Linchi Kwok, Ph.D.

The outlook for U.S. #tourism for #2015: Will strong #dollars affect the industry? @WSJ Check http://ow.ly/KZO8J for the article and http://ow.ly/KZPuw for the video (interview) Posted by Linchi Kwok, Ph.D. on Monday, March 30, 2015

“Make everyone feel comfortable being who they are, everywhere they travel” (“Whoever You Are, Wherever You Go”, para. 1). This phrase has become a slogan for a number of Marriott hotels during the last year. The essence of the chosen ad campaign is to support the ideas and choices of the same-sex couples. Marriott decided to cooperate with a famous photographer, Braden Summers, and introduce certain powerful images of gays, lesbians, transgender representatives, and bisexuals as evidence that cannot be neglected. Several popular models, like Jason Collins and Geena Rocera, were invited to the campaign. It helped to attract many tourists from different parts of the world and make them choose Marriott as a hotel to stay in. However, a question takes place – whether the chosen approach is effective enough not to frighten away those consumers, who cannot understand or accept the role of same-sex relations. About advertising Marriott pricing strategies are usually based on promotions ...

The annual Hospitality Career Expo in the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona will take place between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Feb. 19. There are 68 companies participating in this event. If a student wants to meet with the managers or recruiters from every single company on the list, he or she would only have three minutes or less for each one. Then, how can a job seeker or a student stand out from the crowd and hopefully secure a job/internship offer? I share some tips on MultiBrief . They are: Study and rearrange the company list. Group the companies into three categories of "dream employers," "potential employers" and "employers with not much interest." Focus on the "dream employers." Prepare 30+ copies of resumes. Purchase a portfolio. Purchase a nicely-cut business outfit. The key is to have nice dress that fits. No need to carry any designer's accessories. Maintain a "clean...

Earlier this month, I attended the 20th A nnual Graduate Education & Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism (also known as Graduate Conference ).  It was a very successful conference, featuring 145 stand-up presentations and 186 poster presentations over a three-day period.  Yet, it was just like one of the many academic conference I have been to, I feel this is something missing.  I ask myself:  Poster Presentation at the 20th Graduate Conference A re academic researchers trapping themselves in producing "scientific" research? Have our industry partners provided adequate support to academic programs in research and product development? Why hotels do not use academic research in product development? (As what is suggested by this CNBC report about Marriott). Where is the place for interdisciplinary research in hospitality and tourism (e.g., working with other scholars in architecture, interior design, fine arts and civil engi...

--> I attended both IHMRS (International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show) and BDNY (Boutique Design Trade Fair) this year with 15 students, faculty, and staff from the Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona . Being a five-time attendee of IHMRS since 2009 and a professor who often shares hospitality trends and industrial updates, I paid special attention to new products and ideas that were different from those in the past. Guess what new products and ideas I found?       +Cal Poly Pomona  Students Attended the +IHMRS 2014 in +City of New York   Fewer e-commerce sites, OTA sites, or mobile app developers attended IHMRS than before.  TV mirrors are here.  Green practices will stay.  "Special" textiles will be used for a variety of purposes and facilities.  Preserved vertical gardens help businesses keep the beauty of plants but require no maintenance. +DrainWig is helpful in solving the clogging issues ...

Is there anything technology can't do?  Recently, Marriott launched the #GetTeleporter campaign , taking us to a virtual vacation.  What business applications do you see from the teleporter?  Will people buy in this concept?  Tell us what you think. 

The Aloft Hotel is testing a robotic butler concept in the Cupertino, California location.  The chain has no intention to replace any service staff at this point and is planning to bring more "botlers" (robotic butlers) to other Aloft Hotel if the concept proves to be successful. In general, I believe technology can enhance customer service, but at the same time, technology may also minimize the real human interactions among customers and staff.  So, is it a good thing when hotels use machines to serve people? Do customers have a saying on how they will be served (by a real human or by a robot)? With those thoughts in mind, I wrote two articles on MultiBriefs.com . I believe machine serving people has become a reality , but at the same time, there will be a variety of options (brands) in the future to meet different needs from customers. Customers will be able to choose a hotel that uses machines or uses real human being for customer service . In your opinions, to which...