by Steve Short | Apr 11, 2025 | Frictionless Guest App Posts, Frictionless Tips
Cookie-cutter travel experiences are a thing of the past. Today’s travelers want more than just a place to stay—they want to be immersed in the local culture. They crave authentic experiences, from hidden gem eateries to one-of-a-kind attractions, and they rely on lodging providers to guide the way.
According to Euromonitor International, 64% of “cultural explorers” seek travel experiences that offer deep engagement with local cultures, while 47% are interested in arts and heritage activities. This means your guests are looking for personalized recommendations that go beyond the typical tourist spots.
To meet these expectations, consider these ways to enhance your guests’ stay:
• Local Dining Delights – Offer a menu featuring regional ingredients or suggest nearby restaurants that showcase the area’s culinary scene.
• Create Unique Hands-on Experiences – By arranging for guests to spend a morning on a local farm or something similar. Feeding cows, harvesting vegetables, learning beekeeping, offers them a rare glimpse into the region’s agricultural life.
• Guest Speaker Events – Invite local artisans, historians, or musicians to share their expertise with guests. Enhance the experience by serving a local dish or beverage.
• Locally Sourced Gift Shop – Stock your shop with handcrafted items, local honey, or other unique souvenirs that reflect the community.
• Provide Insider Tips – Whether it’s the best spot for a sunset or the go-to place for ice cream, guests appreciate recommendations from those who know the area best.
Incorporating unique, hands-on experiences into your guests’ stays can create lasting memories and set your property apart. These immersive activities not only enrich the guest experience, but also strengthen their connection to the local community and its traditions, while increasing the likelihood of return stays.
by Steve Short | Apr 11, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The quiet luxury trend that took off in 2024, where travelers sought more meaningful and authentic experiences, is shifting in 2025. This year, guests are choosing family-owned lodging for the warmth, connection, and comfort it offers.
Family-owned, independent properties are in a perfect position to meet this demand by creating stays that feel like home.
In this episode, Mandy Murry, founder of Hospitality Concierge, discusses how small stays can deliver these high-touch experiences. She also shares her “Undercover Boss”-style approach to consulting and the other trends she’s seeing across the industry.
We’re grateful to Mandy for sharing her insights with us. You can learn more about Hospitality Concierge at thehospitalityconcierge.com.
by Steve Short | Mar 14, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
For independent lodging operators, direct bookings are the ultimate goal. Yet, many struggle with optimizing their online presence to achieve this.
Tarun Goyal, Founder & CEO of Simplotel, discusses how their Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions are helping over 3,000 hotels worldwide improve their booking processes and maximize direct reservations.
Now expanding into North America, Simplotel offers independent properties a better way to increase margins, reduce OTA reliance, and enhance the guest booking experience.
We are very thankful to Tarun for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about Simplotel at simplotel.com.
by Steve Short | Feb 14, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Many owners dream of selling their properties for maximum value down the line. While operational efficiency is key, one critical aspect is often overlooked — marketing.
Chris Kelly, a seasoned consultant at White Stone Brokers, shares invaluable insights on why regularly auditing and optimizing marketing strategies is essential. Not only can this boost your revenue, but it can also significantly enhance your property’s overall market value.
We are very thankful to Chris for sharing his insights with us.
You can learn more about White Stone Brokers at whitestonebrokers.com.
by Steve Short | Jan 31, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
What do the Kentucky Derby, hand-crafted bourbon, southern charm, a vibrant culture of arts, cuisine, and independent lodging all have in common?
Louisville, Kentucky — the host city of the 2025 ALP Conference & Marketplace taking place March 24–27. Sarah Gazi, ALP CEO, provides a preview of what to expect at this year’s conference, which will host 50 educational sessions plus lots of southern-themed networking and fun.
We are very thankful to Sarah for sharing her insights with us.
You can learn more about the 2025 ALP Conference & Marketplace at alplodging.org/conference-marketplace.
by Steve Short | Jan 17, 2025 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Centralized online marketing tools are increasingly essential for independent lodging professionals, allowing innkeepers to focus more on their daily operations.
Data Bing consolidates all marketing efforts and provides robust insights to make better decisions that drive more bookings. Matt Cooke, CEO of Data Bing, shares how this solution can optimize your online marketing.
We are very thankful to Matt for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Data Bing at databingsolutions.com.
by Steve Short | Dec 12, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
Data breaches and cyberattacks are growing challenges for the independent lodging sector, highlighting the need for property owners to safeguard their data.
The right payment processing solutions can help lodging providers save money, streamline operations, and protect sensitive information. Wynn Salisch, Founder of Casablanca Payments, shares insights on payment processing and cyber hygiene.
We are very thankful to Wynn for sharing his insights with us. You can learn more about Casablanca Payments at mpiprocessing.com/wynn-salisch-casablanca-payments.
by Steve Short | Nov 7, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
As the newly rebranded Midwest Association of Independent Inns (MWInns) continues to expand in the region and provide marketing value for its members, the organization is about to kick off its annual conference.
Taking place December 3rd to 5th in Cedar Falls, Iowa, the Midwest Association of Independent Inns Conference & Trade Show will gather industry experts, vendor partners, and other innkeepers to explore issues, challenges, and opportunities to enhance the guest experience.
We are very thankful to Kerri Thiel, Executive Director of MWInns; and Randy Bangs, who is the Board VP Marketing Chair of MWInns, for sharing their insights about the conference with us.
You can learn more about the MWInns at mwinns.com. You can also register to attend the conference at mwinns.com/mwinns-conference-trade-show.
by Steve Short | Oct 20, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
In 2004, when Julie McAferty and her husband Blayne purchased a 1920s-era home in Seattle, WA they did not anticipate the obstacles that they would encounter. From facing cease-and-desist orders to navigating changes in local laws, their perseverance and advocacy for the lodging industry were key to their triumphs.
Overcoming these obstacles early on, helped them master a strategic approach to running their business. As urban lodging owners, it soon became apparent that providing guests with personalized recommendations to local attractions was essential for creating memorable guest experiences.
Their story serves as an inspiring example of how perseverance, local expertise, and advocacy can drive success in the ever-changing world of hospitality.
You can learn more about the Greenlake Guest House at greenlakeguesthouse.com.
by Steve Short | Oct 3, 2024 | Frictionless Innkeeper Podcasts
The challenges of independent lodging professionals can be overwhelming. Sometimes innkeepers need to be reminded to simplify their approach and connect more effectively with guests in order to grow.
Jan Smith, owner of Maple Cove Bed & Breakfast and the August House, shares how she has transformed her business by improving the experience of her guests, streamlining operations, and building stronger relationships with local businesses.
We are very thankful to Jan for sharing her insights with us.
You can learn more about the Maple Cove Bed & Breakfast and the August House at maplecovebandb.com.
