Welcome to New York Hospitality’s room with a view.
2005 ended well though not without its surprises….
The week of Dec 20th delivered a New-York-style eye-opener! No one could have foreseen that the run-up to the holidays would include a 3-day transit shutdown that would cripple businesses, and inconvenience millions of dazed commuters (read shoppers and tourists – because New Yorkers, true to their legendary grit, know how to get around on a magic carpet, if you will!). The worst is over and there’s still time for a little holiday cheer. Preliminary reports of the strike’s impact on the hotel/travel industry don’t tell us much. Like the city itself, the hotel & lodging industry has, in the past, weathered challenges with resilience and a refocussed attitude.
I’d like to take a moment to reflect on the key trends of 2005 – continuing robust occupancy rates, and the predicted shortage of rooms in 2006. How much of this is a good thing for guests and hotels alike?
Like the transit strike’s yet-unquantified impact, hotel industry projections are a function of the general political & economic environment, time of year & the current mood of the travelling public. The only thing constant is New York’s unassailable position as the world’s greatest city and its irresistible allure to tourists, domestic and international.
This blog will discuss my thoughts on the challenges ahead and the opportunity to deliver superior service to a new breed of demanding travellers. Be my guest on this journey through New York’s Hospitality Space