Andrew Houghton

Latin America and the Caribbean are home to some of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. To keep up with the booming tourism industry, we need more skilled technicians and fewer hotel administrators. As a believer in this vision, I propose converting half of the universities into polytechnics that provide two years of education to prepare people for careers in the tourism industry. The new hotels being built, including all-inclusive ones, are top-notch and require more than just a smile. Good service is a must. By investing in the education of technicians, we can provide quality service to tourists and ensure the industry's sustainable growth. Let's make Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Chile, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Dominican Republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent, and the rest of the region leaders in the tourism industry. #Latinamerica #Caribbean #Tourism #TourismIndustry #polytechnics

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Excellence is always an ongoing process.

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We need to truly listen to our staff—they are the voice of our guests and a critical part of our operations. Sometimes, it’s essential to step back and realize that it’s not about what we want, but what our guests and team members need to keep them engaged and satisfied. This principle extends particularly to our internal systems. If our team members express concerns about new systems or changes we’ve implemented, it’s crucial to take their feedback seriously. Their input can provide invaluable insights into what might not be working and help us adjust our approach to ensure both employee satisfaction and guest loyalty. By fostering open lines of communication and valuing our team’s feedback, we create a more cohesive and effective work environment. #aspire2b 👍

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Rethinking Hotel Website Strategy "Is your hotel making the most of its online presence? 🌐 Like many, I followed the traditional path of separating the website front end from the booking engine. But why lose the momentum by redirecting guests? We're exploring unified platforms where guests can check availability, room details, and pricing in one place without switching URLs. This could be the key to reducing booking engine abandonment. What has been your approach?" #HotelStrategy #OnlinePresence #DirectBookings #UnifiedPlatforms

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Staffing challenges have become a common theme across hotels and resorts. Fluctuating demand adds to the complexity of staffing needs, while turnover compounds the challenges leading to inconsistent service and repeat hiring/training costs. It's no surprise that these issues can directly impact your ability to deliver exceptional guest experiences. We're tackling these challenges head on with a game-changing solution: virtual support services. Swipe through to see how Klio can help your operations and in-house staff feel supported and empowered to do what they do best--delight your guests. DM me if you would like to hear more about how we can help support you or if you have any questions!

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Did you receive an email from Expedia Group lately? You better read it carefully! Starting May 15 Expedia might show your members' rates to non-members! You have until May 13 to opt out. Act before it's too late. The email itself is worth reading word by word. I highlighted the best parts. - What hotel on earth would not want "high value" travelers, "more bookings" or "to maximize your revenue"? Does "more revenue" mean more "incremental revenue" or "more revenue through Expedia that you already had directly or through another OTA?". - The smart use of goals such as "internationalization" and "competitiveness" traditionally complex for hotels to achieve (I would say even to understand). - Automatically applying this "feature" to all hotels (incredible OTAs can do this, and that hotels don't complain more!) - Setting a quite short notice to opt out. Some comments - What matters here is that the OTAs WIN regardless that YOU LOSE. - OTAs already offer "visibility boosters" to achieve more visibility paying some extra costs. Hotels don't need Expedia to do the work on behalf of them. - OTAs' loyalty programs, a good idea in its inception, are today an excuse to get access to better rates that all members will enjoy.  - The sooner we stop calling them "members' rates", the faster hotels will understand the lie behind loyalty in OTAs. - Remember Expedia is following Booking.com when they made the Genius Program free to sign up. Consequently, any user will have access to Genius rates without any additional requirement than creating a free account. And of course, OPT OUT of this "great opportunity" as soon as you can.  

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𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝗅 Today, as we celebrate our planet, let's also explore how sustainability and incentive travel can go hand in hand to create meaningful experiences while minimizing our environmental impact. Incentive travel is a powerful tool for motivating and rewarding employees, but it's essential to align these trips with sustainable practices to ensure we protect the planet we cherish. Here are some ways to merge incentive travel with sustainability: 1️⃣ Choose Eco-Friendly Destinations: Opt for destinations that prioritize sustainability, such as eco-lodges, green hotels, or locations with strong environmental initiatives in place. 2️⃣ Offset Carbon Footprint: Consider offsetting the carbon footprint of the trip by supporting carbon offset projects or investing in renewable energy initiatives. 3️⃣ Promote Sustainable Activities: Incorporate sustainable activities into the itinerary, like beach clean-ups, tree planting, or visits to local conservation projects to give back to the communities you visit. 4️⃣ Encourage Responsible Travel: Educate participants on responsible travel practices, such as reducing waste, conserving water, and respecting local cultures and wildlife. 5️⃣ Support Local Communities: Choose accommodations and activities that support local communities and economies, ensuring that your travel positively impacts the people and places you visit. By integrating sustainability into incentive travel programs, we can not only reward and motivate our teams but also contribute to a more sustainable future for our planet. Let's make every trip an opportunity to inspire positive change and protect the Earth we call home. 🌍💚 #EarthDay #IncentiveTravel #Sustainability #EcoFriendlyTravel #CarbonOffset #ResponsibleTravel #SustainableTourism #GreenTravel #CorporateResponsibility #EmployeeRewards #Motivation #SustainablePractices #TravelWithPurpose SITE | Benoit Sauvage __________________ Hello’ I’m ⚡️Nitin Sachdeva 🚀 Click my name + follow + 🔔 I help B2B Travel Businesses Leverage Automation & AI for Growth🔥 Want to know more? Hit me up ✅ __________________ #growth #beingready #network #mentorship PS: Over 900+ travel businesses have already utilized the India Ready Scorecard to evaluate their readiness for entering the Indian market. This essential tool offers insights and guidance tailored to maximize your market entry strategy. Are you prepared to capitalize on new growth opportunities in India? ➡ https://lnkd.in/g4DK2Mrj

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Modern travelers seek more than just accommodation for the night; they crave a distinctive experience coupled with cutting-edge technology and an eco-conscious setting. Dive deeper into this topic in the full article below. #ovolohotels #technologhyinhotels #sustainability

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Shiji Digital PayBy solves an age-old issue for hotels… How to receive payments remotely in a secure manner for: deposits for conferences and events, prepayment of accommodation or other hotel services, and purchase of gift cards/vouchers etc.   - Shiji Digital PayBy securely captures credit card details or collects payment from a guest via a link sent by Email or Text or published on a landing page. - A fast, secure, and compliant way to collect card details and payments worldwide. - With PMS integration the payment or refund is automatically posted to your PMS. Requires no manual entry. - All payments are processed via eCommerce channels and include the latest 3D secure (PSD2) as well as Fraud screening   #Shiji #pms #Hotelmanagement #Hospitalitymanagement #hospitalitytechnology #Hoteltechnology #Hotelpayments

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Improving User Experience in Independent Hotel Websites  Our team has recently conducted a GX design test, a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to enhance user experience on the accommodations landing page. Here are the key takeaways:  Room Selection: While all room cards are conveniently listed, the lack of detailed visuals and carousel format makes it challenging for users to decide if a particular room is the right one for them. Availability: Checking room availability requires navigating to a separate booking engine, which interrupts the user journey and adds complexity. Budget Clarity: Real-time rate information is missing, hindering users' ability to filter options based on budget. Improving these aspects can enhance user satisfaction and booking efficiency.  #UXDesign #HospitalityIndustry #UserExperience #DigitalTransformation #HotelMarketing

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Improving User Experience in Independent Hotel Websites  Our team has recently conducted a GX design test, a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to enhance user experience on the accommodations landing page. Here are the key takeaways:  Room Selection: While all room cards are conveniently listed, the lack of detailed visuals and carousel format makes it challenging for users to decide if a particular room is the right one for them. Availability: Checking room availability requires navigating to a separate booking engine, which interrupts the user journey and adds complexity. Budget Clarity: Real-time rate information is missing, hindering users' ability to filter options based on budget. Improving these aspects can enhance user satisfaction and booking efficiency.  #UXDesign #HospitalityIndustry #UserExperience #DigitalTransformation #HotelMarketing

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Summer Travel - not as easy as it seems. Summer travel has been a much-awaited event for many of us, but is the travel industry ready to handle the surge in travelers? After facing the pandemic-induced hurdles, businesses are now grappling with the challenge of not having enough employees to fulfill critical roles, which has a domino effect on other sectors. Airlines are a prime example of this, with a shortage of planes to meet the demand of travelers. Retiring older aircraft during the pandemic has left many airlines, including Southwest and Delta, without enough planes to sustain their business models in 2022 and 2023. Even well-known airlines such as Air Canada are reducing flights to specific islands in the Caribbean due to a lack of planes. Businesses have learned to cope with fewer employees or convert to AI, but for those that don't have AI, finding the workforce to complete the work is proving to be a challenge. As the saying goes, "you are damned if you do and damned if you don't." It's a worldwide pandemic of human mistakes, causing blockages and issues in the hospitality, airlines, and management sectors. Work harde and work better together no longer seems to be there anymore! #travel #costs #issues #blockages #hospitality #airlines #management #employees https://lnkd.in/e5p8yPa8

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What hotel procurement tactics can you take to uplevel your room service experience for guests? 🍽️ Source local ingredients unique to the city. 🍽️ Invest in sleek and sophisticated serveware that adds a touch of elegance to the dining experience. 🍽️ Leverage technology like in-room tablets or mobile apps to modernize the room service experience and streamline the ordering process. 🍽️ Partner with suppliers who offer creative packaging solutions and eye-catching presentation options. By implementing these procurement tactics, you’re sure to create a memorable room service experience that will keep guests ordering more. #procurement #hotels #hospitality

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Grow silently…also, a seed grows over a long period of time. A tree falls in an instant. It’s a journey, enjoy and embrace the journey because if it falls, it falls fast. #Journey #EmbraceTheProcess

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EIH is shining Diamond in Hotel Sector * Policy shifts under new government unlikely to affect hoteliers much * EIH merits attention amid market fall * The company has robust expansion plans * The stock valuation looks attractive The hotel industry will be least affected by any shift in policy priorities or a slowdown in capex following the uncertainty related to the government formation. Hence, we have picked EIH Limited as a quality stock to be bought during the current market fall. Healthy demand momentum; supply growth to lag: With increasing preference for travel, rising air traffic & better connectivity as well as revival of foreign tourist arrival, the demand momentum is expected to remain strong. While the demand momentum is strong, supply is expected to lag, leading to a sustained pricing improvement as well as profitability for hotel players over the next few years. Strong expansion plans: With a healthy balance sheet (debt free), EIH has lined up aggressive expansion plans. EIH plans to more than double room inventory by FY2030 and will pursue both ownership and the management contract routes for the planned inventory addition. Apart from new inventory addition, EIH plans to renovate existing properties which will drive growth. Stock correction and valuation: EIH's stock has corrected by about 20 percent over the past two months. At the CMP, the stock is trading at an EV/EBIDTA of 20 times FY2026 projections. Investors can add the stock. https://lnkd.in/d5SxUEWK

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