online and blended learning formats to cater to diverse learning styles and busy schedules. The focus is on creating well-rounded professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and adaptability to thrive in the dynamic hospitality industry.
Hospitality students can transition into careers in facility management by leveraging their skills, knowledge, and experiences gained in the hospitality industry. Here are some steps they can take:
Understand the Basics of Facility Management:
Gain a solid understanding of facility management principles, including maintenance, space planning, security, and sustainability. Familiarize yourself with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
Build Relevant Skills:
Identify and develop skills that are transferable from hospitality to facility management. These may include communication, problem-solving, leadership, customer service, and organizational skills.
Educational Pursuits:
Consider pursuing additional education or certifications in facility management. There are various courses and programs available that cover the fundamentals of facility management, including facilities planning, maintenance, and operations.
Networking:
Leverage your existing network within the hospitality industry and start building connections in the facility management field. Attend industry events, join professional associations, and engage with professionals to gain insights and opportunities.
Internships and Entry-Level Positions:
Look for internships or entry-level positions in facility management. This hands-on experience will provide valuable insights into the field and help you apply your skills in a new context.
Tailor Your Resume:
When applying for facility management positions, highlight the skills and experiences from your hospitality background that are relevant to the job. Emphasize your ability to manage resources, handle customer needs, and maintain a positive and efficient environment.
Emphasize Soft Skills:
Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are crucial in both hospitality and facility management. Highlight these skills in your resume and interviews to demonstrate your ability to adapt to a new industry.
Showcase Leadership Experience:
If you have held leadership roles in the hospitality sector, emphasize these experiences. Leadership skills are highly transferable and valued in facility management roles.
Stay Informed about Industry Trends:
Keep yourself updated on trends and innovations in facility management. Subscribe to industry publications, attend conferences, and participate in webinars to stay informed about the latest developments.
Be Open to Entry Points:
Be flexible in your approach and be open to starting at entry-level positions within facility management. As you gain experience, you can gradually move up the career ladder.
Remember that the transition from hospitality to facility management may require a proactive approach, continuous learning, and a willingness to adapt. By showcasing your skills and aligning them with the requirements of facility management roles, you can successfully make the switch.
There are a number of reasons why the hospitality industry is facing a huge manpower crunch post-COVID-19:
Mass layoffs during the pandemic: The pandemic caused a sharp decline in travel and tourism, forcing many hospitality businesses to lay off employees. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, the global travel and tourism industry lost 62 million jobs in 2020.
Workers moving to other industries: Many hospitality workers who were laid off during the pandemic found jobs in other industries, such as retail and healthcare. These industries often offer more stable employment and better pay and benefits.
Safety concerns: Some workers are hesitant to return to the hospitality industry due to concerns about their safety and health. The hospitality industry is a front-line industry, which means that workers are more likely to be exposed to COVID-19.
Changing travel trends: The pandemic has also led to changes in travel trends. For example, more people are now choosing to travel domestically or take shorter, more frequent trips. This has made it more difficult for hospitality businesses to predict demand and staff their businesses accordingly.
The manpower crunch in the hospitality industry is a global problem. However, it is particularly acute in some countries, such as India and the United States. In India, for example, the hospitality industry is facing a shortage of around 350,000 workers.
The manpower crunch in the hospitality industry is having a number of negative consequences. For example, it is leading to longer wait times, reduced service levels, and higher prices for consumers. It is also making it difficult for hospitality businesses to operate efficiently and profitably.
The hospitality industry is taking a number of steps to address the manpower crunch. For example, businesses are offering higher wages and benefits, providing more training and development opportunities, and creating more flexible work schedules. Businesses are also working with governments and educational institutions to develop programs to attract and retain workers.
It is unclear how long the manpower crunch in the hospitality industry will last. However, it is likely to continue for some time as the industry recovers from the pandemic and travel trends continue to evolve.
Customer loyalty programs are highly significant in the hotel industry for several reasons:
Repeat Business: Loyalty programs are designed to reward and retain existing customers. In the hotel industry, repeat business is crucial. Returning guests are not only easier to convert but also often spend more on each visit. A loyal customer who is part of a loyalty program is more likely to book with the same hotel chain in the future.
Revenue Generation: Loyal customers tend to spend more money on various services within the hotel, such as dining, spa, and room upgrades. They may also recommend the hotel to friends and family, thereby contributing to word-of-mouth marketing.
Competitive Advantage: In a highly competitive industry like hotels, loyalty programs provide a significant competitive advantage. Customers are more likely to choose a hotel where they can earn rewards or receive special benefits. This can help hotels stand out in a crowded market.
Data and Personalization: Loyalty programs collect valuable customer data. This information can be used to personalize marketing efforts, tailoring promotions and offers to specific customer preferences. This personalization can enhance the customer experience and increase loyalty.
Brand Loyalty: A well-executed loyalty program can foster brand loyalty. Customers who accumulate points, earn rewards, and have positive experiences are more likely to become emotionally attached to the brand. This can lead to long-term, devoted customers.
Cost Savings: Acquiring new customers is generally more expensive than retaining existing ones. Loyalty programs can help reduce customer acquisition costs, as the focus shifts from attracting new customers to maintaining and nurturing the relationship with current ones.
Feedback and Improvement: Loyalty programs often provide a platform for customers to provide feedback. This feedback is valuable for continuous improvement and refining the customer experience.
Inventory Management: Loyalty programs can help hotels manage their inventory more effectively. By offering exclusive deals and benefits to loyal customers, hotels can encourage bookings during low-demand periods, helping to optimize occupancy rates.
Partnerships and Alliances: Many hotel loyalty programs have partnerships with airlines, credit card companies, and other businesses. This can extend the reach of the loyalty program and offer customers even more ways to earn and redeem rewards.
Long-Term Growth: Customer loyalty programs are part of a hotel's long-term growth strategy. They are not just about immediate gains but building a sustainable customer base for the future.
However, it's essential to note that not all loyalty programs are equally effective. A poorly designed or executed program can be costly and ineffective. Success in the hotel industry often comes from creating a program that genuinely adds value to the customer's experience and builds a strong emotional connection to the brand.
Communication is extremely important in the restaurant business, playing a critical role in its success and overall functioning. Here's why:
Customer Service: Effective communication is at the heart of providing excellent customer service. Waitstaff must communicate clearly with customers to take orders accurately, answer questions about the menu, and ensure that any special dietary needs or preferences are met.
Order Accuracy: Clear communication between the kitchen staff and the front-of-house team is essential to ensure that orders are prepared correctly and delivered to the right table. Miscommunication can lead to errors in food preparation, resulting in customer dissatisfaction.
Efficient Operations: In a restaurant, there are numerous moving parts that need to work together smoothly. Cooks, servers, bartenders, and managers all need to communicate effectively to ensure that the food is prepared and served in a timely manner.
Special Requests and Allergies: Customers often have special requests or dietary restrictions due to allergies or preferences. Proper communication ensures that these requests are conveyed accurately to the kitchen and are incorporated into the meal preparation.
Menu Knowledge: Servers need to have a comprehensive understanding of the menu, including ingredients, cooking methods, and pairings. This knowledge allows them to make recommendations and answer customer questions, enhancing the dining experience.
Upselling: Good communication skills allow servers to effectively upsell items on the menu, increasing revenue for the restaurant. They can suggest specials, wine pairings, or additional menu items based on the customer's preferences.
Handling Complaints: Not all dining experiences go perfectly. When issues arise, effective communication is crucial in addressing customer complaints. Calmly listening to the customer, empathizing, and finding a solution can help salvage the customer's experience and reputation of the restaurant.
Team Collaboration: The kitchen and front-of-house staff need to work in sync to ensure smooth operations. Effective communication ensures that orders are sent to the kitchen accurately and that any modifications or changes are clearly conveyed.
Training and Development: Regular communication is necessary for training new staff members. They need to understand the restaurant's standards, processes, and expectations. Ongoing communication also allows for feedback and improvement.
Feedback and Improvement: Communication channels between customers and the restaurant staff facilitate feedback. Positive feedback boosts morale, while constructive criticism highlights areas that need improvement.
Marketing and Promotion: Communicating about special events, promotions, and new menu items is essential to attract customers and keep them engaged. This can be done through various channels, including social media, email newsletters, and in-house signage.
In essence, effective communication ensures that the restaurant operates smoothly, customers have a positive experience, and the business can thrive. It creates a positive atmosphere, builds customer loyalty, and enhances the overall reputation of the establishment.
Hops are the flowers (also known as cones) of the hop plant, scientifically known as Humulus lupulus. They are an essential ingredient in beer making and contribute to the flavor, aroma, and bitterness of the final product. Hops have been used in brewing for centuries and play a vital role in balancing the sweetness of malted barley with bitterness and providing a range of aromatic compounds that enhance the complexity of the beer.
Here's how hops contribute to the making of beer:
Bitterness: Hops are known for their bittering properties due to the presence of alpha acids. During the brewing process, hops are typically boiled with the malted barley wort. Boiling causes the alpha acids to isomerize and become soluble in the liquid. This bitterness counteracts the sweetness of the malt and provides a balanced taste to the beer.
Flavor: In addition to bitterness, hops impart a variety of flavors to the beer, ranging from earthy and floral to citrusy and fruity. The specific flavor profile depends on the variety of hops used and how they're added to the brewing process. Hops can be added at different times during the boil, influencing the type of flavors they contribute.
Aroma: Hops are responsible for the aromatic qualities of beer. Aromas can range from piney and resinous to herbal and spicy, again based on the hop variety and how they're used. Aromas are preserved in the final beer when hops are added towards the end of the boil or even after boiling in a process called whirlpool hopping.
Stability: Hops also contribute to the stability and preservation of beer. The alpha acids in hops have natural antimicrobial properties that help inhibit the growth of unwanted microorganisms. This contributes to the shelf life of the beer.
Foam and Mouthfeel: Hops can influence the foam stability and mouthfeel of the beer. Certain hop compounds can enhance foam retention, which is important for the appearance and mouthfeel of the beer.
Clarification: Hops can aid in the clarification of beer by helping to coagulate proteins during the boiling process. This leads to a clearer and more visually appealing final product.
Brewers select hop varieties based on their alpha acid content, flavor and aroma characteristics, and overall profile to achieve the desired balance and complexity in their beers. The timing and method of hop additions during brewing, such as early boil, late boil, whirlpool, dry hopping (adding hops after fermentation), and more, all influence the final beer's taste, aroma, and appearance.
Tripadvisor is a travel guidance platform that helps people plan and book their trips. It is the world's largest travel site, with over 350 million monthly users. Tripadvisor offers a variety of features, including:
Hotel reviews: Tripadvisor has over 800 million hotel reviews, making it the most comprehensive source of hotel reviews online.
Restaurant reviews: Tripadvisor also has over 600 million restaurant reviews, making it a great resource for finding great places to eat.
Attraction reviews: Tripadvisor also has reviews of attractions, such as museums, theme parks, and other tourist destinations.
Price comparison: Tripadvisor allows you to compare prices for hotels, flights, and other travel expenses.
Booking tools: Tripadvisor also offers booking tools for hotels, flights, and other travel expenses.
Tripadvisor works by crowdsourcing reviews and ratings from travelers. When you visit a Tripadvisor page for a hotel, restaurant, or attraction, you will see a list of reviews from other travelers. You can also see the average rating for the property, as well as the percentage of reviews that are positive.
Tripadvisor is a valuable resource for travelers who are planning their trips. It can help you find great places to stay, eat, and visit. It can also help you save money on your travel expenses.
Here are some of the ways that Tripadvisor works:
User-generated content: Tripadvisor relies on user-generated content to power its platform. This includes reviews, photos, and videos from travelers all over the world.
Machine learning: Tripadvisor uses machine learning to analyze user-generated content and provide travelers with personalized recommendations.
Data analytics: Tripadvisor uses data analytics to track trends in the travel industry and identify new opportunities for growth.
Tripadvisor is a constantly evolving platform, and the company is always looking for new ways to improve the user experience. If you have any feedback or suggestions, you can share them with Tripadvisor through its website or mobile app.
Five hotel trends to watch out for in 2023 and beyond
Julia Krebs, Rooms Division Lecturer, at Les Roches Marbella, tells us how the hospitality industry is going from traumatic to triumphant
In this article, Krebs outlines what the next 12 months have in store for the industry, how we can expect to see hotels adapt to stay competitive, and why it’s important to stay on top of the latest developments.
Changing workforce
Possibly the most significant development is the influx of younger people into the industry following the great exodus from hospitality during the pandemic.
Hotels are desperate for qualified people to work for them, which means there has probably never been a better time to enter the hotel industry. And the opportunities are there whether you have the experience or not. Many hotel groups are experiencing such acute labour shortages they are offering on-the-job development and expanding their management in training programs to include not only the traditional food and beverage or rooms division routes but also 360-degree operations as well.
We’re also seeing faster career progression than we had before due to skills gaps in key roles, so it’s going to be really interesting to see how that impacts the industry in the next 12 months and beyond. With more energetic, passionate, and enthusiastic people in higher positions, it’s unthinkable that will not have a significant effect on how hotels develop and the kind of services and technologies they embrace.
Technology trends
Another hangover from the pandemic – increased use of smart technology in hotels – is also set to be a theme throughout the industry in 2023. Where the Covid crisis necessarily saw new technologies such as a hotel app deployed for customers to check in and out, I think we will see that ‘smart hotel’ trend continue but with an increased emphasis on building human interactions back into the mix.
You just don’t get the same level of hospitality with a robot as you do with people, so hotels will increasingly be looking at ways in which they can combine the efficiency of technology with the personal touch. That will be even more of a factor given people are now spending a higher proportion of their income on their travels in the post-pandemic world.
Going green
Boosting efficiency isn’t all about saving money either. As the sector continues its post-pandemic recovery, so the spotlight has turned on the industry’s environmental impact and, as a result, sustainability will be a key trend in the next year and beyond.
Combatting climate change is one of the biggest challenges we face today and is a top priority for the hotel industry. That’s why we’re seeing the entire industry adopting more environmentally-friendly approaches in almost every aspect of their operations and this is set to continue in 2023.
Whether it’s demanding more sustainable goods and services from supply chains, striving to reduce waste or designing energy-efficient buildings, hotels have embraced the challenge of reducing their carbon footprints and are aggressively pursuing a greener agenda.
The truth is sustainability is no longer something hoteliers can ignore. It’s increasingly a deciding factor in customers’ hotel choices and it’s important to the new generation of employees who will drive the industry in the future, so I’ve no doubt 2023 will see some big strides in this area.
Giving back to society
While tourism’s impact on the environment is rightly at the forefront of hoteliers’ minds, we are also increasingly seeing them consider how their operations affect the societies in which they have a presence too.
Mass tourism can have a devastating effect if it is not properly managed and hoteliers are becoming increasingly aware of the potential impact opening more and more hotels could have, so I think we will see a growth in the number of socially-conscious initiatives the travel industry develops in the next year and beyond.
In particular, giving back to local communities will be a recurring theme. We are already seeing more hoteliers making conscious efforts to source talent, goods, and services from the areas in which they operate, hiring from underrepresented groups when possible, and investing in their employees’ professional development. It doesn’t stop there.
Hotel companies are, in short, taking more responsibility for the development of tourism in their local communities and stepping up to the plate and I think this will be one of the key trends in the future.
Traveller preference trends
One of the more interesting key trends we have already seen have an impact on revenue management in the hotel industry – and one that’s set to continue for years to come – is the rise in segmentation of guests.
Things have come a long way since we asked whether the purpose of guest visits was business or pleasure. Hoteliers are now separating customer groups into many more categories and tailoring their offering according to the desired customer experience. For example, we have already seen more ‘pet-friendly’ hotels open in response to consumer demand, and niche offers of that type are likely to become more widespread.
Another driver of innovation in the industry – again influenced by the pandemic thanks to the technology behind remote working becoming more commonplace – is the burgeoning ‘digital nomad’ lifestyle. Older-style business lounge facilities are being updated and adapted to become co-working spaces for hotel guests. They provide the essential communications and IT infrastructure but also give guests the opportunity to network, taking away the sense of isolation many people experienced during the Covid years.
Catering for specific guest needs has already driven some of the larger hotel chains into diversifying their offer according to the experience clients are demanding and I think this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future. And I’m not just talking about individual hotels – I can see the larger multinational groups creating entire sub-brands that are geared towards catering to a specific niche as they look to compete with boutique offerings in increasingly diverse target markets.
Covid recovery
As we have seen, the far-reaching effects of the pandemic are still having a significant impact on global hotel industry trends and the changes it brought about will define how hotels develop and thrive for years to come. Adapting to the ‘new normal’ is a common theme throughout the top trends in hotels for 2023 and this is evident not just in the way hoteliers have already tweaked their offer to suit changing traveller preferences but also in the very nature of hotel companies themselves, which have experienced an influx of young and passionate employees.
That workforce will be one of the factors driving the adoption of more socially conscious and environmentally sound initiatives and the technological solutions that can facilitate them. But unsurprisingly, it will be customer demand that shapes how hotels emerge from the pandemic and that underpins each of these hotel trends for 2023.
We are beginning to see the effects of what some in the industry have described as ‘pent-up demand’ unfold, with the result more customers are spending more on their travels. To ensure hoteliers benefit from this development, it’s critical they not only react to demand but also monitor and stay up to date with the latest and future trends. While they do not necessarily need to be first to market, early adoption or buy-in to certain trends can lead to significant business exposure, brand awareness, and customer loyalty.
