Mixed Signs of Recovery

Finally, I read two pieces of good news today. Both Gaylord Hotels and Wyndham Hotels reported increase in revenue in the 4th Quarter of 2009. Here are some statistics from their 4th Quarter reports:

Gaylord National Resort (a Washington D.C. hotel):
Revenue: $56.8 million, 9.8% increase.
RevPAR: $125.64, up 12.1%.
Other Gaylord properties in Nashville, Orlando, and Dallas posted a quarterly loss of $600,000.
Gaylord foresaw the rebound of meetings and convention business. Overall, its performance is impressive (you may read more discussion about resorts under recession via the following link http://linchikwok.blogspot.com/2010/01/resort-fading-word-in-lodging-industry.html)

Wyndham Worldwide Corporation:
Revenue: $913 million, 2 million increase.
Vacation ownership: increase 3%; Exchange and rental revenue: increase 3%
RevPAR: down 11.9%
Wyndham expected the return of business travels in 2010.

These reports give us some hope, but it seems industry-wide full recovery is still some distance away.

References:
Washington Business Journal: http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2010/02/08/daily47.html?ana=yfcpc
Yahoo!Finance:
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wyndham-profit-beats-rb-251436798.html?x=0&.v=1
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wyndham-Worldwide-moves-to-apf-1306058282.html?x=0&.v=4
Picture was downloaded from: http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-national-details.html#

Comments

Luxury vs. Millennials and Their Technology: The Ritz-Carlton (By Julia Shorr)

Embodying the finest luxury experience, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC has been established since 1983. In 1998, Marriott International purchased the brand offering it more opportunity for growth while being independently owned and operated. They are known for their enhanced service level as the motto states, “Ladies and Gentlemen serving Ladies and Gentlemen”. The luxury brand now carries 97 hotels and resorts internationally and is attempting to keep the aspects of luxury while keeping up with the trends of the technologically improving generations. The Varying Demographics of the Target Market The Ritz-Carlton’s typical target market includes: business executives, corporate, leisure travelers, typically middle-aged persons and elders, and families from the upper and upper-middle class section of society . This infers a large range of types of travelers in which all are similar in that they are not opposed to spending extra for the luxurious ambiance. However, w...

How to Convince AI that You Are the Best Candidate for the Job

Last week, we discussed how more companies used AI to screen resumes and analyze job candidates’ performance in the initial interviews. We called for companies’ attention to the potential AI biases in hiring . This week, we will visit what job candidates can do to help AI pick us and recommend us for hiring. A. Writing a Resume Tailored to AI Screening First and foremost, job candidates must thoroughly research the job and the company to understand its job descriptions and organizational culture. From there, they can: Write the resume in Word and submit it as a Word document instead of a PDF file. Select a straightforward format and avoid using graphics, charts, or complex layouts that could confuse AI. Use headings effectively to help AI pick up the content it seeks, such as “Relevant Job Experience” and “Education.” Strategically pick the relevant keywords that match the job descriptions as the job candidates describe what they perform(ed) at work. Highlight their achievements a...

What Shall We Do When Job Seekers Cheat the AI Hiring Systems?

AI can streamline the hiring process, but concerns linger. For example, AI could perpetuate gender or racial biases in the hiring process , just like most human HR managers could do. Meanwhile, to increase the chances of being picked by AI, job candidates must prepare resumes and job interviews tailored to AI’s “preference.” When more job candidates understand how to convince AI that they are the best candidates for the job , can AI still make valid recommendations to hire the best-fit candidate in the pool? Then, if AI makes a mix of valid and invalid recommendations for hiring, will HR managers find it more challenging to select the right candidate for the job? The situation can get even more complicated if a candidate cheats the AI hiring systems. Cheat to bypass AI screening: Is it the cruelty of human nature? Job candidates are eager to get hired. Career coaches want to help. That is a good thing. Nevertheless, I have seen many free online tutorial videos teaching job candidate...

Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

Search This Blog