Water Water Everywhere

The good news is that the recent rains have brought even more abundance to the fabulous waterfalls of California.

And that's it. All the news is good. Beautiful, wondrous, and good.

There's Always the Back Door

Google's quest to dominate online travel continues.

And so do the rumors as each step receives increased scrutiny.

What do I think? I think if they can't get in through the front door, they'll just go around back.

In fact, it seems that's part of the plan.

Not All Likes Are Alike

Tnooz has a great post up illustrating some of the problems that can be created with overzealous use of social media by innkeepers. Do go on over and read the whole thing.

I don't always agree with the folks at Priceline on the many marketing choices available to innkeepers. But in this case I do have to agree that there are an awful lot of charlatans out there when it comes to consultants pushing innkeepers into social media.

And as most innkeepers who have attended any conferences lately have seen, go to 3 workshops and you'll learn 3 contradicting methods for making it all work. One says do this, the next says do that. The next one says don't do any of this or that.

What's an innkeeper to do? Pay attention, follow your instincts, and don't stretch yourself too thin.

Just because everyone else is doing it doesn't mean you have to do it. And it doesn't mean they're getting more guests from it either.

Facebook offers many possibilities for friends to stay in touch. But it is my personal opinion that what it offers to innkeepers in terms of marketing to guests is much more limited.

In fact, if it goes bad, it just might go the other way.

The Season of Rushing Waters

George Carlin used to say that California had 2 seasons: mud and fire.

And sometimes it would be hard to argue with the brilliance of that simple analysis.

But truth is, there's a lot in between. And as much as we all remain vigilant here about the dangers that rushing waters bring, they also bring with them some of the year's most brilliant possibilities.

Right now, cascades are flowing to perfection. Stream beds that will dry completely by midsummer are now rushing by to the delight of ferns, redwoods, and rare flowers that only grow here.

It is without a doubt the most glorious time to visit the state. Don't miss it.

It Seems That Good Has Become A Relative Term

It's all good, according to the press release.

And it is. If you're a guest looking for bargains, that is.

For innkeepers, well, the good news is a little bit harder to find.

Hotels.com released its report of current rates in the Hotel Price Index (HPI).

The good news? Rates are up.

How high? How does up to the same level as 2004 sound?

No that didn't sound so good to me either. Seems we've rounded that corner all over again. Right back up to the same levels we were at 7 years ago.

Somebody please wake me when folks start talking sense again.

Happy Spring

Spring tides, super big moon, new flowers bursting open everywhere.

Yes, finally, it's spring.

Hallelujah.

Wow

Tonight's big moon will be quite the event.

Deck chairs here stand at the ready with great hope for a break in the cloud cover.

Wishing you and your guests clear skies to enjoy the magic of a rare night and a moment of quiet awe.

Yes Those Clouds Do Look Radioactive

But I'm pretty sure they're just your run-of-the-mill spectacular clouds that we see here all the time.

For folks looking to escape all the radiation cloud blues, why not try the Wizard of Oz Singalong at the Castro Theatre?

Wizard of Oz Singalong? Oh yes, there is such a thing and oh yes, it's coming to the Castro.

Seriously now. Could there possibly be a better cure than to sit in the Castro Theatre surrounded by a bunch of folks dressed up as Dorothy, the Tin Man, and friends while singing along to the Wizard of Oz?

Surely that's a recipe for laughing til you cry no matter where those clouds touch down.

And the best part? The good folks at 7X7SF are giving away tickets!

Let it out. Let it in. And send those clouds somewhere over the rainbow.

And Say an Avé There for Me

Wishing all the luck and blessings of my ancestors for the people of Japan today.

Everyone's Doing This, Right?

Over the past few years, innkeepers have heard more and more about their responsibilities to safeguard the credit card information of their guests. PCI compliance issues have been spelled out, innkeepers have sometimes been required to sign-off on meeting those standards, articles have been everywhere.

And yet the fear remains that some innkeepers still aren't doing all they can to protect guest data.

Yesterday an Immediate Action Alert was sent out jointly by AHLA, HFTP, and HTNG to all of their members about organized cyber attacks on hotel security. The threat is very real and ongoing everyday.

What's notable about the alert is that it identifies 3 key steps that need to be taken by the innkeeper - not by vendors - to protect data.

Why is that important? Well, I know I frequently hear innkeepers say that it's not their responsibility to protect credit card data, that their vendors are supposed to take care of that.

But here's the thing. Vendors can't protect data if innkeepers are sloppy at maintaining cyber security themselves. This alert, quite correctly, lays that responsibility squarely at the innkeeper's feet.

What should innkeepers do? The alert focused on three key areas:

Default passwords (eliminate ALL of them)

Remote access vulnerability (a very big issue for small inns)

and maintaining a good Firewall.

All obvious, right? One would sure hope so. If your inn is still vulnerable in any of these areas, I strongly recommend that you make some immediate changes.

Cyber thieves are targeting the hotel industry because they know our weaknesses. Don't let them get your guest data.

Cookie Day

Rain here all day and you know what that means.

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies.

Hope all is sweet and safe and warm in your world, too.

And The Beat Goes On

Between the light in the distance and the path in the foreground lies the San Andreas fault in one of its more vulnerable spots. Sometime in the next 25 years or so this spot will move 20 feet North, leaving an entirely different view in its wake.

Even as we are all glued to the teevee and ever newer and more devastating images of the situation in Japan, one can't help but be reminded of the everyday blessings of our beautiful planet.

We have light rain here today in Northern California but it's a gentle rain that is much appreciated by the emerging flowers and the thick green grasses that now cover the ground.

Wherever you are, I hope you find a moment to pull away from the troubles, just long enough to enjoy a world filled with wonder.

Along with a healthy dose of appreciation for the fragility of it all.

A Moment

Whatever beliefs you hold dear, I hope you'll find time for a moment of silence to honor all those who were lost in Japan and all the lives impacted by those losses.

Here along the fault line on the edge of the western frontier, we ready our earthquake kits and pray.

Pray that we'll be ready when the earth moves under our feet. Pray for the fishermen among us who have suddenly lost their livelihoods. Pray that we'll recognize and honor the vast bounty of humanity and kindness in each moment before us. And pray that we'll be ready to meet our maker when our moment comes.

May whatever prayers you offer bring you solace. And may all the souls who left this world so suddenly find their way to peace.

Time Waits For No One

Daylight savings time starts tomorrow in the wee hours of the morning.

Be sure to remind guests.

Unless, of course, you're okay with everyone checking out an hour late.

No, I didn't think so either.

Time To Get Ready

Here along the coast of California, it's been a morning of watching and waiting and hoping.

Seems most of that hoping part worked out for the best for a lot of us. But not for all.

It could have gone the other way. And, worse still, it seems many folks in California still aren't ready for the possibility of tsunamis. Some communities know the drill; they've been hit before.

Many have a drill but don't know just what it means.

I lived for awhile in a beach community that had a tsunami warning go off as a drill every day at noon. Every day. And yet the evacuation plan for most of us was head uphill. With not a whole lot of roads leading uphill and those that are being really narrow and winding roads, well, that's probably not the best plan. Where uphill? Where will we meet if separated? If the tsunami comes at noon will we all think it's a drill?

What's an innkeeper to do? Especially in California where all kinds of disasters are possible.

Get ready, that's what. When disaster hits, you'll have an inn full of guests who won't have a clue where to go or what to do. Like it or not, they'll be turning to you for guidance.

What can you do to get ready? To start, you can get CERT training. It's free in some communities and in those that do have a cost associated with it, it's a small price to pay. I'm CERT trained myself and glad to have my backpack with vest, hard hat, and basics ready to go. But I'm especially glad to know how to help out if needed, in whatever small way I can.

After CERT? The Red Cross offers Shelter Management training on a regular basis and I highly recommend that innkeepers attend. You just never know when your inn may be sheltered in place or need to serve as a community resource.

Not sure just how to get started? No problem. The Red Cross offers free readiness assessments so you can find out for yourself just how ready you are - and just what you need to do to get ready.

We were lucky this morning. Next time, we might need more than luck. We might need to be ready.

When Room Rates Fly

Jones Lang Lasalle predicts that hotel sales will start to soar as room rates soar.

We're in agreement on that. When room rates start to fly, so will sales of lodging properties.

Of course, the only real question is just when that will happen.

As regular readers know, I do think properties will begin to move this year, even briskly in some areas.

Will room rates soar in 2011? Sadly, no, I don't actually see that happening.

But when you see those room rates flying, you'll know property sales will be right behind them.

Spring has Sprung

California's hills are green, birds are chirping everywhere, flowers are just starting to burst forth.

Yes, it looks like Spring is here. Why on earth aren't you?

International Women's Day

Hope your day includes at least a moment of contemplative time to reflect on all of your own accomplishments (or those of the women close to you) and to honor the ongoing struggles of women everywhere.

If you're looking for some inspiration, take a peak at this round-up of adventurous women, courtesy of the good folks at National Geographic.

Get Smart

Or at least get smarter.

That's the plea of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to governments with their recently released report, Economic Impact Research for 2011 to 2021. WTTC asks policy makers to consider the economic impact of tourism and its power to improve GDP and employment. In fact, they tell us:

"While economic growth going forward faces many challenges, the Travel & Tourism industry is still expected to be one of the world's fastest growing sectors,"

I don't doubt that tourism will grow very very quickly as the economy recovers. After all, the way down was quite the precipitous drop. While the valley floor offers many surprises, most of us are ready to head back up, thank you very much.

But for any policy makers out there listening: a little help from our friends would be oh so very nice.

Those uphill steps are not nearly as easy as they look.

Perfect Weekend Shaping Up

All kinds of migrations going on here.

Hope all is in alignment in your world, too.

Or at least moving in the right direction.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Good Question

Another great question from Patrick Landman over at Tnooz who asks why are hoteliers scared of revenue management.

Patrick says revenue management should be applied to all inns, regardless of size and I wholeheartedly agree.

So what is the basis of the fear? With small inns, it's often fear of upsetting the apple cart in their own very very small world of fellow innkeepers. It's tightly knit world with enforced mores and often questionable advice. But it's their world.

Do I think a 20% increase in RevPAR is as doable as Patrick believes? Oh yes, without a doubt. In fact, in most cases, I'd say that's a lowball estimate for small inns. Most small inns are classic underachievers.

When innkeepers don't implement sensible revenue management plans they hinder their inn's success, their family's ability to save for a future time when innkeeping won't be an option for them, and keep themselves squarely in line for a burnout. The realistic selling price of their inns are immediately impacted by revenue that is significantly lower than could be achieved.

Quality of life issues reign supreme in a small inn with low rates and an inflexible rate structure.

And yet, the fear that Patrick cites at the core of that failure is very very real.

What are they afraid of? Your guess is as good as mine but that fear is as real for them as the obvious shortcomings of their revenue management plan (or lack thereof) are to a casual observer.

By the way, those lost dollars in that 20% being lost by most small inns? They're gone. Not coming back.

Baby Steps Baby Steps

In beginning the work of building a responsive customer care team, at least TripAdvisor is moving in the right direction.

Why That Due Diligence Thing is So Important

The good folks at Hotel Law Blog have a post up with some simple but critical considerations for anyone hoping to snap up one of the bargain properties out there.

The main takeaway is all about due diligence, especially with regards to ADA requirements and the ever-present possibility of ongoing investigations.

Because, I am sorry to have to say, some inn owners aren't truthful about the problems with their properties. Desperation breeds a lot of things. Honesty is not generally one of them.

And if it's bank-owned, the new owners may not even know what's required much less go beyond what the law demands that they disclose. Which is not much.

Don't buy a lawsuit. Do your homework. And get a good attorney to help you in assessing your decision.

See how easy that is?