Everyone is in resolution mode and “this is the year to do things differently and better” mindset.  Are you extending your resolution mode to your travels this year? We want this to be the year of gratitude in travel. We challenge you to add one important thing to your travels this year. It’s not a new gadget, app or piece of luggage. We want to encourage you take the ‘travel gratitude challenge’ in 2015 and for years to come!

What’s the ‘travel gratitude challenge?’  Well, it’s the act of showing your appreciation by leaving a tip or gift for your hotel housekeeping staff while traveling.  We’re not saying you don’t tip hotel staff when you travel, but we want to make you aware that hotel housekeeping staff are often overlooked or receive no recognition for their work. It’s an out of sight, out of mind reality and they are often overworked and underpaid. Yet the housekeeping staff is the highest revenue generating department in a hotel.

Marriott hotels started the “Envelope Please” program, that encourages guests to tip if they are satisfied with the housekeeping service they received.  Let’s take it a little farther.  Yes, you can tip the recommended $1-$5 per night stay, and/or you can really show your gratitude with a special gift.  I am pledging to do both and now travel with a few items to make a gift bag.

When I was in San Antonio, Texas last year, my roommates and I left our housekeeper a monetary gift and a fabulous gift bag of goodies. The gift bag included a mini travel bath set, gift card to a coffee house and a few CDs. Our goal was to really make our housekeeper feel the love because she did a fabulous job for us daily. Here are a few gift suggestions to show your gratitude.

• Gift cards to a popular eatery/fast food restaurant or coffee house (i.e. Starbucks).
• Gift cards that can be used at a variety of stores/restaurants.
• Mini travel bath sets (i.e. minis from Bath & Body Works).
• Movie passes/gift cards.

It doesn’t have to be extravagant or something from ‘Oprah’s Favorite Things’ list, just a little something to show your gratitude and appreciation for a job well done.  Remember to let the front desk know that you appreciated the housekeeping staff’s work and that you left something for them in the room.  If you want to recognize a specific staff member, leave the gratuity and the gift at the front desk.

BMWK, Will you join us and take our ‘travel gratitude challenge?’