Brilliant use of social media by independent hotels
The use of social media by hotels is becoming commonplace, but while large hotel chains take their time thinking about strategies and best practices, independent hotel operators are taking great strides to creatively and effectively communicate with their guests.
Cycle-in Cinema, great participatory cinema!
I thought the Rooftop Cinema in HK was fun participatory cinema until I heard about the Cycle-in Cinema! On December 2 and 3, 2012, Magnificent Revolution is featuring a portable pedal powered cinema system at Detour, an offshoot of Business of Design Week, and is inviting the public to participate.
Responsible Hotels - Interview
Interview with Yvette Jong, Sustainable Tourism expert on China, Sustainability and Change
by Responsible Hotels Team, Carlos Buj
From the customer journey to the employee journey
When the option to choose where you can work is increasing, it’s no longer about a hiring experienced managers and employees to operate the hotel.It’s now about ensuring employee values are aligned with those of your brand, and ensuring that the employer-employee dynamic is carefully managed to build strategic and long-term relationships.
Hotel matchbooks will be a thing of the past...
Matchbooks will soon be a thing of the past so you can imagine how excited I was to find vintage matchbooks at a junk shop in Hong Kong on Cat Street! With original logos predating me from the 50s and 60s, even I had trouble identifying some of the hotel brands.
Clever and cheeky customer service tactics
After complaining about bad hotel service at the Honua Kai Resort and Spa, management sent me a certificate for 2 nights in a 2-bedroom suite. Brilliant. A voucher that I can't use.
Chinese drink by the case and buy by the vineyard
Wine is still largely a status symbol in China and while many are learning about the fine qualities of wine appreciation, but it certainly isn't stopping the wealthiest from purchasing vineyards across southern France
My dad pioneered wine pairing with Chinese cuisine
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong asked Twitter followers if they've had extraordinary culinary experiences pairing Chinese food with fine wines. We couldn't resist digging up this 1992 Zachys Gazette article about Sesin Jong, father of Craft House Founder and Director, Yvette Jong, from the archives.
Editing is necessary when trying to reach target audiences
How do you ensure your message isn't lost in communication? When writing the content for your marketing materials, know your audience, and find the right words and language to tell a story that's compelling, genuine, captivating and relevant.
Building better budget brands
Hotels, like any other real estate, are built to make money. And when you're talking about dollars per square foot or heads in beds, budget hotels are the way to go.
When rents skyrocket, adapt & make a statement
What do you do if prohibitive rent prices hold you back from opening a store? You open a pop-up. And what do you do when your landlords increase your rent by 250% to HK$7 million per month (US$900k per month) to let the likes of Abercrombie & Fitch in? You open a pop-up that makes a statement.
It's high time we shift our focus in China
When will our industry realize that what this country really needs are well-designed, well-appointed, sweet, simple, and affordable brands?
Adding value by offering exclusive, but low cost offers
While Regus's Golden Circle is in fact created for their most valued guests, it's a program that anyone and everyone can join - for free - by clicking here. Either way, the tactic is smart. Regus offers free, but seemingly exclusive offers and Regus clients then join the free program and start staying at Shang hotels where they'll get member benefits. It's a win-win-win.