Brand loyalty programs drive a wide range of business to individual hotels; franchisees can count on a loyalty program for as little as 2 percent of booking business to as much as 65 percent, depending on the market. But any business is better than no business, and hotel owners and operators report being overwhelmingly satisfied with the programs they are a part of.

In today's marketplace, brand loyalty is fickle. The antidote the industry has turned to is the loyalty program, and at the heart of a loyalty program rests the simple goal: incentivize customers to stay with a brand.

Loyalty programs have spread to most industries fighting for today's customer: grocery stores, gas stations, retail chains, restaurants and, of course, hotels. But as the old adage goes, nothing in this world is free. Check out H&MM's special report on hotel loyalty programs and what they mean for brands, owners and guests.

Many mobile and wireless applications have debuted recently, most geared toward helping the guest navigate within and around the hotel. Vendors assure hoteliers these services are meant to enhance the traditional concierge, not replace it.

Hotel & Motel Management's 2010 guide to purchasing companies.

As budgets shrank last year and occupancy numbers fell, purchasing managers and buyers had to get smart about their purchases or risk interrupting service for customers who were occupying rooms.

Two areas in the U.S. are dealing with disasters that will have traumatic short-term, and most likely long-term, effects.

When deciding whether to grab the Pringles or the M&Ms out of the minibar, most guests don't research background information, form a hypothesis and analyze the results of the decision. But contrary to the spontaneous actions of the consumer, what products are available for purchase from hotel minibars is in fact an exact science.

A TV mirror demands an audience not only because guests haven't seen a product like it, but also because the placement options put the screen where it will be seen and noticed, especially in public restrooms, restaurants, bars and hotel lobbies.

Guestrooms that include PTACs have some basic constraints that every designer and owner should know.

There's a call to the front desk. A guest returned to her room and noticed personal items missing. What do you do?

While regular coffee is king for meeting guests, there is a subtle shift toward a few healthier, fancier options.

It's good when an amenity is a win-win for the hotel and the guests. Coffee usually is one of those amenities in group and meetings business.

For phone terminal and phone system suppliers, demand from the hotel industry for options varies greatly. Vendors must offer several different models of phones, each targeted toward a different chain scale segment.

According to Ypartnership's 2010 Portrait Of American Travelers, the U.S. leisure travel market has finally stabilized. In fact, the data suggests the industry can expect a modest increase in demand in the year ahead.

Consider borrowing against business cash flow if capital is available at reasonable rates.

PKF-HR is projecting RevPAR to increase by 1.1 percent as a result of an increase in occupancy and a decrease in ADR.

Increase your odds of success by reinforcing training before, during and after the session.

The first step in understanding the business of prospecting is to be sure we know what the term refers to in our hospitality industry. There is so much confusion among hotel properties as to how managers and salespeople interpret the term “prospect.”

Contracts can confound and confuse. As readers of this column already know, language in an agreement is not always what it appears. This can be especially true with insurance contracts. A case in point involves the Luxor Hotel & Casino in the world’s gambling capital: Vegas baby, Vegas.

Branded and independent properties are experimenting with new promotions this summer.