Are you interested in working in the service industry? Do you have experience in the hospitality industry? If so, maybe you have what it takes to be a butler. Although...
So, you’re going on vacation with another couple, and you expect to have a good time. Well, I hope you do, but you may have already made the big mistake, taking other people...
When my husband and I decided to take a little trip down to Ocean city, MD in June, we stayed at the Commander Hotel. This is a hotel that we’ve stayed at the past six years...
How does one of the oldest hotels in Florida compete with the fast past renovations and restorations constantly swirling around it? By leading the way in updated and...
Here is a scenario that recently happened to me and I’d like to share it to show how confusion can snowball into major issues. Just recently I was invited to be one of four...
The travel and hospitality field is one area that will be growing as the baby boomers retire. With spare time on their hands, couples who are retired will want to take time to...
For many people, the job of a waiter or waitress is considered one of those jobs people just fall into and do to get by until they find some kind of a “real” job. This type of...
My sister, Susan, travels a lot. She’s the one that you know if you’re with her, you will be certain to have a germ free hotel stay. She disinfects the doorknobs, the...
I don’t know about you, but most of the hotels I stay in have fairly unremarkable room service. I mean, the food is just plain “blah.” The only area that shines is maybe the...
There are hotel jobs and there are hotel jobs. Perhaps the most challenging is that of the hotel manager and staff who must prepare for a visit by the POTUS—the President Of...
Having spent years in the restaurant business as a manager and in every other position when I was younger, I can say that the hostess/host job in a restaurant is very...
The good news: Hotels, restaurants, catering companies, casinos, country clubs, cruise ships and other hospitality-related businesses are hiring. The leisure and hospitality...
You’re a good worker. You graduated from a fine hospitality school. You do everything that’s asked of you. In fact, you fit the job description perfectly. But year after year,...
You worked hard to get the promotion to hotel manager. And now the time has come for you to show your stuff. Some new managers are totally unprepared for the responsibilities...
Are you cut out to work in hospitality? You say you like to work with people and that you’re often the life of the party, but do you really have what it takes to succeed in...
If you’re thinking of pursuing a career in hospitality management, you might want to know what your peers have to say about this career choice. You also might be interested in...
If you’re already working in the hospitality industry and seek a promotion to manager or assistant manager, you might consider furthering your formal education online. Many...
If you’re unattached, want to work overseas, and are eager to launch your career in hotel management, you might want to move to Switzerland. The country has long been known for...
As most people will tell you, two of the hottest careers in the hospitality industry are Hotel Management and Restaurant Management. Both employ similar management principles...
While many industries were still struggling to take on new hires in 2011, the hospitality industry was already witnessing signs of a real recovery. According to the Bureau...
You just got promoted to the position of Hotel Manager. You worked hard to get there. Now you want to prove you can be the best HM (hospitality manager) the company has ever...
If you’re a career-mined hospitality professional, you should always be looking for ways to stand out from the crowd. One way to do that is to work for hospitality venues that...
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality industry, the International School of Hospitality (TISOH) recently launched an online series of program workshops...
Hospitality workers have received threats and some have been victims of violence after asking guests to stop smoking. A survey of over 5,000 hospitality workers revealed...
You're a hotel manager at a luxury hotel. And you just found out that an A-list celebrity (and their entourage) will be staying in one of your best suites. The work begins the...
If you’re interested in pursuing a career in hotel management, you’ll want to be aware of the changes some states are making governing housekeepers. California, for...
Recent changes in overtime rules could have a major impact on you if you work in the hotel industry. One major bone of contention is the salary threshold for exempt...
by Alex A. KecskesYou just got promoted to the position of Hotel Manager. You worked hard to get there. Now you want to stay there and be the best HM you can be. To do that,...
by Alex A. KecskesThe hospitality industry, like most industries, offers many different ways to break in. If you’re just starting out, you should know that there are two ways...
by Alex A. KecskesIn spite of cruise ship disasters like those that befell the Costa Concordia, cruise lines remain inundated with hundreds of applications every week. Your...
by Alex A. KecskesSo you want to be a concierge? As you may have guessed, it’s not all directions, restaurant reservations and box theater tickets. A good concierge is...
by Alex A. KecskesIf you’re looking to work overseas in the hospitality industry, there are some areas of the world that have become more attractive to budget-minded travelers....
by Alex A. KecskesHere’s an interesting career choice for anyone in the hospitality industry—Airline Revenue Manager. Anyone who has ever flown for business or pleasure knows...
by Alex A. KecskesWhether you’re looking for a job in hospitality or you’re ready to move up in the field, one thing you should be mindful of is a hotel’s rating—typically on a...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you’re looking for a ski resort job, ‘tis the season to be merry—especially in New Mexico. After suffering from a lack of moisture since last winter, ski...
by Alex A. KecskesThe Summer Olympics are coming to London. To prepare for the half million visitors (not including the athletes) projected to visit the city, the hospitality...
by Alex A. KecskesHere’s a novel approach to the traditional airport bar—old aircraft gutted and refitted as bars and restaurants. This would be one hospitality job to tell...
If you’re hoping to land a job in hospitality and pursue a career in the field, you should be aware of the changes that are coming to the industry. Changes that will affect...
by Alex A. KecskesEver wonder where Kim Kardashian likes to vacation? Would you take a hospitality job that caters to such celebs--just to chat with the star of Keeping up with...
by Alex A. KecskesThe hotel industry is reeling as the economy continues to stagnate. The effects are being felt nationwide. Starwood Hotels recently laid off over 10,000...
The hospitality industry offers a large number of amazing employment opportunities, largely due to its vast array of career options. Whether you’re looking to become an...
by Alex A. KecskesThings may be picking up in the hospitality industry, so if you’re looking for a job in this field, you’ll want to polish your resume and make it shine. Here...
by Alex A. KecskesTimes are tough and hospitality jobs are already scarce. But hold on, things could get worse.Qantas Airlines recently announced that it would cut nearly 100...
by Alex A. KecskesIf you have dreams of becoming a world famous chef, you might take a lesson from Wolfgang Puck. The master chef and business entrepreneur created an empire...
by Alex A. KecskesThink you’re cut out to be a good hotel manager? You’ve got a reputable degree in hospitality management. You may even have interned at a big hotel to see if...
by Alex A. KecskesHospitality recruiters, like so many others, are now exploiting the power of the web—be it e-job boards, emails, resume posting sites or business social media...
by Alex A. KecskesIf you’re a hotel manager and you want to keep your job and continue to be promoted, you’ll try to avoid making these five common mistakes:Failure to Enforce...
by Alex A. KecskesAs a hospitality professional, you know the importance of social networking, which is why you’ve learned to link up with associates, employers, and...
by Alex A. Kecskes Hotel inspectors travel from hotel to hotel under the guise of a regular customer. They’ll sample a hotel’s bar and restaurant offerings, evaluate its spa,...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you’re entering the hospitality industry, or already working in the field, there are some trends and challenges facing the industry that could affect your...
One of the challenges associated with creating a hospitality resume is making sure that it zeros in on the position you're applying for while highlighting the many skills you...
by Alex A. Kecskes You just got a degree from a prestigious hospitality school or university, and you’re ready to leap into the job market and launch your hospitality career....
by Alex A. Kecskes You were one of the lucky ones who landed a job in hospitality. You work hard, but somehow the promotions aren’t coming your way. You’re stunned that some...
by Alex A. KecskesIf you’re looking to pursue a career in the hospitality industry, there’s good news ahead (despite the bad economy). According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you’re looking for a job in the hospitality industry, one of the key things you have to ask yourself is, where do I fit? What type of job makes me want to...
As a proud member of the hospitality field, you know that there is a wide variety of industries that you can dabble in and find success. Whether your focus is hotel/casino,...
by Alex A. KecskesA summer job in hospitality can give you a leg up in finding a full-time job when the summer’s over. You’ll learn the ropes, connect with managers and...
by Alex A. Kecskes Your resume was persuasive enough to get you that all-important first interview. Now comes the tough part: prepping for the interview. You’ll be expected to...
by Alex A. Kecskes Yes, times are tough, particularly in some sectors of the hospitality industry. And Las Vegas is no exception. There are a few bright spots, however.If...
by Alex A. KecskesAchieving success in the hospitality field is not easy. You constantly have to improve yourself, and you have to take hard work and long, often thankless...
by Alex A. KecskesIf you want to jump start your career in Hospitality Management, you'll need to immerse yourself in study. The best way to do that is through a formalized...
by Alex A. KecskesiPads are coming to a hotel near you. They'll be everywhere, connecting you with an endless array of services with unheard of ease and mobility. Hotels are...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you’re sociable, like to drive, and want to help visitors get acquainted with a city’s most popular attractions, you might consider becoming a tour...
by Alex A. KecskesAre you a recent college grad looking for a career in hotel management? Hyatt Hotels offers a Corporate Management Training Program that not only provides...
by Alex A. KecskesReady or not, a new breed of high-tech micro-hotel room may soon be coming to a city near you. Similar to the rooms inside Yotels and Qbic Hotels, the latest...
by Alex A. KecskesIt's not hard to understand that in these tough economic times, many executives are choosing less expensive options and shying away from what corporate travel...
by Alex A. KecskesThe increase in job-related crimes has underscored the need for hotel managers to learn as much as they can about whom they will be hiring. One way to get a...
by Alex A. KecskesIt's your first day on the job as Hotel Manager. You need to make a good impression, not just on your boss but on the troops under you. Some...
When I worked for Marriott’s Hotel Division in the 80’s, I used to read and process thousands of customer comment cards submitted by hotel guests. These were the usual...
by Alex A. KecskesLike Jennifer Lopez' Marisa in Maid In Manhattan, you've reached the pinnacle of efficiency as a "worker bee" and you're ready to move up to hotel management....
by Alex A. KecskesThe demand for personal assistants--or personal concierges (PCs) as they are sometimes called--is growing rapidly. A PC typically works for a high powered,...
You see in the movies the couple entering an expensive restaurant and upon reaching the Maitre d’, the man gives his name. The Maitre d’ haughtily looks over the reservation...
The next in my series of “So You Want to be a …” is Bartender. What could be more fun? Making exotic drinks in a classy lounge setting or an exciting club just like Tom Cruise...
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by Alex A. KecskesKeeping guests and service employees safe and preventing on-the-job accidents poses special challenges for the hospitality industry. This is because most...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you're the manager of a mid- to large-size hotel, you know about meetings management software and the companies that run them. Some are good and some are...
With people watching what they spend and giving more thought to vacations, how does this effect the hospitality industry? What improvements or other avenues is the industry...
This is the third in a series of “So You Want To Be A…” blogs about jobs in the hospitality industry. Hospitality and Tourism Jobs added the most new jobs last month, and with...
One of the hallmarks of the hospitality industry is that the majority of workers are younger. This is a result of most hotel and restaurant jobs being seen as “entry level”...
by Alex A. Kecskes According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitality employees account for about 8 percent of all employment. Yet, employment in this industry is...
by Alex A. KecskesThe National Statler Center's Careers in Hospitality Program offers classes to the blind, visually impaired and physically disabled to prepare them for...
Sometimes looking for a job means thinking outside the box. Do you enjoy driving? Do you like meeting new people? Do you find sitting in a cubicle day after day boring? Well,...
I recently saw a news story on TV about how pets are replacing children in modern families. Instead of going through the pain and expense of raising traditional children,...
One of the emphases coming out of Washington is on the creation of “green jobs.” That is readily seen in auto and manufacturing positions, but it is also true in the...
by Alex A. Kecskes Even in these poor economic times, hospitality staff turnover can be a nagging problem. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, replacing a hospitality...
by Alex A. Kecskes Job seekers looking for work in the hospitality industry may find a sunny outlook in 2011. That's because unlike many industries that have sufferd in the...
A park ranger’s main job is to allow people to enjoy nature safely. They also make sure that our natural areas are protected, undisturbed and safe. A park ranger has many...
I recently filled my gas tank, and even with the 10 cent discount with my Kroger Plus card at the Shell station, it still cost almost $60 to fill the tank. When I checked the...
For many people, young and old, a job as a waiter or waitress might seem ideal. The hours are – usually – flexible, you receive daily pay in the form of tips, and it can be a...
by Alex A. Kecskes The economy is slowly gaining some momentum. And hotel employees are getting the itch to switch—jump ship for higher pay, better benefits, promotion, and...
by Alex A. Kecskes Most hotels will be replacing pampering with wellness as travelers opt for healthier alternatives while they travel. This will be evident as spas and resorts...
What is a Holiday Representative? A holiday representative is a person who looks after and takes care of large groups of guests at a resort. The guests are there during...
In my seven years as a Human Resources Director in the Hospitality industry, one of the toughest jobs to fill was one of dishwasher/utility. That may not seem so surprising,...
Probably everyone who has worked at a hotel or restaurant/bar has had to deal with a person who has had too much to drink. Waitresses have had guests who have had too much to...
by Alex A. Kecskes The growth of corporate meetings, seminars, symposiums and other events conducted at hotels around the world has given rise to the Event Manager or Event...
by Alex A. Kecskes You're a hotel worker and you've been assigned the night shift. Or as some call it the "Bates" shift. As a night shift clerk, your duties will, at times, be...
If you have an out going personality, find people of all ages and nationalities interesting and love to travel, then welcome to the world of the Tour Escort! What is a Tour...
In doing my research for this article, I came across a job posting for a banquet server at a luxury hotel-resort in Savannah. It had the typical job requirements for banquet...
by Alex A. Kecskes Is the current Hotel Star Rating System outdated? Some hotel marketing professionals believe so. Here's why: It's too complicated. The evaluation process is...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you ever wanted to work on a resort cruise line and liked the idea of Disneyland's magic, you might be tempted to work on the new Fantasy, Disney Cruise...
A lot of people are attracted to the job of Travel Consultant because of the great travel benefits. When traveling for personal reason, agents usually get reduced rates for...
If you have been looking for a job with little success, seasonal work in the hospitality industry may be a way to get you on the payroll and give you an opportunity to...
Recently, I commented on boutique hotels. These are usually larger than a bed and breakfast, but smaller than the typical chain hotel. What sets them apart, however, is not...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you love golf and you want to work in the hospitality industry, you might consider a golf resort career. You'll work in some of the world's most beautiful...
by Alex A. Kecskes Luxury hotel managers are increasingly being asked to soothe the frayed nerves of guests who must choose between paying for Wi-Fi access in their rooms or...
The Hospitality Service industry has expanded way beyond the maid in the hotel or the clerk behind the desk. The many opportunities now include some of the careers listed...
by Alex A. Kecskes Like to sing and dance? Want to showcase your talent on the piano, guitar or trumpet? Many hospitality jobs on cruise ships, at amusement parks and resorts...
by Alex A. Kecskes Most hotel artwork is either cheap posters, bad lithographs, or mall art. Not so at Jumeirah's Essex House in New York City. Here, artwork is treasured and...
Many hotels and resorts are gearing up for the busy summer season and are looking for talented, friendly employees that love to take care of their guests. We have two four-star...
by Alex A. Kecskes There are some pretty plum jobs to be had in the hospitality industry. One of those is Vibe Manager at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego. Currently held by...
by Alex A. Kecskes Scott Kerkmans has one of the most coveted jobs in the hotel industry. The 28-year-old was recently named Chief Beer Officer (CBO) for the Four Points by...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you like working in the hospitality industry, you'll love this gig: Director of Romance at Las Ventanas al Paraiso in Cabo. The current titleholder of...
by Alex A. Kecskes With 244 hotels containing 55,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline, the UAE will create 120,000 new jobs by 2011. This will provide hotel management and...
Before my move to Savannah, I lived in a nice villa in Hilton Head, SC. It was my dream home with a mid-island location, a short walk to the Atlantic Ocean, a swimming pool...
A recent article in USA Today describes the trend among hotels to ban smoking in the rooms. Many hotels had set aside a majority of rooms as non-smoking. For example, the...
by Alex A. Kecskes Social media is constantly evolving and softening the customer to the "business connection." Its effective use can help steer the hotel industry out of the...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you like hanging around the beach or pool and rubbing people the right way, you might consider working as a Beach Tanning Butler. A number of luxury...
The national unemployment rate may still be hovering around 9.4%, but a new survey from Deloitte’s Industries, Tourism and Hospitality-Leisure group found that 80% of survey...
In today’s age of instant communication, you can’t get away with anything. We know how bloggers and “new media” reporters have broken negative stories on politicians and...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you like working in the height of luxury and aren't afraid of heights, you might consider applying for a job at the Shanghai Tower J-Hotel—the world's...
by Alex A. Kecskes The concierge code is to satisfy every request. And concierges are the "can do" experts most upper class hotels simply can't to without. They handle some...
For many years, I traveled at least two weeks each month conducting training programs for an International Training Company. I would pack my bags on Sunday, say my goodbyes and...
There is no doubt that one of the hot topics in the United States is the matter of our porous borders, especially along the southern border. Illegal aliens – or “undocumented...
by Alex A. Kecskes It's not all glamour and glitz, but it does have its perks. And you can move up the ladder fairly quickly. One of the gaming industry’s biggest perks is you...
by Alex A. KecskesYou've just been promoted to Hotel Manger. Staff and senior management will be looking to you to keep things running smoothly. Guests will be counting on you...
At a recent meeting, a friend pulled me to the side and handed me a manila envelope. In a hushed voice, she told me that he wanted to make a career move and asked if I would...
Have you thought about a position in the hospitality industry, but wanted something out of the ordinary? Have you wanted a hotel/restaurant job that tapped into your special...
by Alex A. Kecskes Careers in the tourism industry can be rough to manage. There's lots of mobility and career paths can zig-zag faster than those of a "B" list actor. Workers...
by Alex A. Kecskes Competition is fierce in the hotel industry as was recently underscored by the opening of the new 5-star Sofitel Vienna Stephansdom. Designed by French...
Today, in an effort to stimulate my creative brain cells, I decided to take my laptop to a local coffee shop across from Forsyth Park. The Sentient Bean is a comfortable,...
Like many people who work in hospitality, I got caught up in Hell’s Kitchen last season. It was one of those shadenfreude – “taking pleasure in another’s misfortune” – type of...
by Alex A. Kecskes While today's value conscious traveler is certainly looking for a bargain in room rates and meals, there is something to be said about connecting with a...
by Alex A. Kecskes The boomers are coming. They're healthy, active, restless, and ready to explore their "Bucket List" destinations. And, yes, they have the money to do it....
By Barbi SnyderThe “Front Desk” could be the subject of many different types of businesses from an office environment, a retail outlet, an industrial sales of car sales...
There has been rather a lot of discussion in the past couple years about the danger posed to aircraft by electromagnetic interference (EMI) from personal electronics, such as...
A hospitality career is exciting, challenging and full of opportunities to gain skill and experience in a great variety of jobs. Many aspiring hoteliers get their degrees in...
I was working the front desk one night when a young lady approached the desk and asked if there were any rooms available and if so, what was the rate. I told her we did have...
by Alex A. Kecskes Some cities, hurt by the recession and eager to draw in tourism and business travel dollars, have decided to change their image. Many are doing whatever they...
by Alex A. Kecskes Compared to workers in other industries, hospitality workers don't live long after retirement. So says a recent study of major companies. Which hospitality...
By Barbi SnyderAn environment of hospitality is one that must be part of our behavior no matter what venue we live in, visit, solicit or support, frequently or less frequently....
A friend of mine in the hospitality industry posted this question on Facebook the other day—“Is the Customer Always Right?” In a short time there were over 26 responses from...
Apart from the rather obvious NASCAR jokes I’m very tempted to make, it’s been a bit of a personal obsession since I learned to drive. Left turns, to me, always seemed to be...
In various industries there are certain quality control standards in place. As an item moves down the assembly line, every "xth" unit is pulled for evaluation and testing. If...
by Alex A. Kecskes The hotel and tourism industry utilizes the services of hundreds of thousands of low-skilled workers to clean rooms, do laundry, wash dishes and perform...
by Alex A. Kecskes The hotel industry is changing, adapting to the needs, whims and wishes of an ever-changing society and tech-savvy clientele. In the film Dirty Dancing, Max...
By Barbi SnyderThe normal reference to personal hospitality are the courtesies extended to visitors and guest in your home. Our belief is that meaningful actions and gestures...
A lot has been written about first impressions and how important they are in business and personal encounters alike. But what about last impressions? After a guest checks out...
Sometimes you take a position, not because the hours are the greatest, the work is the easiest, or the pay is the best, but because of the perks. While the hospitality...
by Alex A. Kecskes The shaky economy and more people than ever out of work have forced many to cut back on personal vacations and eating out. Corporations are also cutting back...
A friend of mine recently stayed at a new downtown hotel. One of the features of the hotel was an outdoor fire pit. All you had to do was call the front desk and a staff member...
by Alex A. Kecskes According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the hospitality industry is predicted to grow by 17 percent between 2004 and 2014, adding more than 2.2...
Part of my experience in the hospitality industry, was a short stint in the economic lodging industry. My spouse and I were “relief managers” in a west coast motel chain. This...
My married children and their families came to visit the week between Christmas and New Years Eve. For a few nights, our three bedroom row house in Savannah’s Historic District...
Runny eggs for breakfast … a surly desk clerk … a noisy air conditioner–almost any inconvenience in a hotel can be forgiven or compensated. But the one thing a guest will not...
by Alex A. Kecskes Nowadays, more people than ever are opting for the uncommon honeymoon. And that means staying at hotel that's not your typical lover's retreat. Often called...
by Alex A. Kecskes In these tough economic times, if the number of guests is in decline, you need to sell more product per guest, and that means mastering the...
The waitstaff, the waiters, waitresses and host or hostess of a dining facility will literally make or break the ability of that business to merely compete or even stay in...
Part of the success of social networking is the ability to have things fast and on your own terms. Choose your friends, conversation, issues and activities and communicate at...
by Alex A. Kecskes A new Deloitte Survey revealed that corporate travel would increase in 2011. Good news for those working in hospitality and travel sectors, especially in...
by Alex A. Kecskes Today's global hospitality industry employs a rainbow workforce of different races, religions, cultures, sexual orientations, genders and native language...
There are plenty of opportunities in the industry for the unemployed as well as the employed seeking a career change. The objective of this article is to establish a profile...
So you want to work in the hospitality industry. Front desk, concierge, housekeeping, maintenance, and food service – these are positions typically associated with hospitality....
There have been a lot of news stories lately about the amazing powers of sleep. We all know that experts (and your mother) said you should get eight hours of sleep every night....
by Alex A. Kecskes Disneyland Resorts may be the happiest place on earth for hospitality workers looking for a promising career. Many who start as summer interns have worked...
by Alex A. Kecskes While hotels in space are still a few decades away, hotel groups are going to great depths to lure guests with new and exotic experiences. Take the Jules'...
As the saying goes, (true or false) information is transformed into knowledge and knowledge is power! Mybelief and experience, derives a modifcation of that axiom and a...
Why do some customers return again and again to your hotel or B&B to enjoy your hospitality? There are some things that are the same no matter what you are selling. In...
When we hear the word’s “hospitality industry” we quickly think of hotels and restaurants. But another, often overlooked, aspect of this industry is amusement parks. That...
by Alex A. Kecskes These are tough times for the hospitality industry. To survive and remain profitable, hotels must address four emerging mega trends: Brand Trumps Location....
by Alex A. Kecskes It's perks meets paycheck. If you love skiing, working outdoors and getting the run of the slopes, working at a big ski lodge could be the job of a lifetime....
For any of our new readers, I want to review the first two parts of the three part series. It may be advantageous to check the website archives and review the first two parts...
According to an article in the Insurance Travel Preview, Thanksgiving and Christmas are some of the busiest travel days of the year. People who may not take an extended summer...
Suppose for a moment that you are considering applying for a part-time position in the hospitality industry. Most of the time, the large chain hotels – the Holiday Inns, the...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you work in the hospitality industry, knowing wine labels can give you a leg up when it comes to providing that extra ounce of service. It can also...
by Alex A. Kecskes The need to seek out new places, experience exotic environments, and encounter interestingly different peoples is fundamental to the human psyche. It's no...
The importance of the greeting cannot be understated. As a matter of fact, it sets the tone for the entire experience that ensues! From the doorman, to the bellman, to the...
Meeting and event planners love the holidays. Office parties, employee appreciation lunches, awards banquets, New Year’s Eve parties, family dinners, and the usual birthdays,...
We know the drill from the TV shows. Something has happened – usually bad – and the crime scene investigation unit swings into action. If you’re in Vegas, its Grisom, Katherine...
Every time a guest walks through the lobby doors, they are experiencing your hotel for the first time. Of course, for the first-time guest, everything is new. Even guests who...
by Alex A. Kecskes With hundreds of books on the subject, and countless online articles and videos, today's hospitality candidates are pretty savvy when it comes to job...
The approach I am using in this article, is to define Hospitality and enumerate some of the aspects of hospitality! In sequels to this writing, I would elaborate on details of...
In the wake of recent terrorist attempts, airport security is tighter than ever. While you can be relatively comfortable that your safety and security is being guarded in the...
So, what made you want to be a bartender? Was it Tom Cruise juggling bottles in Cocktail or the ladies dancing on the bar in Coyote Ugly? Or maybe you just said, “I hang out in...
by Alex A. Kecskes The telephone interview can make or break any chances you may have of getting that plum hospitality position. This initial screening measure is...
by Alex A. Kecskes Most hospitality professionals understand the value of on-going education and the importance of certifications in propelling their career forward. Learning...
The CSI report is in. It’s not from the “crime scene investigation” unit. Rather it is the Customer Service Index, a guest’s evaluation of your hotel, its facilities and the...
If you are going to vacation in Italy, France or any country that speaks a different language, and you are one of the many Americans who only speak English, you may decide to...
by Alex A. Kecskes Implementing a Hospitality Training Program is an important part of a service-oriented business. If you're the manager or supervisor of a restaurant, hotel,...
When your boss is scheduled for a business trip, all hotels are not the same. Being able to conduct business, whether meeting with the client or customer or relaxing in the...
by Alex A. Kecskes Research has revealed that hospitality employees like to imbibe regularly and a bit too often. A study released by George Washington University Medical...
by Alex A. Kecskes It's no secret that the worsening economy has weakened morale in the hospitality workplace. Many workers say they are likely to quit when the economy does...
I was on an International flight recently. I haven’t flown in quite awhile, and I am not familiar with any new security regulations put in place in the last year or so. We were...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you're eager to start your career in the culinary side of the hospitality industry, here are some top schools you might look into to "hit the ground...
Quick, cheap (or free) Internet access has become the norm for most of the world, hooked on logging on anywhere they happen to be. “Free WiFi” signs welcome Web junkies to...
Nothing is more frustrating than planning a trip and then finding that your bags are overweight costing you extra fees; your hotel charges a fee for daily newspaper delivery,...
Hotel night auditors usually work the ‘graveyard shift’ from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am the next morning. Depending on the size of the hotel, the requirements of the position, and the...
by Alex A. Kecskes Older workers have been hit hard in this economy. If you're an over 50 worker, you may have to segue into a different job until the economy improves....
STAFFING CHALLENGES IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRYSeveral years back, the U.S. Department of Labor expressed concern for workers in the hospitality industry. The DOL wanted to be...
by Alex A. Kecskes Once the gold mine of hoteliers, corporate travelers could be counted on to spend generously on lodging and meals. Expense accounts were fat and all...
Planning a trip abroad takes a lot of planning, preparation and understanding of what to expect. Hospitality, in the form of accommodations, travel, food and entertainment can...
The task of Front Office Manager in a hotel has to be one of the most diversified and, therefore, demanding in the hotel industry. The FOM has direct contact with the guests...
by Alex A. Kecskes A 40-year-old consumer brand best known for its 130-plus music-themed restaurants, Hard Rock has become a savvy hotel presence, growing from 12 properties...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you've chosen a hospitality career and you're thinking of working on a cruise ship, you should know what you're getting into before accepting a...
You don’t have to be a world traveler to pick the perfect place for a vacation in an exotic location halfway around the world from home. The Internet has made it possible to...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you're looking for a job in the hospitality industry, should you choose a small boutique hotel or a large nationally branded conglomerate? Depends. Some...
by Alex A. Kecskes Responding to increasing demands by guests, hotels around the country are taking a number of steps to make their establishments a healthier place to stay....
I recently attended a conference for a professional organization at a large airport hotel in Atlanta. It had easy access from the airport and the Interstate, large meeting...
by Alex A. Kecskes There's no getting away from the fact that in the hospitality industry, your professional appearance will be a key factor in whether or not you get that...
by Alex A. Kecskes With the economy in a slump, hoteliers everywhere are eager to slash operating costs. One solution that can cut costs, raise occupancy levels and enhance...
The Internet has a wealth of information for travelers. Tech savvy with instant access, they are logging on to see what destinations, hotels, transportation, entertainment and...
You want to have all the information you can when considering what companies you would like to work for and researching organizations before you go in for interviews is...
by Alex A. Kecskes You landed a job at the hotel you admire, but now it's time to move up the ladder. Time to pull out all the stops and commit yourself to a promotion. Some...
Food servers traditionally earn low hourly wages, but can earn more than their salaried managers by scoring big on tips. People go out to eat for a variety of reasons—don’t...
by Alex A. Kecskes We need a vacation to stay healthy and remain happily married, but few of us take the time off we need. So say the results of a recent Westin Hotels...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you're planning a trip to China and want to do your part to preserve the planet's ecological balance by imposing a smaller footprint during your stay,...
Savvy online writers know that if they put in Governor Jan Brewer or "Arizona immigration bill," they'll get thousands of hits from curious visitors. But in the hospitality...
by Alex A. Kecskes Wireless Internet access, on-demand cable television, and instant access to movies and music are amenities that guests have come to expect during their stay...
Adults and families on vacation are happy to get away from home for awhile with no beds to make, no cleaning up, a pool and maybe a hot tub for relaxation. If the hotel has...
Ah, the glamour of working in a beautiful five-star hotel or resort in an exotic location, a trendy ski resort perched on the side of the Alps or a rugged wilderness...
by Alex A. Kecskes Today, more travelers are using smart phones to plan, purchase and share information about their travel destinations. A recent Ypartnership/Harrison Group...
by Alex A. Kecskes The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has announced the formation of the first industry-wide forum exclusively for female hospitality...
by Alex A. Kecskes In these tough times, hotels can't afford to fall behind in the technology revolution that's sweeping all industries. With ubiquitous mobile access to the...
by Alex A. Kecskes At some hotels, the days of the "Customer Comment" sheet are fast being replaced by high-pressure tactics in pursuit of good reviews. Lately, a few hotels...
Hospitality careers are changing rapidly as many staff find that internal pressures to improve customer service through social media are joining with external pressures like...
by Alex A. Kecskes Top hospitality companies around the globe are embracing a new trend in resort accommodations: the Boutique Hotel. Boutique Hotels are intimate, usually...
by Alex A. Kecskes The European hotel business is excruciatingly competitive, with hotels vying for well-heeled clients who demand the very finest service and appointments....
by Alex A. Kecskes The hospitality industry has always had one of the highest employee turnover rates of any economic sector. According to research conducted by the American...
by Alex A. Kecskes If you're serious about a career in the hospitality industry, you should consider joining the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA). It represents...
You're a desk clerk at a respectable hotel and you aim to please every guest. But there are certain times when you simply have to turn guests away. We're talking about call...
Hotel clerks basically perform a variety of services for hotel guests, such as guest check-in and check-out, assigning rooms and answering inquiries to hotel services. But if...
A career in the hospitality industry can take you in many directions. You'll be on the front lines in providing lodging, food, beverage, and/or recreational services to hotels,...