Nearly every hospitality business can relate to this one; that grumpy customer who leaves quietly and then vents their frustrations through online channels such as social media or review websites such as TripAdvisor or booking portals such as Trivago.

As a manager or owner of a hospitality establishment, it's hard not to become emotionally invested in your business and in your premises, leaving you open to a less then favourable reaction to a bad review. The best thing to do? Cool down, then publicly respond.

Dougall LoveJune 16, 2015Hospitality News, AdviceComment

Accomnews Article - April arrivals another chapter in tourism’s story of growth

The tourism industry is heading towards an annual arrivals figure of three million, with data in late May showing yet another month of growth in visitor arrivals.

Visitor arrivals for the year ending April 2015 have been boosted significantly by visitors from Asia, and are sitting now at 2.96 million says Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler.

The Statistics New Zealand data sees total arrivals for the year up 6.7 per cent, and holiday arrivals up 9.7 per cent.

Dougall LoveJune 12, 2015Comment

Stuff.co.nz Article - Young chefs showcase skills at 2015 Hospitality Competitions

The NZ Chefs Taranaki/Wanganui Hospitality Competitions, held at New Plymouth's Western Institute of Technology (Witt), brought out around 100 aspiring cooks, front of house staff, baristas, mocktail artists and more for a full-day of action.

Witt Faculty Leader of Trades Angela Ferguson said it was the fourth year the competitions had been held at the institute and students were constantly bringing new skills to the table.

Dougall LoveJune 11, 2015Hospitality, Hospitality NewsComment

In review - New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference 2015

On Thursday (June 4th) I attended the 2015 NZ Hotel Industry Conference at the Langham Hotel in Auckland. This was a very full day of presentations and workshops with over 300 of the country’s hotel manager, senior personnel and suppliers.

Dougall LoveJune 9, 2015Comment

Reach out to your customers with Automatic Marketing Emails

Email marketing is a very effective way to build a closer relationship with your guests and encourage repeat business while selling extra products and services. If you are struggling to find time to communicate with your guests, automation is the answer!

The Automatic Marketing Email module for Clarity Hotel Manager allows the setup of pre-arrival and post-departure emails to engage with your guests. The emails are automatically sent at a scheduled number of days before and/or after their stay.

Dougall LoveMay 29, 2015Clarity Hotel Manager, Clarity Marketing Email ModuleComment

International visitor numbers still on the increase

Compared to the month of April 2014, 2015's International visitor numbers rose a total of 7%. Both Canadian and Indian visitor numbers grew 34% on this time last year, followed closely by a 29% growth in North American visitors, and a 24% growth in Chinese visitors. It seems the hospitality industry is on a high as a result. In order to make hay while the sun shines, make sure your software systems allow you to increase productivity, make the most of your opportunities, and increase profit. If you're not seeing improvements in all three areas, give Clarity a call.

Dougall LoveMay 28, 2015Comment

An example of how a fresh new website can drive revenue

We now consume information online in a very different way than we did a decade ago. More devices, more screen sizes and less want/need to click to find the information you're after has created new standards in web design. Choicehotels.com have seen and reacted to the constantly changing digital landscape.

Dougall LoveMay 27, 2015Website DesignComment

Buoyant tourism industry likely to beat Dairy

According to a Radio New Zealand report on Tuesday morning, Tourism is expected to overtake Dairy as this country’s biggest export earner within the year. This is predicted following the March year tourism figures showing annual growth of 7% with just under 3million international visitors with a spend of 7 billion dollars and predictions of over 4 million visitors and a spend of 11 billion dollars by 2021. Chris Roberts of TIA says “the industry is buoyant after a 3rd consecutive year of growth.”

Dougall LoveMay 26, 2015NZ tourism, Hospitality NewsComment

The best steaks in NZ

Want to know who makes the best cutoff steak in the country? Check out this hospitality business.co.nz article to find out.

The BranderyMay 18, 2015Hospitality NewsComment

$8 billion resort closer to reality

Check out this great hotel management.com.au article on the Aquis Resort. All $8 billion worth of it!

Dougall LoveMay 15, 2015HotelComment

A night in the bush at Waitakere Estate

Check out this NZ Herald article about one of our clients - The Waitakere Estate in Auckland.

Dougall LoveMay 13, 2015Clarity Client, Clarity Hospitality Software Solutions, Waitakere EstateComment

Australian influencers tell their own South Island story

Six Australian social media influencers were given the chance to tell their own South Island story when Tourism New Zealand hosted them on a journey through two of the South's 'Great Journeys' in March. Supporting the ' Every day a different journey' campaign, which was launched in February, the popular Australian influencers got to experience two of the five itineraries featured on newzealand.com, sharing their stories with a combined total of more than 700,000 fans along the way. "We want Australians to know that New Zealand is easy to get around and offers plenty of travel experiences that they won't get at home, and which are quite unique to New Zealand."

Dougall LoveMay 8, 2015New Zealand TourismComment