Why Do We Read Blogs?

Today’s post is going to differ slightly from previous posts. I have spent a great deal of time over the last few days, reading other business and hospitality blogs, making comments, and generally getting involved in the blogging stratosphere. It has been both fun and informative.

However, when making a judgment about a blog and deciding whether or not to bookmark the site, I discovered that my thoughts were heavily related to whether or not I liked the writing style AND whether I liked the person doing the writing.

As I have become more involved in conversation with business blog peers, I have formed definite opinions on whose ideas I trust, who can provide me with useful information, and which writers I think are genuinely decent people. It’s a blog that ticks all three boxes that gets bookmarked, commented on, and reviewed.

Take, for example, The Happy Hotelier…

The Happy Hotelier, also known as Guido J. van den Elshout, operates something between a luxurious B&B and the suite floor of a luxurious hotel called Haagsche Suites (i.e. Suites of The Hague). Guido writes a blog that entertains, informs and guides, whilst driving traffic to his hotel site. He updates his blog regularly, is the CEO of another company, runs the aforementioned hotel, and still had time to reply (within a day) to my comment on his site:

“Hi Emma,
Thank you for coming by.
I know your site.
Wanna know how? because of your comment to the Vibeagent blog shout out to my version of the T-List
As a matter of fact you are researching an area that I’m interested in as well.
As every hotelier knows, finding the right software is always of importance to enhance your business. Go on and enlighten us please.
Greetings!”

I cannot recommend The Happy Hotelier enough, and it is for this reason that I have bookmarked his site and would like to urge others to do the same.

It is also for this reason that I’ve decided to share a little more of myself with you HERE.

I hope by finding out a little more about me you’ll be motivated to read my blog and leave your comments.

Once again, thanks for reading!

Emma

I am still on a search for the best hotel booking system for small to medium sized hotels. If you know of hotel booking software that can beat HotelSystems.co.uk for ease of use and functionality then please contact me on eharradine@hotmail.co.uk

Hospitality Industry Networking

As a hospitality industry professional it is of utmost importance to keep up-to-date with latest industry trends and practices. This isn’t difficult if your hotel or hospitality-related business is based in a large city of a developed country; however, if you are based in a small village on the outskirts of somewhere like Ouagadougou or Timbuktu, then staying ahead of your competition isn’t always easy.

It is for this reason that online social networking sites are vital for communicating with hospitality peers and experts.

Sites like Facebook have become popular with Food & Beverage Managers and Marketers for keeping in touch with clientele. I receive messages and wall posts almost daily from the Sheraton Nanjing Kingsley Hotel & Towers and also the Sheraton Tianjin Hotel. The Starwood Group has been quick to adopt modern methods to attract guests and clients to their bars and restaurants. And it works!

However, what about exchanging ideas and practices with hospitality peers?

Sites like LinkedIN are great for networking with a wide range of professionals. However, my personal favourite for networking within the hospitality industry is WIWIH (Who is who in hospitality) which allows you to discuss anything from the day to day running of a hotel to occupancy and RevPar with industry experts.

I have been using the forums to continue my search for the ultimate hotel booking software.

The extremely active forums will provide inspirational ideas for promoting your hotel and getting ahead of your competition.

Until next time,

Emma

I am still on a search for the best hotel booking system for small to medium sized hotels. If you know of hotel booking software that can beat www.hotelsystems.co.uk for ease of use and functionality then please contact me on eharradine@hotmail.co.uk