I recently had the chance to meet with Karlheinz Illner founder of KARLHEINZ ILLNER MARKEN & TONKULTUR, an international brand expert in the field of Sound Branding and Acoustic Identity. We are all familiar with the main dimensions of branding, however Sound Branding and Accoustic Identity are often forgotten though they have an obvious emotional… [Read more…]
October 14, 2010
I have been attending a conference in Hong Kong over the past two days where Andrew Cosslett, CEO of IHG (InterContinental Hotel Group) was interviewed on stage during one of the sessions. He made this great comment about branding: “You know you have a meaningful brand when a part of the customer base dislike the… [Read more…]
September 26, 2010
Virgin announced on September 20th the launch of the latest addition to its portfolio of brands: Virgin Hotels. So far, the group has reportedly over 300 branded companies, covering everything from mobile phone operator, financial services, Megastores and Formula 1 racing to soft drink, space tourism and, most notably, airlines. After a failed launch in… [Read more…]
September 20, 2010
All-inclusive concepts have always been the private hunting ground of resorts on the Red Sea or the Caribbean making them the perfect place for families to enjoy their holidays without worrying about extra charge, food and beverage bills or activities. But no one, that I know of, dared to “export” the all-inclusive concept in an… [Read more…]
September 16, 2010
We are all thrilled by new technologies and how innovation can influence the way we live and how we run businesses. The challenge we all face is that technology is evolving so fast that by the time we just comprehend the way it works it is already too late. I came across this futuristic, yet… [Read more…]
September 12, 2010
Last July I wrote this post Should Internet access be Free in Hotels. After numerous feed back online and offline and having read several related articles, each one pushing a different opinion, my thinking has slightly evolved over time so I have decided to write this follow-up post. I also felt it was important to… [Read more…]
September 9, 2010
Fifteen years ago when I just started my professional career with zero experience in the hotel industry, I had lunch with a veteran hotelier that was working for the group I had joined. I never forgot what he told me: “Fabrice, the hotel industry is very complex and takes on board numerous factors that you… [Read more…]
September 4, 2010
This remains one of the biggest taboo question in the hotel industry and I have to admit that I have actually hesitated for some time before publishing this post. Should hotels provide condoms in the rooms? We know that in some cases hotels already have them for sale as part of the mini-bar but the… [Read more…]
September 2, 2010
I was reading this statement on Twitter. “The sooner you make your digital marketing personal and human, with stories from and about your customers..the quicker you’ll find success”. I cannot agree more. The way businesses have jumped opportunistically into the Social Media game has always bothered me because I don’t think they are utilising it… [Read more…]
August 29, 2010
Branding is a science that takes time, knowledge, resources and… money. A branding agency will be a invaluable asset while branding your hotel but when adding-up all the tasks that need to be sub-contracted, building your Brand can become a very costly exercise that not all small independent hotels can afford. Here are 10 Tips… [Read more…]
August 26, 2010
I was reading this quote posted on Twitter by Dan Shawbel and inspired me to write this article. “The single biggest reason companies fail is they over-invest in what is, as opposed to what might be.” – Gary Hamel In our daily professional life we often make references to Best Practices when trying to figure… [Read more…]
August 22, 2010
When listing the features that really matter in a hotel we usually find: a comfortable bed, a fast/reliable internet connection, a powerful hot shower and great breakfast in the morning. To this coherent list I would like to add the bathroom amenities. It’s like the restrooms in a restaurant, you don’t choose a restaurant because… [Read more…]
August 2, 2010
I usually do not advertise businesses but I thought that one was so well put together that it deserved to be mentioned. It is rare to see a well designed and appealing third-party travel website and I must say, Mr and Mrs. Smith Boutique and Luxury Hotels Specialists (http://www.mrandmrssmith.com) does make me want to book.… [Read more…]
July 26, 2010
I accidentally discovered this tagline on the top banner of the IHG (InterContinental) website - - The Whatever / Whenever concept has been one of W Hotels‘s brand pillars and what they are known for for many years. IHG could not ignore it. A company like IHG does have massive financial means to develop their… [Read more…]
July 25, 2010
A few days ago, I posted about What the Internet has changed in the hotel industry. I quickly got great comments online and offline from players in the industry that highlighted the fact that it has mostly revolutionized the life of small independent hotels, for the best, but also for the worst. The best because… [Read more…]
July 21, 2010
I was just reading last week that Tripadvisor just became the #1 most popular travel website ahead of Expedia. Let’s be honest, we all think the same, Tripadvisor is hotels worst enemy and the tool of the cowards. Ten years ago, the only solution we had to express our bitter feelings was the little guest… [Read more…]
July 12, 2010
The Internet in the hotel industry has been a revolution. No doubt about that. It has completely changed the way we find, discover and book hotels within 10 years. I would personally put the big turning point in 2002. However, how much the Internet has actually improved the bottom line in the hotel industry? Have… [Read more…]
July 6, 2010
Interested about branding, my eyes always stop on articles about the great brands of this world. If you look at any chart, you will always find that all the brands listed are always brands that came up with great innovations. Whether it is 5 years ago, 20 years or 50 years ago. Each single one… [Read more…]
July 6, 2010
This is something that is not always known by people outside of the industry but today it is very rare that large hotel companies such as Marriott, Starwood, Accor or IHG own any of their hotels. They own the brand that seats on the roof and are being paid management fees by the actual owner… [Read more…]
July 3, 2010
That is an on going question and I didn’t manage to get my head around it yet. But one thing I know is that what I currently see doesn’t make any sense. Hotels are spending large amount of money to increase the guest experience, upgrading constantly the quality of bed linen, fancy bathroom amenities, sound… [Read more…]
October 23, 2010
5