5 Obstacles Every Successful Hotel Provider Must Address
Running a profitable hotel has never been easy, but since the turn of the century hotel providers have had to deal with an increasing number of challenges in order to achieve a continued level of success. Of the many operational and environmental issues they face the list below outlines five of the most important ones they need to overcome. Do this and the chances are their business will do well.1. Occupancy RatesThe global financial crisis has been particularly unkind to the hotel industry. With economic confidence at a very low level many hotels have suffered a dramatic decline in occupancy rates as families and the business community congruently tighten their financial belts. Inevitably there will be casualities as some operators struggle to preserve unsustainable businesses, however the most successful accommodation providers recognise the power of market forces and as such maintain a high level of occupancy by incentivise guests to book a hotel with them by either lowering their prices or offering free nights accoomodation or upgrades.2. InternetThe internet has revolutionised the way consumers make hotel reservations to the point that it is now easier than ever to make a hotel booking, anywhere in the world, at any time of the day. With the growth of the world wide web has come the establishment of a number of hotel booking websites, which in turn has led to increased competition. No longer now are potential guests limited to a handful of recommendations that feature in a holiday brochure or are made from a travel agent. Instead in just a few clicks of a mouse they can access information (in one easy to navigate page/section) about every single hotel in any given city. For instance, if you are looking to book a hotel in New York City you can scout through well over 1000 different options. The challenge for any hotel on this list is how to stand out from the rest of the competition.3. Services, Amenities & FacilitiesThis increase in competition has forced the hotel industry as a whole to reevaluate their offerings. Long gone are the days when the mini bar was the highlight of your room. No, in this age of advanced technology customers expect more bang for their buck than they ever previously enjoyed. Flat Screen televisions, air conditioning, DVD player, complimentary Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations are all being expected by patrons as a standard feature, even for mid ranged establishments. Similarly the most successful hotels have lifted their game in terms of the standard of food their restaurants serve or the state of the equipment on offer in their gyms. Failure to do so in the current climate will render any business dead in the water.4. Guest ReviewsIt used to be that guest reviews were met with a lot of suspicion by the people who read them. But not any more. Nowadays Hotel review sites like Trip Advisor have made it possible to gain a far deeper understanding of what a hotel is likely to be like from the feedback of actual guests who have paid to stay there. Genuine, honest and independent, they are an important factor in the decision making process for booking a hotel. It is not rocket science but those hotels which exceed their guests expectations by offering the best levels of service and amenities get the best reviews.5. Social MediaLike it or not social media is here to stay and like it or not it can also make or break a hotel’s reputation. If a hotel is good, or particularly bad, a quick tweet or status update can let literally thousands of people know. So every hotel operator not only needs to look after their guests but also manage and monitor their social media presence pretty much 24/7.
The Best Site For Cheap Flights – And After Booking There You Get Free Accommodation!
Let’s be sincere from the very beginning. The reader always wants details. The reader is always tired of articles where 5 possibilities are recommended and some general guidance is given… Useless! Let’s go for the exact facts.There are many sites promoted and only a few of them really give something back. Forget about the main engines, they are simply useless, even if many books will tell you to book the flights there. Do you want to know why? Because this guys are affiliates to this programs, and even if they know that the flights there are not the most cheap, they will tell you they are.Unfortunately this game doesn’t work, as people finally discover where the real cheap flights are, so I definitely will tell you to keep apart from there. In any case, let’s go for the real meat. It is one place, possibly known by a lot of people already, but that many others are scared to enter. The name is Sky Auction, and it applies for everybody in the world when it comes to hotels, and only for US and Canada residents for flights and different holiday packages.The funny thing of this site, is that airlines, hotels, and many other travel companies give them a small quantity of places, normally the ones that are expected to be empty in a determined period, and let them sell those places in auctions.You arrive to the site and you will find flights to cross the Atlantic for 1$ and similar impressive prices. Don’t be mistaken, this means that the deadline for bidding is still far away and nobody has placed bids. But at same time, it reminds you that if the option your are looking for is not highly demanded, you will have the chance to get it for less than normal.Just yesterday I saw a 7 days stay in any hotel in the world go to a guy who placed a 101$ bid. The accommodation was going to be a 4 stars hotel. There were some taxes implied totaling 195$, but at same time together with the prize it came a voucher of 100$ for any flight during 1 year. In the end, 101 + 195 – 100 = 196$.And I say all this to then tell you to forget about it. Do you know why? Because there’s one more intelligent way to get the same hotel but only for 140$ and at same time saving a bigger amount with your flights than done in the other way.Fortunately, the site Sky Auction is part of an internet shopping mall where you can register for free, shop up to a quantity of 200$, and get the prize of free accommodation in any 4-stars hotel worldwide for up to 4 persons. The only thing you will pay are the taxes and redemption fees, which total an amount of $140 as said before.So, in the end, the strategy is to register to this site, book your flights at an average 40% discounted tickets, and automatically get your 7 nights accommodation for this 80% discounted price.
Cheap Flights From St Louis – An Overview of STL and Tips on Finding Cheap Airfare
More and more cheap flights from St Louis are popping up all the time. Soon, a new airline company will be offering extremely affordable flights to Europe from Lambert Airport.As it is with any type of traveling, the more flexible you are with your plans, the easier it will be to find a good deal. All you have to do is enter a few criteria into a travel site’s search engine to view all of the available flights and compare the costs.About STL AirportThe Lambert – St. Louis International Airport serves millions of passengers every year. There are more than 250 departures a day to 70 destinations, both international and domestic. Keep in mind that airfare is not determined by the airline itself, but rather by the airlines. Each airline sets its own prices for flights. All major airlines, including Air Canada, Alaska Airlines, Delta, SouthWest, United, etc. Non-stop cheap flights from St Louis are offered to all major cities in the US, as well as Toronto and Cancun.Where to FlySome of the cheapest flights out of the Lambert Airport are to cities like Las Vegas, Tampa, Nashville, and Boston. All regions of the US are covered, whether you want to go out west, down south, New England, or just next door to another mid-western town. Depending on the time of year, you might also find affordable airfare and vacation deals from STL to Cancun, Mexico, or up to Toronto, Canada for a business trip. As mentioned above, flights to Europe will be more affordable in the future as well.The Popular RoutesIn addition to Vegas, a lot of Missourians like to fly to Orlando, New York, Honolulu, Chicago, San Diego, and Miami. If you don’t already have a destination in mind and just want to get away for a weekend, you might want to fly to one of these cities. At least look around online for a bit to see what kind of deals you can find.When to FlyThe destination isn’t the only factor when it comes to finding cheap flights from St Louis. The timing is important as well. If you are on a tight budget, consider flying out in the middle of the week, like Wednesday and Thursday. Unless a major holiday falls on one of those days, you should generally be able to find lower rates. Tourist season at the destination city plays a huge role in airfare, so do a bit of research to find out about the off-season for the cities you’re interested in flying to from St Louis.Whether you’re looking for cheap flights From St Louis for business or leisure, online discounts and coupons are always worth using. The company offers a guarantee that you won’t find lower prices anywhere else.
Choosing The Right Earring Fittings
Pierced or non-pierced earsMany people have their ears pierced because:
they can’t find earrings with unpierced fittings
they find clip or screw fittings uncomfortable
they find pierced earrings more secure.
they prefer the way it looks.
For most, this works reasonably. Some people wear sleepers (when not wearing earrings) to keep the holes open.However, some can’t manage with piercings, either:
because the holes heal amazingly quickly, or
allergies mean that they have a reaction/infection when they are in intimate contact with various metals/finishes
cannot manage with most pierced fittings as they find them
don’t like pierced ears
Looking at earring fittingsThere are an amazing number of ear fittings about, some you see everywhere, some very common in particular areas, some are around but aren’t always easy to find and some are about as rare as hens’ teeth!Options for pierced earsVery common:
Fish Hook This is, is made in one piece with a loop at the front with coil and ball, then curves over in a ‘u’ shape and the long curved tail behind the ear. There are modified versions: Shepherds Crook without the ball or coil, or Balian Hook (wonderful to dance in) which has a longer back wire. These are comfortable so long as the wire is not too thin and the drop is not too heavy. Some versions have a flattened area above the coil. These can be uncomfortable because of the weight is distributed at the top point of the curve, or insecure (badly designed weight-wise) – and need a butterfly/scroll/earnut to secure them.
Ear Posts which come with a butterfly/scroll. These are a straight bar with a ball at the front and usually a loop hanging below the ball. They are considered by their devotees to be more comfortable because they are thicker wire and the weight is evenly distributed across the inside of the ear lobe, and secure because they come with the butterfly.
Kidney Safety wires come with a loop at the front and a hook that wraps around the straight back wire. Very secure, but still have the pressure point from the weight at the top of the wire.
Earhoops (which thread through the ear) – these are much favoured by many, but can be difficult or painful to thread if the end of the narrower wire is sharp. With the earhoops, particularly the larger ones, as with all ‘big’ earrings, there is the danger of clothing catching in them, and the earlobes getting ripped.
Less common:
The Lever Back has a loop at the front with a lever behind it. The whole makes a fat oval shape the back coming down to fit inside the lever behind the ear – Not a quick job to put them in – very fiddly – but a very secure fitting and more comfortable than a fish hook.
The Creole is a smaller heavier hoop with a thin top loop with a hinge at one side and a groove or hollow to fit into at the other side. A fiddly design to put on, not as comfortable as a Shepherds Crook, but secure when on.
The Ear chains or Ear threads, which are either: a fine chain, or a chain with a u’ shaped wire attached to the middle of the chain, or a u’ shaped wire attached to one end of the chain. All have a straight wire thread attached to one end and a loop to the other end . These thread from the straight end and rest with the ‘u’ wire, or chain, in the ear, and any drops on the loop. The threading wire can also go through multiple piercings with a bead hung from each piece of looped chain. For balance the drops or beads have to be light, hence the ear chain is comfortable, but a bit of a performance to insert.
Options for ears that are not piercedFor those who want non-pierced fittings it is important to have the fit secure and comfortable. If the adjustment is done properly you can even bellydance in any of these fittings!
Ear clips are hinged at the base with a loop at the front and an angled back. They come in a variety of forms and sizes.
With a loop there are light small clips, clips with a small pressure point at both front and back, clips with a narrow pressure point at the front and a wide spread behind, and clips with large pressure points front and back. The comfort of each of these varies dependent on the make, but the softer metal clips can be gently eased or tightened with small pliers to get a comfortable fit. The hard metal clips are fine if immediately comfortable, but a pain (sometimes literally) if difficult or impossible to adjust. Try to discuss this with your retailer, it should be possible to get the clips sorted out. At our website designed for you (http://www.designed-4-you.com) we try to ensure that all clips are comfortable or adjusted for comfort.
Without a loop are clips with a pad or claw fit for stones or cabochons to be fitted to. These can come in a variety of styles, from plain modern to Victoriana, the former being the common versions to find. The comments above as to fit also apply to these.
Ear Screws are an ‘u’ shaped fixed size into which the ear lobe is eased, then the screw is tightened behind the ear until a comfortable fit is found. Finding the comfortable fit takes practise, but is possible.
Ear screws with a hinge are perhaps the best of the ear fittings for unpierced ears. The hinge is opened to fit the earring, closed then screwed to the best fit. The advantage of this fitting is that to take the earrings off the hinge is opened and the comfortable position is maintained for the next time the earrings are worn. These are as easy as clips to put on, and have the advantage of fine adjustment.
Earring fittings – what are they made of?Many countries, certainly all those in the EU are required to follow the EU Nickel directive which bans nickel from coming into intimate body contact including earrings for pierced ears.So now, generally earwires and pierced fittings are made from silver or gold plated brass.
Some are given an antique finish
Some are coloured gunmetal or antique copper.
For those who have difficulties with brass plated earrings there are other choices:
Sterling Silver (92.5% Silver),
Vermeil – 24 carat gold plated over Sterling Silver,
9 carat Gold – (37.5% Gold),
Rolled Gold – brass and gold pressed and rolled together at high heat,
Surgical Steel – considered hypoallergenic,
Titanium – for those intolerant to metal fittings,
Which can be obtained at reasonable prices (some are only available as Shepherds Crook fittings).Less common and at more expense:
18 carat Gold
24 carat Gold
Pure Silver
can be found, and in some countries gold-filled ear wires are available.There is usually less choice for non-pierced earring fittings.Commonly available are:
Gold and silver plated brass fittings
Nickel ear fittings (still available for non-pierced ears)
Sterling silver ear screws can be found – at a price
9 carat gold ear screws are even more costly
Sometimes antique silver plated and gold plated brass can be found.
To date we have been unable to find more variety for non-pierced ear fittings but we continue to look.ConclusionThere is then a reasonable choice in ear fittings, and there are some of us around who try to make that choice available.
Gadgets for Men, But Not What You’d Expect
When most people mention gadgets they presume you are talking about the latest mobile phone or super duper 3D TV, but there is so much more to gadgets that most people don’t realise. Gadgets come in all sizes whether it is your new massive 55″ Samsung TV or your little iPod Touch, there are even minute gadgets that you would struggle to see.However there is also another area of gadgets, ones that fit into your pocket or bag and might come in handy on a weekend away, or one that goes on your key ring and helps you at night time, it could even be something as simple as a lighter. Gadgets come in all sizes and values and not everyone seems to know that there is a mass market out there of helpful and handy gadgets for men just waiting to be snapped up.You could be planning a weekend away with loved ones or your next family holiday camping and not know there are some simple gadgets out there that could really be a life-saver for you. Take for instance key ring gadgets, ranging from things like LED lights to multi took kits and even miniature storage devices. You could be away on holiday or camping in the woods and forget your big chunky torch when it gets dark, the pocket key ring torch would be perfect for this occasion. You could even be away swimming in the sea and have no pockets to store any cash, a waterproof cash storage key ring would be the perfect answer.These sorts of gadgets are great because they don’t cost the earth and they will without doubt come in handy at some point in life. Most people don’t even know these types of gadgets exist and when you tell them about one you have got they kick themselves because it would have come in handy for them in the past. Most gadget shops supply items like these but for a greater range you have to search online, most online retailers have a section for small or cheaper gadgets and this when you are likely to find them.If you don’t feel you need one of these now it is definitely worth having a browse on some different websites in your spare time because there is always a gadget out there that will come in handy to everyone at some point in their lives, so getting ahead of yourself will pay off in the future for sure.
The Good, the Bad, and the Not So Ugly Casino Bets
When walking through a casino, you may scratch your head and contemplate, “which game should I play? Maybe the slot machines?” There’s thousands of them enticing you take little spin. “Perhaps a little blackjack?” This game is not your Father’s blackjack any more. It has since evolved into many variants. Considering craps? Those tempting props bets can deplete your bankroll quickly.
Here are some of the best, worst, and not so ugly bets of casino games:
Machines
· The Good – Video Poker.
Learn basic strategy on the Jacks or Better, Bonus and Double Bonus games offering a 5 coin maximum bet. Always check the machine pay tables for one that pays at least 9/1 for a full house, and 6/1 for a flush. These games have over a 98% return and your money may last longer. Do not play those with pay tables less than 9/6.
· The Bad – Penny Slots
Very popular with exciting themes, colorful graphics, and attractive bonus features. However, the return is in the 80% range. Casinos have to hold more because they make less money on them. The hit frequency is about one in three spins but many so called win returns are less than your original wager.
· The Not So Ugly – Traditional 3 Reel Slots
If you positively must play the slots, try the non-progressive 25 cents, 50 cents, or 1 dollar machines that accept a two or three coin maximum wager. (While they’re still around). Returns average about 95%, and when you score a hit, your smallest win will be at least the amount of your original wager.
Tables
· The Good – Traditional Blackjack
Stay with the tables that pay 3/2 for a blackjack, deal from shoes and offer liberal rules such as allowing re-splits, soft doubling, double after split and late surrender. Learn basic strategy first. Avoid the optional side bets.
· The Bad – 6/5 Blackjack
Many casinos have reduced their BJ payout from 3/2 to 6/5. A player can expect three to four BJ’s per hour. Receiving $12 instead of $15 at a $10 table will deplete your bankroll quicker. Another bad bet is playing at a table with a continuous shuffle machine. The hands played per hour jump from about 60 to 80.
· The Not So Ugly – Blackjack Switch
This game is catching on fast. You play two hands at once and are allowed the option of switching the top cards to create better hands. Blackjack only pays even money but the game has some advantages for the player. After the switch is made, basic Blackjack rules apply. You can split, double, etc.
· The Good – Craps: pass line with odds.
There is a reason why this bet is the most popular at the table. When you make an odds wager behind the pass line after a shooter’s point number is established, you will be paid in true odds if the point is made before a seven is rolled. For example, the true odds on numbers four and ten are 2/1. A $10 odds bet would pay $20.
· The Bad – Craps: one roll proposition bets
You have one chance to wager that a certain number will emerge on the next roll. For example, a bet on the two or twelve will pay 30/1 if it hits. Truth is you only have a 1 in 36 chance of winning.
· The Not So Ugly – Craps: wrong betting
A wrong or don’t bettor is a player that bets against the shooter. When a wager is made on the don’t pass bar, the player is hoping that the shooter will roll a seven before the point number. This is called a seven out; all bets lose to the house except the wrong bettor(s). Don’t bettors also have an odds bet option, but they have to lay odds instead of taking them. For example, an odds bet against a point four or ten would cost $20 to win $10.