One California hotel manager recently called to redeem her card, he says, confessing that she nabbed 20 business cards from a fishbowl in the lobby of nearby rival La Quinta in an attempt to find prospective customers.

WSJ: Memo to Staff: Take More Risks

Vlassopulos: La Quinta has an app that allows you to make a reservation with just your phone number (without filling out a bunch of information).

FORBES: How To Advertise Without Really Advertising On Mobile Devices

One of the Douro Boys, a group of winemakers that drove this change, welcomes visitors for table wine tastings at Quinta do Crasto.

BBC: The changing landscape of the Douro River Valley