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As you likely know, there are a lot of things that need to be taken care of in order to become a real estate agent in any state. There are a lot of requirements that you need to try and take care of and, on top of that, you need to be certain that you’re doing what you need to accomplish in order to stay ahead and find what you may need to get the best results for your efforts. If you want to start a career as a real estate agent, what are you supposed to do?

Many states have licensing requirements that you have to follow in order to be certain that you’re getting everything that you need to stay ahead of the process. You have to meet certain criteria and know that you’re not going to end up in a situation where it may be difficult to work at the same time. There are many places that you can go now in order to get your real estate license for whatever state(s) you are looking to work with, and you will discover that some of them are even online, which makes it that much more convenient in the long run.

A good real estate course is going to give you all of the tools that you need so that you can become a real estate agent without too much stress of hassle. The fact of the matter is, you want to get into a position where you are going to be able to get just what you need. If you’re currently working, you need the flexibility that online classes provide so that you can get ahead and start making the necessary steps toward whatever goals that you may be looking at in the future.

On top of course work, you also need to make sure that you are going to have connections with those that will be able to mentor you. Many schools will require that you take the time to do this as part of your coursework as well. You want to know what you may be getting yourself into during this process and you want to feel confident that, when you have completed your entire program, that you are going to be able to pass the test to get your license and that you will feel comfortable when you get out and start selling real estate on your own.

All in all, there are a lot of things that you can do in order to start working toward the goals that you have in mind for real estate. Consider looking at all of the different options that are out there and put together a game plan that is going to make the most sense for you and whatever needs that you may have in that regard. When all is said and done, you will discover that it can work out quite well if you’re willing to take the necessary steps to make it a reality.

Before I continue, let’s first make sure we’re on the same page about who were referring to when we use the expression ‘millennial traveller’.

Millennials, also more commonly referred to as Generation Y or Generation Next, are people who were born between the early 1980s and early 2000s. They make up about 20% of international travellers and it is estimated that by 2020, they will account for more than 320 million international trips.

Phew. Those are some staggering numbers right there! It’s no wonder that hotels are wooing them with everything they have. But for all the effort they’re making, do hotels really have what Millennials want? Do they even know what Millennials are looking for?

If you’re not quite sure, let me drop a few hints your way

Hint No.1: Technology is their life force

Technology is to Millennials what water is to fish – life itself. The perks that most of us consider good to have – Internet, Wi-fi, hi-speed mobile data – are essential to their way of living.

What this means for hotels

According to a report, almost 71% of Millennial travelers considered free Wi-fi an important factor when choosing a hotel. So hotels, pull up your socks and put the technology in place for them. Or they’re likely to walk up to your competitor and book a room with them.

Hint No.2: Millennials love their smartphones

‘Technology at your fingertips’ is an expression that’s taken very seriously by the Millennials. He is likely to go for hours without food and water, but not without checking his smartphone. He works, plays, chats, networks, writes emails, watches videos, and stays up to date on news using his phone. Other more complicated actions like booking tickets, making hotel arrangements, and paying bills can also be competently handled by his handset.

What this means for hotels

It’s absolutely imperative that hotels invest in superior mobile technology, starting with a website that adapts to different screen sizes and resolutions. With more than half of millennial travelers using mobile devices to discover and book hotels, the hospitality industry is paying a heavy price for not investing in a mobile responsive website. You might also want to consider getting an app for your hotel, to facilitate functions like mobile check in, check out, payments, and en-cashing loyalty points.

Hint No.3: Millennials are ‘social’ creatures

Generation Y is often criticized for shirking the forms of social interaction that their parents were fond of. They’re considered aloof, standoffish, and a little bit asocial. But the truth is that Millennials do tend to connect to each other, just not in ways that are familiar to us. The online world, especially social media, takes precedence in their social life. Facebook, Twitter, What’sApp, GChat, and Snapchat is where they hang out, check in, upload pictures, start conversations, and share details of their life.

What this means for hotels

Given that social media is one of the biggest influencing factors in the life of a Millennial, hotels must make a concerted effort to have a presence on various platforms. In fact, they must go beyond the token Facebook and Instagram page and build a community online. Reach out to your audience, engage them, solve their problems, and invite them to leave reviews. An active social media profile inspires confidence among Millennials and is likely to win you brownie points in the long run.

Hint No.4: Millennials place great faith in peer reviews

Generation Y is a suspicious lot and they can recognize a marketing gimmick from a mile away. For this reason, they rely heavily on ‘peer review’ to gather information about a place. Whether they’re buying a new gadget or trying out a restaurant in the neighborhood, you’ll see them pouring over reviews before deciding to do anything. They consider it a more authentic and ‘real’ source of information. And you can be 100 per cent sure that they’ll be reading up about your hotel before deciding to stay there.

What this means for hotels

Do not try to patronize or trick the Millennial traveller. All your online properties (website, blog, social media profiles) should display accurate information, accompanied by up-to-date pictures. If you’re offering a deal or discount, lay out the terms in black and white. Encourage your visitors to leave you a review on platforms like Trip-advisor or your Facebook page; incentivize the process, if you have to. Should you receive a negative review, take steps to address it and resolve the situation.

Millennials don’t expect you to be flawless. However, they do expect you to be transparent and sincere. Mistakes are an inevitable part of your industry and if you’ve taken every possible step to rectify the problem, you will be forgiven. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself at the receiving end of a nasty review posted for the entire world to see.

Hint No.5: Millennials are into Bleisure

Generation Y is relatively unencumbered by responsibilities at home and are more open to taking business trips. However, unlike the previous generation, almost 62% of millennial travelers will extend their business vacation to explore the place and gain cultural experiences.

What this means for hotels

Gone are the days when that solitary desk in the hotel room took care of any ‘business needs’ that travelers had. Millennials do not like working inside their rooms. This is the generation that steps out to a coffee shop to sit with their laptops and work for hours. The concept of the ‘third space’, independent of home and office, has been popularized by them. Design hotel lobbies to cater to this demand, so that when they step out in search for a place to work, they don’t have to go very far.

Hint No.6: Millennials look for authentic experiences

Despite what might look like their preoccupation with the cyber world, Millennials are always looking for unique and meaningful travel experiences. They want their stay personalized and won’t pass up an opportunity to learn something valuable. Not content with hitting the high spots of a tourist destination, they crave interaction with locals and enjoy immersing themselves in a variety of cultural experiences.

What this means for hotels

Reject the cookie cutter approach to the services you offer your guests. Offer them a genuine travel experience, one that is immersive, interactive and hands on. Don’t just take them on a regular sightseeing tour that showcases the city from behind the panes of a bus or car window. Take them to meet local artisans, show them the way to the hip and happening underground bar, and expose them to interesting customs and traditions. That’s the only way to add true value to their life and create an experience they will cherish for life.

There’s no denying that Millennials are driving the hospitality industry with full force. They already account for a third of the hotel guests in the world, and by 2020, the figure is expected to climb to 50 per cent.

To keep pace with growing demands, hotels must show a willingness to evolve and reinvent themselves. They have to put aside traditional methods of functioning, revisit their marketing strategy, and curate unique experiences for Generation Y.

Besides, it is in their best interest that hotels up their game. By updating their offers, hotels stay relevant within the industry and equipped to deal with the demands of changing times. Millennial travelers are the cash cow that every industry dreams of, and by catering to them, hotels are ensuring themselves a solid revenue stream for the next few decades, at least.

Real Estate in Lebanon has experienced some severe contrasting periods. In the early 90’s, the real estate sector pulled up the entire economy through intensive programs of reconstruction set by the government and other private institutions. New buildings were popping up across the whole country.

This positive impact of the real estate sector on the Lebanese economy was challenged during the last few years. The vast majority of residential buildings that were constructed during the last ten years were aimed at high-end customer’s level coming mainly from the Gulf, while internal demand was oriented towards medium standing apartments and properties. Since the external demand, mainly coming from Arabs in the Gulf region was increasing in volume, this has led to a sharp increase in real estate prices. This is not anymore the case especially for the last couple of years. The external demand has stabilized adding to that the government endorsement of laws limiting the percentage of properties that can be sold to foreigners. The real estate market is not flooded by liquidity as it was the case few years ago, and prices are expected to stay stagnant at least for the coming two to three years. Many positive signs are emerging in this period.

The real estate sector is being managed now by more professional institutions. This represents a major switch for this industry where traditionally families run mainly this sector. The best illustration is that investors are now conducting market research and feasibility studies prior to actual constructions. This was not the case 10 years ago.

Another positive sign is the return of international investors to downtown Beirut. Virgin, Ericsson and almost all financial institutions in the country have their headquarters there. The major effort that has been made by the country to attract investors is now bearing fruit.

This success is not surprising; Lebanon has many benefits for large corporations. Its location makes it an ideal gateway to the Middle East and the quality of life can meet the expats’ expectations and facilitates their implementation.

Beyond that, the banking laws are favorable for foreign companies wishing to locate in the region. The future may be considered as promising. Several major projects are now under construction. In Beirut downtown, a chain reaction is expected and which can be explained as follows: the more the number of multinational companies move to downtown Beirut, the more the multinational companies will want to locate their offices there. This is not just applicable to the city center; this fact also affects the surrounding neighborhoods.

The real estate market in Lebanon has experienced as well a dramatic rise in terms of the investments that have been injected into it. These investments come from Arabs, expatriates, and foreign investors.

Across the whole Arab region, the real estate sector in Lebanon has received the majority of Arab and foreign investments with a big boost in demand on the it properties in Lebanon.

The real estate market in Lebanon was the primary recipient of all Arab investments and constituted 80 percent of such investments.

Beirut, once considered the “Pearl of the Orient” is now ranked the most expensive city in the Middle East and Africa, ahead of Dubai, Istanbul and Johannesburg.

Cosmopolitan on one hand and traditional one the other, this place certainly delivers what it promises. One of the hottest vacation destinations in the world, it isn’t hard to find cheap flights to Dubai. A vibrant metropolis with an imposing skyline and a fascinating charm, the city is undoubtedly one of the jewels of the Middle East. An established trading and commercial hub of the continent, an attractive leisure hotspot, and a place with well-preserved heritage, Dubai enjoys a rather varied reputation.

Taking a trip to Dubai can be easily compared with riding on a time machine. Replete with various historical landmarks, archeological sites and many places of cultural importance, exploring the city is like a journey through time. Dotted in and around Dubai you’ll find numerous examples of its glorious past, such as the Dubai Museum that houses hundreds of artifacts, Hatta Heritage Village, Burj Nahar, Philately House, House of the Camel, House of the Horse, Sheikh Saeed’s House, Al Fahidi Fort, Sheikh Saeed Al Maktoum House, and Al Ahmadiya School & Heritage House. Dynamism is what you find in every nook and cranny of the Dubai, be it the chromatic life size dioramas vividly depict everyday life before the discovery of oil, art allergies and exhibition centers recreating scenes from the Creek, traditional Arab houses adorning the lanes and alleys of the city, mosques and old souks, date farms, and desert and marine life. Things like sunshine, shopping, seaside fun and adventure sports, you’ll find it in great abundance. Being on the crossroads of Asia, Europe and Africa, Dubai is rather situated well to attract visitors from places far and wide. A spectacular city, Dubai is where the conventions of the past meet and amalgamate with the comforts and offerings of the west beautifully.

Catering every kind of palate and impressing even the most discerning tourists, Dubai is laden with landmarks and sites that are worth drooling over. Take a trip to Burj Arab, the iconic symbol of Dubai, enjoy ecotourism at The World, visit Dubai Marina, see the city in its high-tech avatar at the Dubai Internet City, witness total entertainment at the Dubailand, reserve an entire day to spend at the largest shopping mall of the world, the City of Arabia, experience what state-of-the-art means at the Dubai Sports City, ride the Dubai Metro, get an aerial view of the Dubai standing atop Burjkhalifa, or take a pick from visiting Palm Trilogy, Atlantis, and the Business Bay. The emirate boasts of a dazzling nightlife, an elaborate wining and dining scene and revelry beyond compare. Enjoy a candle-lit dinner at a fancy restaurant, dance the night away at the thumping nightclubs, enjoy lively conversations at one of the various elegant cafes, or a few rounds of drinks at any of the several glitzy pubs and bars. Loaded with luxurious accommodations and cheap hotels alike, Dubai welcomes one and all.