February 2018 – Hospitality Management Degrees

What is a Diploma in Culinary Arts?

Would you like to run your own restaurant or be the executive chef of a major hotel anywhere in the world, create your own catering business, or work in food research and development for a major corporation? A diploma in culinary arts will increase your knowledge, skills and abilities in all areas of the food and drink industry, and do so in a short period of time. Whatever your personal goals may be, a diploma in the field will enable you to develop a successful career path as any type of food specialist within the hospitality industry. A culinary diploma may be perfect as a gateway to advance your career.

What Is a Diploma in Culinary Arts?

Diploma programs offer students the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of culinary arts, pastry arts, and hospitality as well as to learn the core culinary and associated skills required to work in the top professional kitchens, restaurants, and hotels in the world.

A good program will prepare you to handle all service operations related to the field of hospitality and the wide array of career opportunities available within the food industry. These types of training programs are aimed at not only developing the practical skills needed of a culinary professional but also the technical and supervisory management skills. Indeed, learning to create a great dish is only one aspect in a culinary arts program as students also learn to work independently, develop leadership qualities, and communicate effectively—all essential skills that will enhance your credentials and make you very desirable to companies in the hospitality industry. Basically, courses in Culinary Arts examine all facets within the hospitality industry including positions at top restaurants, hotels, first class holiday resorts, airlines, and cruise ships.

There are different educational path preparing students for careers in the culinary arts and you may choose among the most common options:

Culinary Arts Accelerated Certificate Program
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Bachelor’s Degree in Culinary Arts

Additionally, most culinary schools (check out our ranking here) offer an array of specializations including Oenology, baking and pastry Arts, regional cuisine, international cuisine, farm-to-table, specialized technology in culinary arts–the list is endless. These degree programs can be completed in anywhere from 6 months to 4 years, depending on the amount of time you are able to devote to your studies and if you are opting for the fast-track route or a traditional four-year program. Whatever program you decide on, it will assist you in becoming a more competitive candidate and will help you further your professional objectives.

Curriculum of Culinary Diplomas

Depending on the level of training you seek, you have a few program options to choose from:

Certificate in Culinary Arts

Takes less than two years to complete and prepares participants for entry-level positions in a professional kitchen. This type of certification will equip you with the basic skills to work as a line cook, saute cook, and garde manger.

Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts

The most popular program among aspiring chefs. It usually takes around two years to complete and will also include general education in math, English, and skills that promote team cooperation such as communication and interpersonal skills. You will also become familiar with the cooking equipment, learn basic knife skills, and sanitation.

Interested in getting an associates in culinary arts? Many hospitality management programs offer specializations in kitchen management. Check out our ranking here.

Bachelor degree in Culinary Arts

Offers skill-focused training through theory and practical applications and will teach students how to excel in the culinary arts, but of course this is a full-fledged 4-year bachelor’s program, so the curriculum will cover much more. The aim of this type of degree is to offer participants who wish to begin working at a supervisory level within the industry a comprehensive hospitality management education. Thus, you will basically learn how to run a kitchen from the ground up while gaining general management skills. This type of training focuses on teaching students a wide selection of courses on fundamentals from basic knife skills and cooking methods to the best French culinary techniques. Participants not only graduate with cooking fundamentals but also knowledge and abilities that employers value most such as organizational skills, communication skills,and team building. Although students spend most of their time learning how to prepare food, the curriculum also addresses general management skills including: accounting, leadership foundations, marketing, communication skills, and entrepreneurship.

Regardless of the program, in addition to learning about food preparation and what it takes to manage a kitchen, curriculum may also touch on health and sanitation requirements, cost management, food purchasing, selection and storage, and menu planning and design.

A comprehensive curriculum will generally cover advanced skills, practical restaurant experience, and a wide selection of courses on fundamentals, such as:

Cutting techniques
Preparations and “Mise en Place”
Classical French cuisine techniques
Learn how to make stocks, sauces, stuffings and pastries
Learn different cooking methods
Platters and dishes presentation techniques
Precision and efficiency in a kitchen environment
Master complex methods and techniques

Culinary arts programs may also include an internship at a local restaurant or even a trip abroad.

What jobs do culinary diplomas prepare you for?

Whether you’re looking to advance your career, or start a new one, a culinary diploma is the perfect solution to higher placement. The Culinary and Hospitality industries has proven to be one of the fastest-growing areas of employment, and with a culinary diploma, you can find rewarding career opportunities in pretty much any area of the food industry. There are all kinds of jobs available to culinary school graduates working in all facets of a restaurant: Chef de Cuisine / Executive Chef, Restaurant Owner / Entrepreneur, Restaurant manager, Product Development Manager, Catering company director, Sommelier, and many more.

Additionally, there are many related fields where you can use your culinary expertise other than in a professional kitchen. Personal chef, food journalist, food stylist, food photographer, recipe tester, events management, and marketing specialist are some examples.

Why should I get a culinary diploma?

Most programs mix theory, practice, and real-world learning with the goal of mastering all fundamental techniques as you would in a real-world scenario. This type of intensive and comprehensive training makes it easier to integrate into a professional kitchen later on. You will be introduced to all aspects of hospitality service operations and the wide array of career opportunities available within the industry. In addition to learning the technical and supervisory management skills, you will also acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for a career as a culinary professional. In contrast, it could take years of experience in the field to gain the same level of expertise and you would have to start at the bottom of the ladder.

There are many reasons to go to culinary school, and you may ask yourself if you are considering it for the love of food or for the career itself? You may just be a foodie wanting to improve your skills in the kitchen but for those aspiring to turn culinary arts into a career, a degree in the field will prepare you for a very stimulating career. Since top restaurants have a tendency to recruit from the best cooking schools, a degree in the Culinary Arts provides the highest standards expected by premium establishments. Thus, when you attend the best culinary programs in the country, you have access to better opportunities in the industry as well as higher salaries. More and more TV shows are broadcasting prominent figures from the world of gastronomy and culinary school enrollment has seen a surge in recent years. In today’s reality, television food culture has become extremely popular, and we can even say that celebrity chefs are the new rock stars! Furthermore, 1.7 million new jobs are expected in the food and beverage industry between now and the next 10 years, so employment in the field is pretty much guaranteed.

Another point in favor of school-based learning is that for some individuals, the high-stress scenario of a restaurant kitchen just isn’t a teaching-focused environment. This type of setting is famous for being loud and unpredictable and may not be conducive to learning for some.

Directory of Culinary Diplomas in America

School	Location	Online Offerings	In-Person Offerings	Tuition
The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY	New York, NY	yes/ limited	yes	$17,205/ semester
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in LA	Pasadena, CA	yes	yes	$12,701/ year
Italian Culinary Academy in New York, NY	New York, NY	no	yes	$34900
French Culinary Institute in New York, NY	New York, NY	no	yes	$29,900/ 9months program
New England Culinary Institute in Montpellier, VT	Montpellier, VT	yes	yes	$700 per credit hour
Scottsdale Culinary Institute in Scottsdale, AZ	Scottsdale, AZ	yes	yes	$13,138/ year
The International Culinary School at The Art Institute of Phoenix	Phoenix, AZ	yes	yes	$19,630/ full program
The Art Institute of California	Hollywood, CA	yes, except for required cooking courses	yes	$18,744/year
Lincoln College of Technology	Shelton, CT	no	yes	$21,607/full program
YTI Career Institute	Lancaster, PA	no	yes	35875
Stratford University	Virginia Beach, VA	yes	yes	$370/credit hour
The Art Institute of Seattle	Seattle, WA	yes	yes	$18,744/year
Oregon Culinary Institute	Portland, OR	no	yes	$17,325

The Height of Hospitality, A Look Inside Europe’s Grand Hotels

Grand Hotels, like monuments, are national treasures and stately landmarks. As is implied within the name, a grand hotel or a grand dame hotel is a large stately hotel- often with accompanying stories, lineage, and dramatic intrigue. The architecture varies depending on the fashion of the era, philanthropy, and the region itself.

Leading Hotels of the World is a consortium of over 375 luxury hotels and resorts located in 75 different countries. These are hotels located across the globe that have passed hundreds of quality assurance tests and must meet exacting criteria. What are the criteria? The answer is difficult to pin down but in short the quality of the accommodations, service, cuisine, employees and facilities are all part of the quality assurance curricula of the Leading Hotels of the World Consortium. With hundreds of Grand Hotels and hundreds of Leading Hotels of the World, we narrowed down our selection to some of the most famous locations. Narrowing down our selection to just 10 was tricky. Some of the grand hotels are not on the Leading Hotels List and not all Leading Hotels are grand, but the following are some of the highest luxury hotels in Europe.

1.) Belmond Grand Hotel St. Petersburg

The Belmond Grand Hotel St. Petersburg is a five-star hotel located on Nevsky Prospekt among other architectural spectacles. It has housed guests for over 140 years. In 1910 Fydodor Lidval and Leon Benois two prominent architects of the era, remodelled the Belmond Grand Hotel in the style of Art Nouveau. The interior is known for its intricate marble decorations and magnificent stained glass walls and ceilings true to Nouveau style.

The elegant furniture has been sat upon by greats such as Claude Debussy, Igor Stravinsky, and Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This grand hotel is not reserved for great composers alone. In fact, today The Belmond Grand Hotel St. Petersburg is even child-friendly. Visitors may take a boat tour, enjoy a caviar master class, explore avant garde Russian art, and of course tour St. Petersburg.

2.) Grand Hotel Stockholm

Founded in 1874 by French chef Regis Cadier, The Grand Hotel Stockholm is a waterfront hotel overlooking the Gamla Stan (“old town) in Stockholm. Cadier imagined French hospitality in all parts of Europe. In 1901 the first Nobel Prize banquet was held at the Grand Hotel Stockholm until it out-grew the space in 1929. As tradition would have it, award winners and their families continue to stay in the hotel to this day. The hotel is a stopping point for celebrities and world leaders like Princess Diana and Martin Luther King, but welcomes all who enjoy the luxuries found in this five-star hotel. Grand Hotel Stockholm has 300 rooms and 31 suits as well as 24 banquet and conference rooms as well as a world class spa and sauna known as the Nordic Spa and Fitness Center. Cadier Bar and Mathias Dahlgren’s Michelin-starred restaurants are among the top dining choices for individuals living in the Nordic region.

3.) The Dolder Grand

Nestled at the tip of the Adlisberg forest overlooking Zurich is the Dolder Grand. The Dolder Grand is was founded in 1899 and remodelled in 2008 by British architect Norman Robert Foster. The roads winding up to the Dolder Grand couldn’t be well, grander. This is the perfect spot to take an automobile drive as you can rent cars, limousines as well as e-bikes. Do you have an electric car? This is not a problem at the Dolder Grand as there are places to plug in. Perhaps one of the most impressive aspects of the Dolder Grand is its concierge guest services that include in-room butler’s for suite residents. If you need tickets to a show, reservations, or recommendations for where to head next, the concierge team is waiting. Many of whom are members of Les Clefs d’Or or the “golden key”. After a long day of sightseeing in Zurich, be sure to wind down in their world famous spa for myriad of luxurious treatments.

4.) Grand Hotel Continental Siena

Situated in the heart of Siena, the Grand Hotel Continental is just a stone’s throw from the duomo and the Piazza del Campo. Grant Hotel Continental Siena is located inside of a 16th century building containing original frescos, ornate marble and a wine cellar (Enoteca SaporDivino) within a medieval tower. Everything about this luxury hotel seeths with Italian style from the ancient setting, to the awe-inspiring ornamentation to the fine Tuscan dining. Be sure to taste chef Luca Ciaffarafa’s original take on traditional Tuscan fare. When it Siena, why not make your trip to the wine country a magical stay in an ancient grand hotel? It’s not everyday an opportunity like this one comes along.

5.) Grand Hotel Wein

Circa 1862 Carl Tietz ,a renowned architect in Austria-Hungary, built a maison meublee (furnished house) which would later become the Grand Hotel Wein. On May 10th in 1870 the Grand Hotel Wein opened to much acclaim offering 300 rooms and 200 bathrooms, a telegraph office, and a steam powered elevator all located on the famous Ringstrasse boulevard. This was Vienna’s first grand hotel and would become a central hub for of Viennese social life. When Johann Strauss, the grandfather of the Waltz, celebrated his 50-year jubilee the Wein became nearly impossible to book. Today, thanks to the Japanese, the hotel is fully renovated and upgraded to accommodate the 21st century guest, and an extension of 100 rooms makes booking a stay possibl. Here you are only ever just a few steps from the Vienna State Opera and all of the glorious gems of the city itself. This elegant and ambient grand hotel is one of the leading hotels of the world, and includes 7 incredible dining experiences both traditional to Vienna and international as well as a Le Grand Chef cooking school- a great option for individuals or groups. As if a trip to Vienna isn’t luxurious enough, a stay at the Grand Hotel Wein will be unforgetable.

6.) Seaside Grand Hotel Residencia

How you do get the seaside designation? Well, you must be one the sea. The Gran Canaria is the second most populated island of the Canary Islands- an African archipelago that is part of Spain. And as of 2000, the Gran Canaria became home to the Grand Hotel Residencia. The only Grand Hotel located here. Parisian designer Alberto Pinto created a Spanish-colonial style filled with warm colors and crafted furniture, and Portuguese painted tile. Though a newer grand hotel, Grand Hotel Residencia passed the numerous tests required to sit among one of the Leading Hotels of the World. This five-star hotel includes spa services, golf, aquatics, hiking tours, mountain biking tours, tennis yoga, and Tai Chi. The dining experience is extraordinary featuring Canary Island Cuisine and overlooking the famous dunes of Maspalomas as well as the thousand-year old palm gardens.

7.) Gran Hotel Miramar

Back on the Iberian Peninsula in Malaga Spain is architect F. Guerrero Strachan`s masterpiece, Gran Hotel Miramar. Like so many grand hotels, the Gran Hotel Miramar has a history to match its name. Gran Hotel Miramar’s inauguration year was in 1926 by King Alfonso XIII with Queen Victoria Eugenie of Battenberg. In the mid-30’s the palace became a field hospital during the Spanish Civil War. Now in 2018, the Gran Hotel Miramar is restored to function as it was originally intended as a 5-star luxury grand hotel. Moorish architecture as well as neo-baroque decor greet you in the lobby and throughout the Miramar. This palacial hotel features fine dining overlooking the mediterannean, a high class fitness center, swimming pool, easy access into Malaga, and a Botanic Garden spa that includes Ayurveda, hot stone treatments, Reiki, Thai massage and more. For an exciting stay that combines the best of both world (both old and new) this is a magical experience.

8.) Grand Hotel Heiligendamm

Overlooking the Baltic Sea, the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm is attributed for bringing this Northern German (Doberan) town “back to life.” This is Germany’s first seaside resort. Built between 1793 and 1870 by master builders Johann Christoph Heinrich von Seydwitz, Carl Theodor Severin and, Gustav Adolph Demmler this six-property resort has seen the likes of Czars since its inauguration. The architecture is classical in design and once included bath and guest houses. After the second world war, the grounds and properties were used as a sanatorium and recuperation facility. In 2000 restorations went underway and after 3 painstaking years of precise restoration, the Grand Hotel Heiligendamm reopened in June of 2003. Today visitors enjoy simply taking in the beauty of the area or enjoying luxurious treatments indoors. You have your pick of fine dining options as well as lush spa treatments. Whether horseback riding on the beach in Spring or ice skating in the courtyard in Winter, there’s never a bad time to visit the illustrious historic Grand Hotel Heiligendamm.

9.) Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat

Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat is now a Four Seasons hotel that has been an iconic hotel in the Cote d’Azur’s since 1908. Head here for your next or first visit to the French Riviera. The Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat itself is located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat a secluded seaside village. This exclusive get-away works for the traveler seeking a refined private setting with a rustic flare. And Nice and Monaco are just around the corner if you’re looking to extend your stay. You can view the Monaco Grand Prix or walk the ancient streets of Nice. But some of the best hidden gems are recommended by the concierge at the Grand Hotel itself. Take a tour of the Rivieras smaller villas and don’t miss the Villa Santo Sospir featuring original murals by Jean Cocteau and Pablo Picasso. If your wanderlust has your tired, the Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat offers fine dining in private cabanas, and a 3,9000 square foot spa garden. You may never want to leave after a stay in the Cote d’Azur’s, but brush up on your French if you want to fit in the the locals.

10.) The Grand Mark Prague

Situated in what once was a baroque palace, the Grand Mark Prague seamlessly combines classical design, modern art, and 21st century technology while still creating a luxurious ambience. Whether your trip to Prague is for business, or entertainment, the setting is perfect as Grand Mark Prague is located within walking distance to many of Prague’s main attractions. Have you ever wanted to live in a caste? The guest accommodations evoke the very same fanciful grandeur of the original castle. When it comes to design Grand Mark is adorned with commissioned artwork, lush furnishings, and decorated with elegant rich textures throughout. At the end of a long day of sightseeing, relax in what feels like your own private enclave or enjoy fine dining in the hotels courtyard garden and terrace. During the winter months, take the evenings or early mornings to warm up in the spa’s sauna. The magic of Prague is waiting for you at the Grand Mark.

What is the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)?

Founded in 1956, the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is the world’s largest largest network of Business Events Strategists, with more than 7,000 members and an audience over 50,000. Headquartered in Chicago, PCMA has partners and collaborators include organizations North America (17 chapters), Europe, the Middle East and Asia, with activities in 37 countries. The PCMA’s mission is threefold:

Increase PCMA’s impact on a worldwide audience through a focus on audience needs
Lead the industry through innovation, education, events and engagement
Develop a sustainable structure to grow membership, audience, and revenue

In addition, the organization also provides a range of services for PCMA members, including curricular standardization for convention management, career development support, training programs, advocacy initiatives, and resources and networking opportunities. Given its size and influence, the PCMA is one of the most important organizations for current and aspiring convention industry workers, including a range of hospitality professions.

How PCMA Helps Hospitality Professionals

When we think about the hospitality industry, we often think about hotels and resorts; we think about vacations. But unfortunately that’s a very narrow definition. Hospitality professionals coordinate major business meetings and conventions. They plan conferences and events, as well as ceremonies and galas. One hospitality sector, event planning, is rapidly becoming one of the largest businesses in the country, accounting for $115 billion in annual US GDP; and the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects occupations for meeting, convention, and event planners to grow 11% over the next decade – nearly twice the national average – with salaries between $60k and 120k.

Still, event planners aren’t the only hospitality professionals in the event business. Food and beverage managers are involved throughout the planning process, and hotel professionals across the board are responsible for event sales, coordination, execution, and leads targeting. An in-exhaustive list of meeting and event workers might include:

Guest Services Coordinator

In short, nearly everyone in the hospitality industry is tied to the meetings, conventions, and event planning sector. Which also means nearly everyone in the hospitality industry stands to benefit from the PMCA for financial, educational, and advocacy support. While some of the above roles might fall outside the immediate purview of the PCMA, many business-focused hospitality professionals can leverage the PMCA into networking opportunities, career advancement, and high-level certification.

Become a PCMA Member

PCMA members earn several career benefits:

Access to the members-only PCMA community
Networking opportunities with convention management leaders
Early access to registration for the annual PCMA conference
Subscription to Convene, the industry leading magazine
Discounts on on all PCMA products, services and events
Career growth and professional development through volunteer leadership

Membership payment plans are as follows:

Student: $40
Faculty: $200
Business Event Professional: $360
Supplier Event Professional: $485

PCMA Education Initiatives

Many convention management and meeting & event planning degree programs are affiliated with the Professional Convention Management Association and align with the group’s curricular standards. In particular, the PCMA’s Education Foundation, founded in 1985, helps support aspiring meeting & event professionals through scholarships, grants, research, and education. In 2017, the Foundation directed $493,000 to fund industry innovation, nurture professional development, and advance student achievement.

PCMA Online Courses, Certifications, Exam Prep, and Bootcamps

The PCMA offers four main education initiatives online.

Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Prep

The PCMA is the only entity to offer an officially endorsed study program for the Certified Meeting Professional designation (administered by the Events Industry Council). With more than 11,000 meeting professionals in 55 countries holding a CMP, it’s one of the industry’s most important honors and can significantly increase earnings potential: according to Convene Magazine, event and meeting organizers with a CMP improved their salary by 11%. The PCMA’s study materials include 9 study modules; a progress report; printable outlines; 3 full-length, timed CMP practice exams; mobile access; and – most importantly – 68 clock hours to apply toward your CMP application (70 required).

Business Event Bootcamp

The PCMA’s Business Event Bootcamp is a self-paced online course designed to provide current and aspiring event professionals the latest trends, techniques, and information for successful event planning. Courses include Event Design, Risk & Crisis Management, Digital Events, Generating Revenue from Events, and Event Marketing, which earn you up to 14.5 CMP hours. If you’re a current event planning professional, the PCMA offers corporations and associations the opportunity to complete group sessions. Each module includes a facilitator’s guide for team leaders, including access to hands-on activities, lesson reinforcement plans, and other supplementary content.

Digital Event Strategist (DES) Certification

Sponsored by the PCMA’s Digital Experience Institute, the DES Certification is the industry-leading standard for planning and producing live stream and digital engagement events. Courses are available both live and self-paced, lead by experts from around the world, and cover 10 key areas: Introduction to Digital Events, Strategy, User Experience, Content Strategy, Engagement Strategy, Technology, Revenue Models + Strategies, Production, Marketing, and Post Event + Measurement. Meeting, event, and hospitality professionals with DES certification will, first, open up a range of career opportunities, but also earn peer recognition, professional growth, and improve their skills.

CASE Online Course

PCMA’s Certified Association Sales Executive certification is a 10 module online course, featuring self-paced, interactive lessons that fills knowledge gaps, builds business acumen, and develops sales association skills. Course requirements include Marketplace Strategy and Innovation, Effective and Educational Meetings, Social Trends, Strategic Meetings Management, Sponsorship and Strategic Partnership, and Building Long-Term Business Relationships.

What is a Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager?

The Certified Hospitality Revenue Manager (CHRM) is the most prestigious certification available for revenue management in the lodging industry. Hospitality professionals who hold the certification are among the industry’s most elite group, with a wide range of professional benefits and career opportunities in leadership, management, and any role that requires hospitality expertise. In short, earning a CHRM certification is one of the best ways to advance your career in the hospitality industry.

How Do I Become a CHRM?

In order to apply for CHRM certification, first, you’ll need to be on the relevant hospitality career track. Those qualifications include:

Fifty percent or more of duties and responsibilities in revenue management, including forecasting, analyzing inventories, rates and occupancy
Experience in data input and report generation
Manage block activity and monitor property management system
Manage and supervise reservations

Applicants with less than a year of full-time experience need either an accredited associate’s degree or must have completed a five-course specialization program; early entry eligibility is also available. Otherwise, relevant hospitality career roles may include Food and Beverage Manager, Group Sales Coordinator, General Manager, or Directors of Hotel Sales.

For the online application, you’ll need to upload the following:

Current Resume
Job Description
Employment Verification Form (signed by your immediate supervisor)
Copy of diploma or transcripts (if necessary)
Complete payment of $300 ($375 for non-members)

The CHRM Exam

Created by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), a division of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the CHRM exam is designed to ensure maximum value and service to hospitality customers. All exams are must have a designated proctor, which may include a CHA, CHRM, hospitality educator, an AH&LA member association/federation executive, your immediate supervisor, or a member of the clergy. The exam itself features 125 multiple-choice questions, which you’ll have three hours to complete, and which cover the CHRM candidate’s knowledge of 5 key hospitality areas:

The Lodging Industry
Forecasting and Planning
Strategies and Tactics
Statistical Analysis
E-Commerce and Online Distribution

All candidates receive an official test prep booklet that includes resources, materials and a CD (included in the $300 fee).

CHRM Job Responsibilities

The central role of the hospitality revenue manager is to implement optimal revenue management strategies and processes. In other words, the CHRM figures out the best way to make the most money. Depending on the day, that might include a whole range of responsibilities, and a CHRM needs to have a flexible, Swiss Army knife set of skills in business, management, analytics, and organization. A few responsibilities include:

Oversee day-to-day operations of the finance, accounting, or reservations departments
Develop and manage market segments, hotel branding, pricing strategy, sales operations, distribution channels, content management, and revenue forecasting,
Interview, hire, train, and supervise a hospitality staff
Set and maintain performance standards, build corporate teamwork, and promote a hospitality ethic

Of course, job responsibilities will vary. Hospitality revenue managers at boutique hotels will likely have a different set of duties than hotel revenue managers at a large chain. Further, the CHRM role itself has undergone significant changes over the years with the advent of online bookings. Where previously business funneled through a few (analog) channels, hospitality revenue managers now must understand the nuances of mobile marketing, online travel agencies, and a proliferation of agile competitors, among other challenges. On the one hand, that means the CHRM role is more complicated than ever before. The upside is that hospitality revenue managers now wield powerful influence within corporations and across the industry.

CHRM Salary and Job Outlook

How much money do certified hospitality revenue managers make? That depends on the job parameters, but the general outlook is positive.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, management positions across the country are expected to grow 8 percent over the next decade, which equals 807,300 new jobs. The median annual wage for management occupations is slightly less than $110k, the highest of any major job groups. Sales managers earn a median salary of $117k per year, and financial managers average $140k. While previously these numbers might not have correlated to a CHRM career, the role is changing so rapidly that CHRM salaries are trending in that direction.

As important to hospitality revenue managers is the industry at large. In 2016, the hotel industry’s revenue was $550 billion. Annually travel & tourism makes a global economic impact of around $6.5 trillion. In the United States, there are 16 million hospitality and leisure workers at about 850,000 establishments, making the industry one of the top ten employers nationwide. While the hospitality industry will always be vulnerable to recessions – elastic goods are the first to go – the above numbers represent a robust business foundation, which should transfer to continued job expansion. And because certified hospitality revenue managers are high-demand talent, they benefit from special job security and benefits.

Best Degrees for a CHRM

There are multiple routes to a CHRM, but earning a degree in hospitality management is the best method. The most popular hospitality degree is a bachelor’s in hospitality management, which combines a business core and specialized hospitality management courses. At the graduate level, you can either pursue an MS in Hospitality Management or an MBA in Hospitality Management, depending on your preference. (To learn the difference, read our guide.) Finally, for students interested in an accelerated professional track, associate degree-holders can also apply for CHRM certification.

20 Of the Best Camping Blogs

Camping is fun. Camping without knowing what you’re doing is not fun. Pretty straightforward.

But even experienced campers and outdoor enthusiasts occasionally need some advice. What’s the best year-round tent? Where do I find an awesome, overlooked campsite? How do I convince my family to go camping with me? For these questions and more, the internet offers a trove of excellent camping blogs that – lucky for you – we’ve spotlighted and ranked. Whether you’re a backpacker, cyclist, hiker, or generalist, these blogs will serve to inspire and, hopefully, make your next camping trip the best yet.

Keep reading to find the right camping blog for you!

1) Reddit

Maybe this is cheating – whatever. Reddit hosts five essential camping blogs (and/or camping-adjacent blogs), respectively r/camping, r/tents, r//hammockcamping, r/motocamping, r/Glamping, and r/canoecamping. Assuming the titles are self-explanatory, the best thing about Reddit tends to be it’s advice threads: where to go, what to do, what not to do, best gear, etc. If you’ve got a camping question, odds are someone else does, too – and that it’s been answered! In short, come for the tips, stay for the community.

2) REI Co-Op

One of the premier outdoor brands, REI also boasts a great camping blog. First impression? Professionalism. Not only are you getting quality writing, you’re also getting expert camping insights and advice that you can trust. Sure, some of the blog dips into sponsored content territory – after all, REI presumably needs to sell merchandise – but don’t let that keep you away. In addition to how-to entries, Co-Op also features awesome camping recipes (sweet potato and chorizo breakfast hash? please), an extensiveDIY camping series, REI member portraits, essays, and compelling op-eds, like why leave no trace is more important than ever.

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3) Glamping Hub Blog

If glamping is your thing – that is, if you prefer to camp in style – the Glamping Hub is worth your attention. First, for the staff picks: find luxe camping destinations across the world, from a seven-unit tent rental in the Himalayan mountains to a preposterously sleek tree house in Swedish Lapland (for the cool price of $1,909 a night!) A lot of the blog functions as Airbnb-but-for-camping (and high-end), but you’ll also find plenty of fun features, guides, lists, essays, and more. If nothing else, a camper has needs to dream!

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4) Good Sam Camping

Good Sam is a camping blog with a little bit of everything: park and destination recommendations, reviews and tips for camping gear and accessories, road trip do’s and dont’s, and much more. Still, the focus is on the RV camper lifestyle, and if you’re an RV’er, this is the best camping blog on the internet. Besides the top-notch recipes, video and photo archive, and camping miscellany, Good Sam has a trove of excellent DIY safety posts: Driving Your RV in The Fog, Winterizing Your RV, and Monitoring Your RV Tire Pressure, among them. Don’t overlook this blog.

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5) Stansport

Billed as “The Fun Camping Blog,” Stansport is another branded camping blog worth a read, with an emphasis on actionable content. Avid camper with less-than-avid kids? Review 5 Tips to “Gamify” and Make Camping Fun for Your Kids. An aspiring (or experienced) angler suffering a dry spell? Check your knowledge on nine common fishing myths. Stansport’s “Camp Tricks” series is especially enlightening, whether you’re a newbie or a well-traveled outdoorsman: camping is for lifelong learners. Finally, for what it’s worth, the blog is simply attractive: neat, organized, uniform, ad-free, and featuring beautiful photography.

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6) 50 Campfires

50 Campfires, the self-appointed camping authority, is indeed an excellent camping blog (and print magazine, for that matter). “Built specifically for America’s car and family campers,” the blog most recently won the best family blog at the Outdoor Blogger Summit, the leading conference for outdoor communicators focusing on outdoor recreation. While it can be a bit busy and burdened with ads – for a site of its caliber, anyway – there’a lot to like. The feature articles are top-of-the-line, the tips are easy to follow, and the site’s destination guide breaks down camping site in all fifty sites, making it one of the most in-depth online. Last but not least: any good camping blog needs good camping recipes. How do Prickly Pear Cactus Salad, Gluten-Free Mesquite Pancakes, and, yes, Red Wine Hot Chocolate sound?

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7) The Ultimate Hang

The Ultimate Hang is a hammock camping blog. Get it? Clever. Puns aside, The Ultimate Hang is run by Derek Hansen, a lightweight backpacker and former Scoutmaster with years of camping experience. Camping gear reviews make up a significant portion of the blog – not exclusively hammocks, mind you – but one of the more interesting features is Hansen’s Hammock Hang Calculator, which lets users “estimate how high to install anchor points for hanging your hammock indoors (or outdoors) and also estimates the horizontal and gravitational forces applied to your hammock system.” Pretty cool. Finally, the blog’s 100+ vendor list catalogues hammock manufacturers, vendors, and retailers from around the world.

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8) Camping Ireland

Camping Ireland…is a camping blog…about camping…in Ireland! So if you’re camping anywhere other than Ireland, Camping Ireland won’t do you much good. But if you are camping in Ireland, Camping Ireland is the perfect camping blog for your needs! The most helpful feature is the find-a-park tool: just enter in a name or keyword, select a location, and choose: glamping, mobile homes, touring, or camping. From there, the blog also has up-to-date news, camping advice and ideas, special offers, a sales & hire classifieds, and useful links. The blog certainly isn’t the most technologically advanced on the internet, but, if you’re camping in Ireland, Camping Ireland works just as well.

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9) Snowys Blog

Snowys Blog is an Australian “ridgy-didge outdoor & adventure blog.” (For those outside Aussie-land, ridgy-didge simply means “the real thing.” In short, this is an authentic camping blog for campers by campers.) Specifically, Snowys covers camping, hiking, and travel, with a retail shop that includes partnerships with brands like North Face, Coleman, Marmot, Camelbak, Oztent, Victorinox, Dometic, Engel, GSI Outdoors, Ledslener, and more. The most popular posts fall under tips and tricks – 8 Tips for Keeping Ice Longer in Your Icebox – gear reviews – Best Family Camping Tents – and destination recs – The Gili Islands – There’s More to Indonesia than Bali.

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10) Trucker Camper Magazine

Another aptly titled camping blog! Trucker Camper is “a free online magazine dedicated to the exciting go anywhere, camp anywhere, tow anything lifestyle of truck camping.” For such a specific niche, TCM offers excellent breadth and coverage. Feature stories range from a Question of the Week series to maintenance tips, beach camping, and videos. From there, you’ll find news, reviews, a buyer’s guide, gear guide, and newbie corner for the uninitiated. Easily navigable, well-written, and organized, Trucker Camper is an excellent camping blog for the road warrior.

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11) Homecamp

Another Australia-based outfit, Homecamp is an outdoor apparel brand that hosts a wonderful camping blog, focusing on helpful tips and stories: Basic Wilderness Survival Tips, Everything You Need to Know to Grow Your Own Edible Garden, and A Beginner’s Guide to Night Photography, to highlight a few. The site is easily navigable, clean, and well-written; the layout is organized; the photographs are beautiful. It’s relatively young, so the archives are smaller compared to some of the other featured camping blogs, but nonetheless: a great spot for campers to shop, find inspiration, and brush up on their knowledge.

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12) Cool of the Wild

Cool of the Wild’s blog is a septet: camping, adventure, pursuits, gear, skills, inspiration, and cool stuff (the blog’s retail section). Reviews constitute a large portion of the blog – camping stoves, hiking boots, climbing shoes, backpacks, tents, etc. There’s also fun top-10 lists, useful beginner’s guides, how to’s – 17 Simple Ways to Make Homemade Fire Starter – and more. If you’re looking for camping destination ideas, Cool of the Wild has them, and the “Pursuits” page encourages you to try something new: from slacklining to paddle boarding, bikepacking, and rock climbing. Attractive and helpful, a great camping blog.

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13) Go Camping Australia Blog

Australia loves its camping blogs. Run by an Aussie family, Go Camping Australia began after an unsuccessful camping trip, surprisingly enough. After attempting to research local camping grounds with little luck, the family of four showed up at a camp site wildly unprepared and wholly underwhelmed. Surely others had had the same experience! The Go Camping blog features a range of outdoor topics, camping food and recipes, outdoors information, camping tips, and equipment reviews. The campsite reviews section is particularly helpful, with over a dozen locations and campgrounds. If you’re a beginner, check out the camping 101 articles, and, being a family camping blog, don’t miss 10 Tips For Taking Your Children Camping.

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14) Rainy Camping

Rainy Camping specializes in camping tips, gear, camping food & recipes, and campgrounds profiles. The site itself can be a bit wonky, but the best pieces make up for it: All You Need To Know About What Colors Attract Mosquitoes, How To Get Up To Speed On Bivy Sack Vs. Tent Immediately, How To Start A Fire With Wet Wood Easily, and 3 Tricks On How To Get Campfire Smell Out Of Clothes are just a few recent standouts. Plenty of reviews, as well.

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15) Bike Overnights

Bike Overnights, an official resource of the American Cycling Association, is every cyclist’s dream: crowd-sourced bike travel blog that features original stories about your short cycling trips. Interested in contributing? Once you’re familiar with the length, style, and content of posts, submit a trip to the editors and have it published on the site. Just a reader? Check out contributors’ stories, gear articles, and selected resources. Bike Overnights also offers first-time overnight cyclists a wealth of insights, advice, and guidance, including camping essentials.

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16) The Adventure Land

The Adventure Land is an all-around camping blog, with special outdoor sports sections on hiking, fishing, kayaking, and snowboarding. In addition to reviews and a buyer’s guide, Adventure Land’s biggest asset is its camping how-to’s: How to Clean a Nalgene Bottle, How to Pack Pots and Pans, How To Clean Grill Pan – you know, the kind of skills every camper needs to have. The blog publishes great campground profiles, as well, along with a popular series, “Best Hiking Trails,” which spotlights trails in every state.

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17) Beyond The Tent

Established in 2013, Beyond The Tent is the brainchild of Ryan Cunningham, an avid camper on a mission: “to get families, singles, anyone and everyone outdoors and enjoying the world of camping.” Since then, the blog has expanded into a complete resource for campers of every stripe, from the weekender to experienced backpackers, solo campers, and more. The guides to Yellowstone and Olympic National Parks are among the most thorough available, but Ryan’s free camping e-book is the kicker: planning your first trip, how to set up your campsite, family safety, leave no trace, and more.

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18) GearHose

Founded by Scott Shook and Trisk Patrick, GearHose provides campers with the latest reviews in camping gear, tips, and gift ideas. All gear is thoroughly vetted and researched prior to review to give readers the best independent perspective possible on a range of camping products, from the everyday essentials to the niche tools: bow saws, pre-made bug out bags, tactical pens, and camping pillows. All advice posts are easy to follow, and the blog features a list of other preferred camping blogs, as well.

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19) Pitch Luxury Camping

Pitch Luxury Camping, by Tim and Lisa Mitchell, is one of Australia’s best glamping blogs. Simple and straightforward, here you’ll find a rundown of popular glamping destinations (and hidden gems), with in-depth reviews, promotions, advice, and photography. Given its leanness, Pitch Luxury is best suited for experienced glampers, or at least those who have researched the basics. Book a trip through the site, or peruse the blog’s highly active Instagram.

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20) Campfire Magazine

Campfire Magazine publishes reviews, tips and techniques for campers all around the UK. The blog’s campsite guide includes UK and European destinations, like Corsica, The Lake District, and Bornholm, an exotic, mysterious island off the coast Denmark in the Baltic. From there, check out Campfire’s recipe library and some very insightful gear reviews: for instance, Sssshh! Please don’t buy these…, a highly useful taxonomy of camping gear that you simply don’t need.

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How Do I Become a Concierge?

The comte des cierges or “keeper of the candles” in Medieval times was in charge of the cleanliness and served as a general guide for residents and those who visited castles. Then again in France many apartment buildings included a concierge or portier. However, in the late 19th century wealthy travelers from Europe would take the Grand Tour, a multi-city tour of the great hotels of Europe. In this period, Switzerland became renowned for their work in hospitality and particularly the development of a fine portier or later “concierge.” A set of principles developed by Pierre Quentin helped to define the role in the late 1920s. The meeting in Paris lead to the development of a professional society- Union Professionnelle des Concierge des Grand Hotels. Over the next few decades the organization Les Clefs d’Or (the golden keys) was formed. Today people widely use smartphones to replace the concierge, but the finest hotels and resorts continue to use the human touch. And as families’, hospital patients’, and employees’ jobs and lifestyles become more complex, concierges take on this role in a wide variety of settings.

Job Responsibilities and Future Prospects for A Concierge

Traditionally, a concierge lived in the small hotel or bed and breakfast. What came of that? Well, in many places a bed and breakfast is still the home of the concierge. So it’s not completely lost. What that means oftentimes is that the concierge is also the hotel owner and manager. The concierge in this case is responsible for literally everything except for changing the linens and cooking the meals. There’s a sense of pride in this position as the concierge opens their home to visitors and often has great insights not only into the functions of the hotel itself but of the surrounding area. This is why a concierge often takes on the role of pre-tour tour guide, and will gladly spend quality time guiding you through the city or town from the front desk. That being said many places now hire on a concierge and that individual functions almost entirely like the individual who lived and owned the hotel, but without all of the managerial and maintenance responsibilities that come with the traditional concierge position. The purpose of the concierge is to attend to and see that each and every guest is happy. Do you need your bags taken to your room? Not a problem, the concierge will see to that. Do you need to book a restaurant reservation somewhere tasty and close? The concierge will see to that as well. Are you having issues with the maid service? The concierge will fix that for you. A concierge is like the ambassador of your experience and will always be knowledgeable about his or her surroundings. Whatever questions you have about local businesses, the concierge makes it her business to know about it. The concierge is starting to sound a lot like a smartphone, right? Finding restaurants near you. Finding dog-friendly establishments. And making sure that you are comfortable during your stay. It used to be common practice that a concierge would be on the premises at all times. That is now not always the case. Sometimes you have to pay a little extra to have one of these incredible hospitality wizards on your team. While you may skip on this because of the convenience of Travel tips piece having a human touch is great. And that’s what you are. As a concierge, you are the human touch that we all still need and crave when engaging with our travel experience. Let’s take a gander at a simplified list:

Welcome Guests to the Hotel or Bed and Breakfast
Check Guests into their Rooms
Ensure that Guests have Bags in Rooms Promptly After Arrival
Check Guests Out of the Hotel or Bed and Breakfast
Acquire Tickets for Various Events for Guests
Provide Directions, and Maps to Nearby Destinations
Give Mini Verbal Tours of the Neighborhood
Acquire Dinner Reservations for Guests
Have all of the In-the-Know information for the city or town
Communicate With Other Members of Staff to Ensure that the Needs of Guests are Met
Generally streamline the Hotel Experience for All Guests

Types of Concierges

Hotel Concierge- ensures that guests have a memorable experience when coordinating with the porter, booking transportation tickets, recommending places to visit, securing restaurant reservations and more.

Residential Concierge- may be part of a luxury apartment complex or condominium and functions similarly to a hotel concierge.

Personal Concierge- when busy families or working professionals have a bit too much piled up, a personal concierge comes in handy. The job of a personal concierge varies depending on the individual and families needs but may handle bills, the dry cleaning, groceries, and other errands that families are unable to execute without help.

Employee Concierge- helps to take care of the employees in the workplace.

Patient Concierge-a patient concierge serves to meet the unique needs of hospital patients. The goal is to keep patients happier and less stressed during their hospital stay. This adds value to the hospital who is ultimately looking for a high patient satisfaction score.

Using Your Education to Become a Concierge

While there is not any one degree level that automatically lands you the job as a concierge, there are a number of hospitality management degrees that can aid in the process. An associate degree in hospitality management is a great place to start as they are inexpensive, and provide the necessary background education to become acclimated with the hospitality industry. Additionally, you may want to consider becoming certified. A certified hotel concierge is an established baseline global standard. As the demand for concierges expands across the world so with it does the quality of the concierge itself. Prerequisites for this certification include completing the “Art of Concierge” program with the International School of Hospitality. Or you you may be currently employed as a concierge and have maintained employment for 90 days. From there you can purse your certification as a concierge.

Using Your Experience to Become a Director of Hotel Sales

In some cases you can work your way up to the position of concierge using your experience. Individuals working at the front desk often take on a few of the jobs of a concierge and are just one step away from the position.

20 Incredible Travel Tools You Wish You Had Yesterday

I remember when it started to happen to me… I started getting tired before flying, airport security, planning, and everything else that has to happen before travel. I was getting exhausted speaking broken Mandarin and I was recognizing that so much of what I loved about travel was lost in all of the mess that came before and after. And then I found an app, one that helps non-native speakers as they travel Asia. Travel can be one of the most mind-expanding, rejuvenating, and (sometimes) frustrating events. But every year there are more and more tools for taking the hard part out of it. That’s what we’ve tried to round up below. These sites, apps, and gadgets are going to help you plan you trip, make back your money on last-minute cancellations, and even speak to people in other languages without a book. You can share you itinerary with family members, find the cheapest gas prices and even get cell service (kinda) in remote locations. These travel tools will bring the fun back into the planning process and even help you find a lounge to relax in while you’re stuck in a layover. Not only that but one of them helps you get through customs faster. What will they think of next? Turning your own home into a profitable Bed and Breakfast will you’re away? Nah. Well… we could only dream.

20.) Airbnb

Unless you’ve been living inside of a cave, you know about AirBNB. But for those cave dwellers out there: Airbnb is a community marketplace that seeks to join individuals who rent their home or room to individuals looking for accommodations. This includes short-term rental, vacation rentals, hostels, and a room (or a couch) for a night. A “host” is someone whose home or part of home is used as a space for travellers. The Airbnb app is navigable and user-friendly. Communication notifications are an essential part of the user experience- keeping hosts and travelers informed. Writing a review adds tremendous value to a host and a guest. Guests’ star ratings are visible to hosts and vice versa. If you are looking for something out-of-the ordinary for your lodgings, give Airbnb a try.

19.) Uber

In German Uber means “above” or “over” like the way we use “above and beyond.” When Uber launched it was actually called UberCab, but after a cease and desist the name was shortened to just Uber. Get it? Above and Beyond the cab experience. In general, this is what most of the users experience when deciding to “call and Uber-” something a lot more reliable than hailing a cab. To use this app, pinpoint your location, set a pick up point, and wait for Uber to connect you to nearby drivers. The app does a countdown and even shows you where you ride is in proximity so you know what to look for. Yes, you are getting in a car with a stranger, but the same can be said of a cab. Uber has pretty tight restrictions and has improved over time. If you’re hungry you could also call in your dinner with UberEats.

18.)Google Trips

Have you ever just wanted to wave your magic wand and say “Abracadabra vacation you are now planned?” Well, you can. Although we are pretty sure that magic has a little something to do with Google’s massive database of information about… everything. This trip-planning app helps you navigate your way through a city, find the most popular destinations, and will even give you a mock itinerary of both half day and full day trips. You can make day plans, book reservations, find places to eat and drink, and save you trips. This app will also track your flight, car, and other reservations.

17.)LoungeBuddy

Have you ever gotten halfway there and found yourself in a sea of confusion? I’m talking of course about everyone’s favorite layover experience. All you want is to find the most decent bite you can find, grab a best seller, and a cold drink. LoungeBuddy is a great app to help you navigate your way to the lounge of over 500 airports worldwide. This app is the perfect bud for anyone who travels regularly and is willing to splash a little extra cash for some peace and quiet inside of an airport lounge. Who says your best friends have to be people?

16.)GasBuddy

When you’re out road tripping every cent you save on gas means a little extra you can do in your next destination. But we all know that gas price fluctuation has as much to do about the attendant as it does the supply of fuel. Find the cheapest gas prices with your GasBuddy. GasBuddy includes a “heat map” showing you where in the country you can expect to pay more for gas and also has a trip cost calculator-helping you determine the cost of gas for you trip before you step on the peddle. So pack up the car and stress about one less thing with this extremely handy companion.

15.)Hopper

If I understood the stock market I might say that the app Hopper is like your most savvy stock market buddy who is telling you when to buy and sell, but since I know nothing about the stock market, I won’t make that analogy. I will say that through a series of some pretty incredibly powerful algorithms, Hopper lets you know when to go ahead and click purchase and when to wait. This little rabbit is so smart and fast he/she will even notify you in advance when it’s time to buy. You can score a steep discount thanks to Hopper. There’s even a handy color-coded calendar if you’re like me and enjoy visual touches. Lately, Hopper has been trying to help you book your hotel in New York. That’s one busy little bunny.

14.)Hipmunk

Hipmunk is a comprehensive travel search engine companion. Hipmunk helps travel cheaply whether searching for commercial flights, charter flights, trains or more. You will also get some assistance booking hotels and vacation rentals through Airbnb. How does is work? AI-powered bots! Woo hoo! Thank you AI-bots, we would be paying about 40% more for travel it it weren’t for you. Visually, Hipmunk is clear and fun to navigate.

13.)Mobile Passport

You’re about to land and you can feel it- you’re nearly home. That international flight was brutal and that baby really didn’t stop screaming for the entire 18 hour flight. Poor baby! You’re a big adult, though but can you brave customs? Yeah, we thought you might start crying too. It’s okay, Mobile Passport makes getting through customs a breeze. This app does not replace an actual passport, but it is approved by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and currently usable in 24 airports. Simply set up your profile, answer a few brief questions, submit to CBP, wait for your barcode and head to the short line for “Mobile Passport Control” and voila. You’re back to grilling hotdogs and baking chocolate chip cookies. I mean eating steak and drinking Malbec. Afterall, you’re no baby!

12.)CityMapper

CityMapper is a very green app. And we don’t mean ecologically friendly, we mean the color green. There are even some cool characters that look like a cross between the dumb ways to die characters and the Little Miss Characters. Your little green penguin mutants will help you find your way around cool cities like Barcelona, Chicago, and Berlin. We like the color green and cartoons, but we’re not sure we like them as much as we like looking at maps. Which is what we LOVE about CityMapper. CityMapper turns you into a public transportation whiz kid. You can take the Tube, bus, and rent a bike all in one trip thanks to CityMapper. Your friend will be amazed upon landing in Milan that regardless of the Metro strike you’ll find your way to a sweet gelato joint anyway. After using the app a few times you can even save your destinations and give them fun names.

11.)Expensify

Put it on the company card! Your friends love it when you’re visiting on business because they think that means brunch is always on your company card. You haven’t had the heat to tell them that this is unethical so you just pay for it out of your pocket. Have you ever wanted to passive aggressively put this to a stop? Now you can, with Expensify. Expensify tallies up every necessary expenditure so that a.) you can show your friends that free brunch isn’t cool and b.) whatever you do ethically spend during your business trip gets reimbursed. If you’re like me and lose receipts almost the instant they’re handed to you, get this app.

10.)goTenna

If you are planning on heading somewhere where you could potentially be stranded without service, you may want to purchase a goTenna. You will need someone who is not also stranded with you to have a goTenna as well. The goTenna is really for the remote traveller who could be in danger. You can send a text message with your location. Be sure to have your bluetooth activated and ask the person with the other goTenna to do the same. Who knows this device could save a life. So, if you’re travelling to remote locations take a gander at goTenna.

9.)PixelBuds

PixelBuds are Google’s answer to Airpods. These wireless earbuds will help you speak in French when your in France and Mandarin when you’re in China. You can also listen to music and everything else just like regular earbuds. There’s even a little wire around them you can slide around your ear so the earbuds don’t fall out- what a relief, right? No, this is not a seamless conversation from one language to another and it’s not like having C3 P0 walking around with you- sadly. But this is a step in the direction of world communication,and for just $159. That’s not bad considering the time and cost of Rosetta Stone.

8.)Roomer

There are so downsides to getting a discount that sometimes you wonder if the discount was actually worth it. What do I mean by downsides? I mean hidden fees, paying for checked baggage, and zero cancellation policies. Roomer wants to help with that last one. Roomer is a service that allows you to buy and sell unwanted and non-refundable hotel reservations. According to the managing director, the average discount is about 45%. The app does all of the rest of the work for you making sure that the booking name and credit card names are switched. So, if you ever have a change of plans and can’t do without the cash try Roomer.

7.)Roadtrippers

Roadtrippers is a travel-lovers dream come true. Have you ever been on the road only to pass several signs that say something vague about exploring a cave or an historic waterway and thought to yourself… wish I knew about that an hour ago? Essentially Roadtripper solves that problem and so much more- as you know roadtripping still requires a level of refined savvy. Taking an extraordinarily long trip in a car is the American way. You need only to shout “Roadtrip!” and everyone immediately stops what they’re doing to join you. Well, at least that was what we did in the 90s. Still, as a family you will love this app and you will rapidly become the most in-the-know person about America- know where all of the niche hiking trails are, waterfalls, and finally explore that cave! Roadtripper helps you avoid tourist traps which leads to less monotony and much more adventure. You can even save destinations you love and share them with your coolest friends.

6.)Flytalker Forums

Flytalker Forums are old school. Well, in the sense that it’s a forum and done virtually by word-of-mouth. This mouthpiece app is for travel enthusiasts who will have insights into last-minute deals- deals that not everybody can know about. It’s like being part of a secret travel society, and it’s kind of addicting too. Before you know if you’ll be the travel aficionado sharing all of your flight insights. If you pine for community forums over chatbots, Flytalker Forums is a cool option.

5.)Momondo

Momondo is a trip planner app that searches billions of sources and compares prices rapidly. These are some powerful algorithms and will help you secure steep discounts. The look of this app got an upgrade and now it is color gradient to the max. You seamlessly swipe between cheap flight comparison, hotel comparison and your profile. There are more filter available as well to help you hone in on your search if you need to be specific. This is great for flight attendants who may be required to fly with a specific airline to get their discount. For those who are a bit more flexible you can use Momondo’s Price Calendar and Timetable. If you just love this app, Momondo also offers city-specific apps.

4.)Skiplagged

We are so excited about Skiplagged, and could hardly wait to tell you about it. With Skiplagged you can pretend that you’re a spy. Or you can just be yourself and use the app. Either way is cool by us. Here’s how it works… you exit at the middle. I know, it sounds like a riddle from The Hobbit, but it’s true. Book a flight to say Orlando and get off in New Orleans instead. The flight will carry on to Orlando but you won’t be on it. In this case, New Orleans is considered “the hidden city” in the flight. Great right? Often times the inbetweener city is a smaller airport and more expensive to get direct flights to. That’s how you save. That and a giant algorithm of course. We love the idea of hidden city’s so much we can’t wait for other hidden destination apps to evolve. Like hidden hot air balloon destination apps. Just bring your parachute if you want to get off before the trip is over!

3.) Secret Flying

Have you ever just wanted to move the decimal point over one digit to get a flight to Paris, France instead of Paris, Ohio! Thrifty Nomads helps you by doing pretty much exactly that. You will find that human error regardless of all of these handy tech devices still happens. The instance in this article is that of a $15,000 flight turning into a $1,500 flight. It can happen. And when you find that human error just know that it was meant to be. Secret Flying is a great sight to help you sniff out human errors and snatch up great discounts. See, aren’t you glad you got all the way to number three?

2.) Kayak Hacker-Fare

You have heard about Kayak but did you know about the “Hacker-Fare” option? Kayak wants to help you access more options when it comes to affordable airfare and does so through their Hacker-Fare feature. This feature offers up two one-way flight that get you to and from your destination anyway. What this means on some occasions is that you will have to change carriers and recheck your bag. Be sure to check for hidden costs of each carrier before clicking “purchase.”

1.)Skyscanner

If whimsy and spontaneity are in your heart, then you will love skyscanner. Though skyscanner is not as much about where you go and when you go but what amazing deals you can find. Skyscanner acts like a fare-reduction deity of sorts-scanning the globe for the cheapest flights. You can keep everything open or hone your search to list specific times and destinations. So it works just fine for individuals who are simply trying to find the best airfare. When you’re not travelling and just dreaming of travelling it can get a little addicting. Finding that perfect fare for an incredible destination does feel a little like hitting the jackpot.