Comments

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  Maralyn D Hill November 22, 2009 at 5:08am

  I guess I've accepted the change in times. I used to make 4 times as much as I do know. I wrote incentive programs, did my share of meeting planning, etc. My thoughts are more in line with Mary Alice. From a personal point of view, I'm happy to tip in order to get to destinations that could not afford to host us if they had to do it all. That is why we all go different places. I'm going to stop responding as I think I'm beginning to repeat myself. Best to you all and leave a tip when you can!
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  Susan McKee November 22, 2009 at 4:51am

  Which reminds me: I'm glad you leave a note with something tangible like a bottle of wine, Mary Alice. Most housekeeping staff aren't allowed to keep anything left in a guestroom without such specific authorization.
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  Susan McKee November 22, 2009 at 4:49am

  Housekeeping tips aren't a "problem". It's that the PR agencies expect press trip participants to cough up for bus driver tips, bellman tips, concierge tips, guide tips, meal tips, spa tips -- not to mention taxi rides to/from the airport, baggage check fees, internet access fees, etc.
  
  Sure the amenities PR firms used to pay for have dried up in recent years (I well remember those goodie baskets so lavish it wasn't possible to take them home).
  
  But, the basics should be covered. And, in the hospitality biz, tips are basic. The "sloth and willful avoidance" is on the part of the HOSTS, not the guests. If a destination can't afford to cover the hospitality tips, it can't afford to host a press trip.
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  Mary Alice Kellogg November 22, 2009 at 4:32am

  In the Golden Age of travel trips -- 10-15 years ago -- Susan's comment might hold water. But with respect, I can tell you that not having tips in their PR budget these days is more the norm; PR agencies, for the most part, are being squeezed just as we are (and I'm not a flack here). For one: airlines ain't giving free tickets and the agencies/clients have to pay for them. A big change from the get-go. The economy is hitting everyone, even those agencies that "should" give us everything save a sleeping pill, and perhaps did in the past.
  The reality: in the larger scheme of things, the hospitality industry can't be as hospitable as it was. Look at the numbers. And if you fly somewhere on someone else's dime, stay, dine, sightsee, report, etc.-- leaving a little something for the housekeeping staff is a very small gesture.
  This has nothing to do with sloth or willful avoidance. It is the New Normal and we all have to get used to it. Just as we have to get used to more work for less pay for the shrinking outlets we have. And it is up to us which assignments and trips are worth it to take, including those extra tips that the PR agencies these days can't afford. They're doing business, too, which we choose to benefit from -- and believe me, their clients are paying less for their services every day. Again: choose wisely and think about whether or not a tip to the housekeeper is a deal-breaker. This is the New Normal.
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  Susan McKee November 22, 2009 at 4:16am

  Maralyn: some "small and out of the way places, don't have it in their budget".But, I'll wager, that's due to ignorance. They SHOULD have it in their budgets -- it's a routine and usual part of doing business in the hospitality industry.
  
  It's common practice to include tips -- including tips for the housekeeping staff -- in budgets for accommodations, just as it is to include tips for restaurant staff. Sloth, willful avoidance and other reasons aren't sufficient excuses; we need to remind PR people that tips are just a part of doing business. And they're the ones doing the business.
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  Maralyn D Hill November 22, 2009 at 3:49am

  This is as well stated as I've personally seen and I love your professor's quote.
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  Mary Alice Kellogg November 22, 2009 at 3:09am

  I agree that housekeeping is rarely -- if ever -- included. Housekeeping is always the one left out, and whether I'm on a personal trip or a hosted one, I always leave something (including complimentary bottle of wine, etc.) with a note to thank those hardworking folk who are always left out.
  In addition, as someone who covers spas on a regular basis: it is important to ask the host if the technician tip is included. My experience is that half of the time it is, half it's not. If in doubt, ask the front spa desk at the end of the treatment -- blissed-out as you may be -- to be sure. Leaving $20 for a $200 treatment is a small price to pay for all you're getting, and karma is good!
  The words of my professor in J-school ages ago resonates: "The first rule of journalism is: don't assume!" That goes for so many things in life, including tipping! Cheers!
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  Maralyn D Hill November 21, 2009 at 10:38pm

  Susan, I appreciated your comment. I've found some hosts/PR people are able to build in tips in their budgets. Yet other, small and out of the way places, don't have it in their budget. That is why we ask. When I used to do meeting planing and write incentive programs, I worked with DMC's and I could generally count on them to have tips covered 98% of the time. Unfortunately, that is not the case will all PR firms or small CVB's.
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  Susan McKee November 21, 2009 at 9:25pm

  If a PR professional organizes a trip, the PR professional should also provide the tip.
  
  As a former Destination Management Company, I find it odd that those arranging press trips don't build tips into their budgets. I always had my clients do this, and, then, I was responsible for making sure the right recipients got the right tips. It was in my best interests as a DMC to have happy staff at the properties I used!
  
  If I'm traveling on my own, of course tipping is my responsibility.
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  Randol White November 21, 2009 at 8:34pm

  Great info everyone! I believe, the purpose of one's trip to a given hotel should not be the deciding factor as far as tipping goes. The level of service should be the primary concern. In fact, if I get a comp room, I often tip a bit more.