Monitoring and Modeling Hot Water Consumption in Hotels for Solar Thermal Water Heating System Optimization

In this study, hot water consumption was monitored at two hotels in Boone, North Carolina. A typical hot water profile was created for each hotel, and the profiles were then used to size a solar thermal water heating system for each of them. The systems were modeled and optimized with TRNSYS 16. Then, the effect of altering the hot water draw profile on solar thermal system performance was investigated. The effect of hotel occupancy on hot water consumption was also explored. The optimal collector tilt angle (a few degrees below latitude) and collector flow rate (1 to 1.5 gpm per square foot of collector area) are similar to the values found in literature, but it was found that the optimal flow rate decreases with increasing collector area. The optimal storage volume was found to be 3 to 4 gallons per square foot of collector area, which is roughly twice the size recommended for residential solar thermal water heating systems. The hot water draw profile was found to have little effect on a properly-sized system’s life-cycle savings (2.7 to 3.8 percent). No correlation was found between hotel occupancy and hot water consumption

The Use of Twitter by Luxury and Midscale Hotels

Twitter has demanded a presence in company brands since its start up in 2008, including the hotel industry. As an up and coming marketing tool, the social media website is still new to both hotels and their guests. Observing the different strategies incorporated by luxury and midscale hotels, the paper provides explanations on how these two segments differ in utilizing Twitter. Through direct interviews with US luxury and midscale hotels and analyzing individual Twitter feeds, it was found that luxury hotels and their target market are much more active on Twitter than the midscale hotel segment. Implications suggest that although there is no current expectation from midscale hotel travelers to follow a Twitter feed, the rising presence of Twitter will demand midscale hotels to actively participate on the social media site in the near future

Social Media Use and Best Practices by Convention and Visitors Bureaus

This study took an in-depth look at the social media utilization and best practices of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) in selected mid-size Texas cities. Although there has been much social media research related to the tourism industry, little has been focused on local CVBs. Semi-structured interviews were administered with the marketing and/or social media directors at ten participating CVBs. Content analysis was performed on the Facebook and Instagram posts published by the participating CVBs during the time period of April 15 to May 15, 2018. Various statistical analysis procedures were run on the resulting content analysis data, and many patterns and relationships were found, many of which correlated to subthemes found in interviews. When various social media tactics were analyzed in relation to levels of engagement, including the number of likes, comments, or shares on posts, it was found that some tactics lead to higher or lower engagement levels

Strategic match and effects of competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strategy on hotels performance: The catalyst for economic growth of a nation

This research investigated the causal relationship of competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strategy on organizational performance of hotels in Malaysia. Specifically, this research considered competitive strategy (business strategy) as an independent variable, market orientation and innovation strategy (functional strategies) as mediating variables and their causal implication on performance. The theoretical framework of this study used dynamic capabilities, strategic implementation, hierarchy of organizational strategies and synthesis of the similar characteristics of each strategy. Out of a total 475 set of questionnaires which were distributed to top and middle managers of three- to five- star hotels’ in Malaysia only 114 or 24% were usable. The data were analysed through simple linear regression, multiple regression, the Sobel test and the bootstrapping test. Specifically, this research analysed the hypotheses based on a sample size of 54 for cost leadership strategy, competitor orientation and process innovation while, a sample size of 60 was used for differentiation strategy, customer orientation and service innovation. The causal relationship among competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strategy was found significant in both sample sizes. The causal relationship among competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strategy on organizational performance was found significant when tested with specific sample sizes of 54 and 60 but was found insignificant with a combined sample size of 114. Importantly, competitor orientation and process innovation mediated cost leadership and performance nexus, while customer orientation and service innovation mediated the differentiation and performance nexus. This study shows the specific strategic match of competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strategy on performance. It also provides some theoretical contribution to the strategic management theory by expanding the strategy and performance nexus. Moreover, this research provides pertinent information to top and middle management to make better strategic decisions and strategy execution, especially in shaping specific competitive strategy, market orientation and innovation strateg

Approaches to Using e- and m-Business Components in Business

This paper discusses using e- and m-business components in supporting and enhancing existing businesses and in creating new business innovations. A framework illustrating two different approaches companies have to adoption of e- and m-business components is proposed. Three cases of how Finnish companies have, in an innovative way, used e- and m-business components to support, to enhance, and to launch businesses are presented. Based on the illustrative framework and the cases, some rules of thumb for using e- and m-business components in business are proposed. The aim of this paper is to offer managers helpful insights for planning e- and m-business component investments.e-Business; m-Business; Business Models; Case Studies

Energy-Efficient Solutions: A Study of Electrical Installation Advancements in Hong Kong’s Existing Commercial Buildings

This project, sponsored by Business Environment Council Limited (BEC) in Hong Kong, developed a list of technologies recommended to increase the energy efficiency of Hong Kong’s commercial buildings, and identified barriers to the adoption of energy-saving technologies. Information was gathered through desk-based research as well as interviews with building and hotel managers, property developers, technology developers and suppliers, and energy advisory consultants. The team provided BEC with the list of technologies along with their overall descriptions, cost and energy data, case studies, and explanations of advantages and disadvantages. This information will feed into a larger BEC project to create an informational guide to assist in the overall uptake of sustainable technologies

Strategic marketing plan for Hill View Guest Centre, Abokobi

Applied project submitted to the Department of Business Administration, Ashesi University, in partial fulfillment of Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, April 2019Hill View Guest Centre, formally known as International Student Guest Centre, is a 3 star hotel located in Abokobi, Ghana. The expected outcome of increasing patronage as a result of the change in name remains unaccomplished. To help Hill View Guest Centre address this problem, a qualitative needs assessment was conducted to identify the needs of the hotel which happens to be low patronage; even after the change in their name. The data collection methods used were semi-structured interviews, internet research, observation, and focus group interviews. The study confirmed the challenge of attracting and retaining customers and the resulting decline in the purchase of almost all of the hotel’s services including rooms, and its effects on Hill View’s revenue. The study revealed the absence of a targeted and appropriate strategic customer acquisition plan to match the new image of the hotel after the name change. Secondary research conducted using scholarly articles indicated that a strategic marketing plan is one key approach to controlling and retaining 75% of an organization’s target market (Nwabuibe, 2014). Since Hill View Guest Centre aims to expand its customer base and improve brand awareness for its new image, a corresponding strategic marketing plan is needed. The objective of the project was to use the outcomes of the needs assessment conducted on Hill View Guest Centre to develop a strategic marketing plan based on the SOSTAC planning model. The components of the proposed model are Situation Analysis, Objective, Strategy, Tactics, Action, and Control. This model was selected because of its ability to thoroughly address customer acquisition challenges as a broad strategy within marketing and branding. Thus, the strategic marketing plan will serve as a guide to enable the hotel to increase brand awareness, customer base and improve sales.Ashesi Universit

The Effects of Social Media in the Hotel Sector: A report for WinHotels

Social media usage is expanding in all age groups and across all socio-economic groups. This means it has become the focus of much attention from businesses looking to use it as a way to increase awareness of their products or services. The purpose of this report is to look at how social media is affecting the hotel business and whether Win Hotels should be using social media as a marketing tool. It offers the opportunity to engage with hotel guests before during and after a stay. This engagement provides the hotel with a chance to gain insights into the needs and wants of guests at each stage. Using this information to highlight where improvements could be made to offer better service and showcase the hotel’s willingness to listen and respond to guests. The advantages of using social media are clear: it has the potential to reach large audiences and could generate large amounts of traffic to the WinHotels website. The downsides of a mishandled campaign are the speed and ease with which damage to a brand can happen. This report looks at how social media could benefit WinHotels and where it could fit into its marketing activities. It will also suggest steps that should be taken in order to set expectations and provide recommendations on how to model a campaign incorporating the use of social media