• Mike Baxtor, House of Gods
• Barry Makin, GM, Cromlix Hotel
• Lorraine Garvie, Head of Commercial Operations, Crieff Hydro

We get their take on the changes in hospitality and guest experiences, what it will take to stand out and how they’re addressing tech and digital transformation.

We ask

• How are hospitality perceptions shifting for your business?
• Where is the role of AI and automation both in operations and guest experience?
• With IT infrastructure changing quickly, where's your focus?
• Where's the line of digitalised guest journeys to human?

From the grand lobby and recently refurbished restaurant to the cottages, spa and Aqua Club, this is a story about heritage, reinvestment and the power of family values. But more than that, it’s about people. Kai's journey from porter at 18 to senior leadership, and the pride shared by long-serving team members, says everything about the culture being built here.

What We Explore

- From Porter to Leader: How rotational training, mentorship and industry qualifications are shaping the next generation of hospitality talent.

- Sustainability in Action: Why EarthCheck silver, local sourcing and conscious refurbishment are embedded in daily decision making.

- Community at the Core: How family ownership, long service and local partnerships create loyalty that guests can feel.

We walk through rooms transformed during lockdown, a ballroom reupholstered by a local seamstress, and suites designed to frame uninterrupted Atlantic views. We talk about levelling the seasonality curve in Cornwall, investing year-round, and building experiences that keep guests returning for weddings, birthdays and multi-generational stays.

There’s also a strong message about perception. Hospitality is too often seen as a fallback career, yet here is a business investing in young people, visiting schools and championing the industry as a genuine profession. With over 450 years of combined service celebrated at one long-service dinner, it’s clear that loyalty runs deep.

The Headland blends heritage with evolution. It embraces sustainability without losing soul. It nurtures talent instead of waiting for it to appear. And standing on that coastline, looking out over the Atlantic, you can feel that this is more than just a hotel. It’s a community.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

With 19 four-star hotels across Great Britain, Q Hotels had the scale, the rooms and the opportunity. What they needed was consistency, visibility and a structured way to empower front office teams to enhance the guest experience while driving incremental revenue. The result has been a people-first programme that blends technology, training and recognition in a way that is delivering measurable impact.

What You’ll Discover

- What Last Mile Revenue Really Means: Why check-in is your final opportunity to influence room revenue and enhance the guest journey.

- From Inconsistent Upselling to Structured Success: How integrating with the PMS, training “champions” and setting clear targets created alignment across 14 hotels.

- The Commercial Impact of Empowered Teams: How Q Hotels achieved just under 40% uplift in incremental revenue and set sights on a 1 to 2 percent RevPAR impact.

What stands out most is the virtuous cycle. When expectations are clear, performance is visible and success is shared, guests enjoy better experiences, staff see the benefit in their pay packets and hotels unlock revenue that would otherwise be left on the table.

If you are an independent hotelier wondering how to drive incremental spend without relying solely on digital tactics, this conversation offers a practical blueprint grounded in real results. Technology matters, but as this episode makes clear, people remain the last mile.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

From Airbnb regulation and business rates to data privacy, AI and guest expectations, this is an honest, practical conversation about protecting your business without losing sight of what hospitality is actually about.

What We Explore

- The Uneven Playing Field: Why short-term lets, ghost kitchens and inconsistent regulation are creating a compliance tax for responsible operators.

- Data, Direct and the Battle for Loyalty: How anonymised bookings, OTAs and fragmented systems are reshaping customer ownership.

- Experience Over Everything: Why the real differentiator is still how you make people feel, even as AI and automation reshape operations.

We hear how Supercity’s lean apart-hotel model is feeling the strain of rising business rates and wage increases, while campaigning for fairer regulation. Village Hotels shares the complexity of building a unified customer view across hotels, leisure clubs, co-working and retail, all while navigating data compliance and evolving guest expectations. Mollie’s brings the perspective of a challenger brand balancing value-led design, B Corp ambitions and the realities of scaling responsibly.

There is frustration here, especially around short-term political thinking and the lack of long-term vision for hospitality. But there is also optimism. Whether it is using bots to remove admin so teams can focus on guests, rethinking loyalty, or doubling down on community and wellbeing, the message is clear. Compliance matters, but connection wins.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

From ownership and reinvestment to digital performance, IT infrastructure and the next generation of talent, this episode pulls together key moments from across the morning. You’ll hear from the team behind The Headland, their technology partners, and a young hospitality professional who started here at 14 and never left.

Those who feature include Veryan Palmer family director and Simon IT Manager and Charlie and young hospitlaity recruit at The Headland Hotel, James Cavanagh-Shaddock from Cornwall Hospitality Collective, Sharon Cowley of Net Affinity, Katrina Blunden from 80 Days, Sam McCabe and Eli Rous from Focus on Hospitality, and Paul Wells from Studio Moren.

What You’ll Discover

- Legacy Meets Leadership: Why reinvesting profits, protecting core standards and staying curious has delivered The Headland’s strongest revenue year yet.

- Data, AI and Infrastructure in Practice: From 6,000 monthly AI searches to cybersecurity, connectivity and proactive IT partnerships that keep operations resilient.

- Building the Future Workforce: How the Cornwall Hospitality Collective is rallying 45 members, engaging schools and turning students into hospitality professionals.

You’ll also hear from Net Affinity, 80 Days, and Focus on Hospitality, all working closely with The Headland to align brand, performance and physical experience. The message is clear. Success is not one initiative. It is collaboration, clarity and constant evolution.

Our sponsors also include Biteluxe, Studio Moren and Hospitality Action.

If you are an independent hotelier wondering how to balance heritage with innovation, or how to future-proof your operation without losing your identity, this conversation is for you.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Featuring David Ohanjanian from Up Hotel Agency, Sharon Cowler of Netaffinity, Prem Jethwa-Odedra from Biteluxe, Alessandra Leoni from Focus on Hospitality, Scot Turner from Auden Hospitality

What We Explore

- Personalisation & Story: How Whittlebury Park is using small, specific touches and guest data to move beyond generic messaging and create stays that feel remembered, not just recorded.

- Websites & Conversion: Why a clear brief, flexible design and a shorter booking journey turned Whittlebury’s website into both a brand window and a serious revenue driver.

- Tech & Human Balance: How booking engines, WhatsApp, on-site data capture and smarter F&B and spatial design can support direct bookings and guest satisfaction without losing the heart of hospitality.

What stayed with me from this roundtable is how hoteliers challenges are shared, whether running a vast estate or opening a single independent hotel. The tools are there, but the real work is choosing the right ones, aligning owners and teams, and keeping the guest’s reality at the centre. Sometimes - tech is not the answer.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In a tour of their impressive golf, spa, and conference facilities, we talk about their approach to digital marketing, the smart investments they're making in tech and data, and how they're getting to know their audiences better while chasing new ones like the family segment.

What We Explore

- Three Businesses, One Property: Creates seamless experiences for completely different crowds across golf, spa, and conferences

- Digital Marketing Smarts: The tools and strategies the team uses to boost visibility, understand guest needs, and target fresh markets without losing the core appeal. 

- Guest-First Innovation: Why investing in data and tech is all about delivering what people really want and how that's opening doors to new demographics.

Bradley’s insights reminded me why places like Whittlebury thrive: it's not just about the amenities, it's about knowing your guests and evolving with them. If you're in hospitality and wondering how to blend tradition with tech, this conversation will give you plenty to think about and maybe even steal a few ideas. 

Thanks for listening to Hoteliers Voice. If it sparked something, share with a colleague or drop me a note. More episodes coming soon where we learn from the best in the industry.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We chat as we wander the property, diving into how tech keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes while the team focuses on that genuine, family-feel hospitality PortoBay is famous for. Nicholas shares stories of return guests who feel like old friends, the clever systems that make operations effortless, and why Madeira's unique vibe keeps people coming back year after year.

Through out conversation, Nicholas talks about his career - traveling the world and the yearning to return back to the home island that he loves.

It's a relaxed, eye-opening stroll that shows why this hotel group stands out - and how to make a career in hospitality.

What We Discover

- The Return-Guest Secret: Nicholas explains how 60% of guests come back for the average nine-night stay – it's all about that personal touch and island charm.

- Tech That Frees the Team: From seamless check-ins to inventory systems, the tools that let staff spend more time hugging regulars and less on admin.

- Madeira's Magic Touch: Why the island's natural beauty and PortoBay's family vibe create experiences you can't replicate anywhere else.

- Santa Maria's secret spot: How the hotel creates energy and fuels 50% of the hotel as well as feeding its guests

Nicholas reminded me why I love these spots: great tech is essential, but it's the people and the place that make you never want to leave. If you're planning a Madeira getaway, Santa Maria should be top of your list.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

I sit down with Fiona Fontes, who’s been with PortoBay for 15 years and is now Marketing Coordinator (with a real passion for digital), and Alex Esneriaga, Resident Manager at Ilha Porto Mare, who’s grown up on Madeira and knows these resorts inside out. We dig into how their app and loyalty systems keep guests coming back, the tech that supports flawless service, and why nothing beats a genuine human recommendation when you’re on holiday.

What We Discover

- Digital Loyalty That Feels Personal: Fiona explains how the app and smart campaigns turn one-off visitors into regulars who feel part of the PortoBay family.

- Tech Freeing Up People: The systems that handle everything from keys to bookings so staff can focus on real connections and those little touches that make a stay unforgettable.

- Human Over Algorithm: Alex shares why guests still crave authentic local tips from someone who knows the island, not just an AI suggestion.

Spending time with Fiona and Alex reminded me why PortoBay feels so special: great tech is brilliant, but it’s the people using it who create memories that last. If you’re thinking about guest experience or loyalty strategies, there’s plenty here to borrow.

Hoteliers’ Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In Part 2 of our New Forest Roundtable, recorded live at New Park Manor Hotel as part of the Hospitality Discussions UK Roundtable Roadshow, we move the conversation forward - shifting focus from cost and pressure to opportunity. Together with hotel leaders, operators and industry partners, we explore how hospitality businesses are rethinking revenue generation, guest relationships and long-term growth.

Featuring Sharon Cowley from Netaffinity (silver sponsor) Prem Jethwa-Odedra of Biteluxe (Bronze sponsor) and Scot Turner from Auden Hospitality (silver sponsor), Alessandra Leoni of Focus on Hospitality our Platinum sponsor and Paul Wells from Studio Moren (bronze sponsor).

This episode digs into the practical realities behind direct bookings, personalisation, technology, AI and physical space and how all of these choices shape not just guest experience, but staff experience and leadership confidence too.

What We Explore

- Revenue Beyond the Room: How hotels are reducing reliance on OTAs, using data and personas to drive direct bookings, and creating more meaningful upsell and experience-led revenue.

- Experience as a System, Not a Moment: Why guest experience starts long before arrival and extends beyond checkout - from digital journeys and pre-arrival communication to staff experience and leadership culture.

- Expansion, Design and the Role of AI: How hotels are thinking differently about growth - through better use of space, learning from other sectors, and using AI to remove friction without losing the human touch.

As we wrap up this second session, one thing becomes clear: experience is no longer just about the guest. It lives in systems, spaces, data, leadership decisions and how supported teams feel day to day. Growth doesn’t come from chasing every opportunity, but from making clearer choices about who we serve, how we serve them, and where we invest next.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

I catch up with André Dória, Head of Digital Empowerment, on the PortoBay story and Madeira's unique charm, then dive deep with Rui Alves, Head of IT, on the tech backbone powering everything from seamless reservations to smart guest experiences.

We cover how they're embedding AI thoughtfully, the roadmap ahead for even smarter operations, and why blending cutting-edge systems with island hospitality keeps guests coming back.

What We Explore

- PortoBay's Island Soul: André shares how Madeira's natural beauty and PortoBay's family vibe set them apart in a crowded market.

- Tech That Powers the Magic: Rui breaks down the IT infrastructure holding it all together, from cloud systems to data-driven decisions.

- AI's Smart Role: The careful ways they're using AI to enhance guest stays without losing that personal touch.

André and Rui make it clear: great hotels aren't just about beds and beaches; they're about tech that frees people to create real connections. Excited for Part 2 with Fiona and Alex.

Hoteliers’ Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

This episode was recorded live at New Park Manor Hotel in the New Forest as part of the Hospitality Discussions UK Roundtable Roadshow. We’re joined by hotel leaders, operators and suppliers from across the industry for an open, honest conversation about the realities facing hospitality right now - and why talking about them together matters more than ever.

Featuring in this episode includes

Our host - Byron Fiddler, Hotel Manager at New Park Manor

Platinum sponsor - Alessandra Leoni, Focus on Hospitality

Silver sponsor - Scot Turner, Auden Hospitality

Silver sponsor - Prem Jethwa-Odedra, Biteluxe

Silver sponsor - Sharon Cowley, Netaffinity

Also, Shannon Rockey from Lime Wood Group, Tom Pyke of Balmer Lawn Hotel and Josie Clare from Stanwell House

The discussion brings together voices from across operations, technology, food and beverage, design and people leadership. What emerges isn’t a list of easy answers, but something far more valuable - shared perspective, practical insight, and reassurance that many of the pressures we’re feeling are widely shared.

What We Explore

- Cost Pressure Without Compromise: How rising costs are forcing hospitality leaders to rethink value, pricing and experience - not just efficiency.

- Technology Overload and Decision Fatigue: Why hotel tech has become increasingly complex, and how leaders are trying to make clearer, more confident choices.

- People, Culture and Leadership Loneliness: What it really feels like to lead in hospitality right now and why connection and peer conversation matter more than ever.

As we close, one message lands clearly: the challenges facing hospitality are shared - and so are the solutions. Whether we’re running independent hotels or larger groups, grappling with cost pressure, tech decisions or people leadership, there is real value in stepping out of isolation and into conversation.

This roundtable isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about asking better questions - together.

Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Together, we explore the property inside and out: from the spa overlooking roaming deer to the den and cinema room, the family dining experience that adapts to fussy eaters, and the design choices that stand up to the joy (and chaos) of little guests. As Byron and I sit fireside, we dig into the realities behind the scenes - staffing challenges, training and development, keeping families engaged during rainy days, and how sustainability and heritage influence the character of this historic hotel.

What We Discover Together

- Family Luxury, Without Compromise: How New Park Manor balances design, service and experiences so parents relax, kids explore and dogs feel right at home.

- Training People, Not Just Skills: Why Byron prioritises personality-led hiring, strong development programmes, and leadership growth to support a busy, evolving hotel.

- Hospitality as a Career of Possibility: We reflect on how diverse backgrounds from reception to carpentry can lead to management roles and exciting opportunities across the world.

Being here at New Park Manor reminded me that great family hospitality isn’t just about amenities - it’s about creating a place where everyone, in every age or shape of family life, feels welcomed, known, and looked after.

Hoteliers’ Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, I bring together three incredible experts: Christina Lemme (Senior Director, Global Media at Sojern), Caryl Helsel (Founder & CEO, Dragonfly Strategists), and Lee Hawkins (Founder, InsideOut Solutions) to dissect the just-released 2025 Hotel Digital Marketing Performance Index and separate signal from noise.

What You’ll Learn

- The AI Paradox: Why Google’s Performance Max for Travel Goals slashed CAC 19% and delivered 4× booking growth - while the rest of the market got hammered by soaring costs.

- The Desktop Surprise: 63% of actual bookings (and 71% of revenue) still come from desktop, even in a mobile-obsessed world.

- Consent Mode Chaos: How Google Consent Mode v2 is hiding conversions, inflating CPA by up to 38%, and quietly wrecking hotel ad performance.

From OTA bidding wars and shrinking ad inventory to the looming impact of ChatGPT-powered search, we cut through the headlines to deliver the practical moves independent hotels and groups need to make right now.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode, I am joined by panellists Claire, Will, and James, plus special guests Jaz Amar (Global VP Brand Marketing & Communications, Accor) and Andy Headington (CEO & Founder, Adido). We unpack what really sucks us in as consumers, the power of long-term brand consistency, the pitfalls of short-termism, and why AI won’t replace bold, human-centred marketing anytime soon.

What You’ll Learn

- Generational Pull: How Lego keeps reinventing itself across ages and the travel brands that could learn from its franchise magic.

- Consistency Over Chaos: Why sticking to your brand voice for 3–5 years beats chasing trends, and how Accor builds emotional connections beyond the logo.

- Investor vs Vision Tension: The real struggle between quick wins for shareholders and the patient craft of unforgettable marketing.

This episode is a masterclass in cutting through the noise: great marketing isn’t louder ads - it’s smarter stories that make travellers choose you again and again.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode Tavel Market Life, I am joined by Mandy Stam, Senior Director of Business Solutions at Radisson Hotel Group, and Felix Undeutsch, CEO & Co-founder of Hivr.ai. They pull back the curtain on Radisson’s three-year quest to automate the flood of M&E requests, from painful manual processes to a scalable AI-powered partnership that’s already slashing response times and boosting conversions.

What You’ll Learn

- The Hidden Pain: Why meetings and events enquiries are the Wild West of hotel sales - high volume, low visibility, and teams drowning in copy-paste chaos.

- Pilot-First Trust: How Radisson and Hivr.ai built confidence with small-property trials, real metrics, and radical transparency instead of glossy promises.

- Measurement Over Magic: The power of finally seeing your baseline - conversion rates, timeouts, bottlenecks and turning blind spots into actionable wins.

Mandy and Felix’s journey is a masterclass in practical automation: start small, measure everything, trust the data, and watch scattered enquiries become streamlined revenue.

For more on the solution, visit hivr.ai.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this special feature on Travel Market Life, I gather a powerhouse panel of experts to unpack the evolution of high-end travel and hospitality. From Becky Lukovic's custom cultural immersions at Bella Travel to Christopher Hill's impact-driven safaris, Catt McLeod's authentic Elegant Hotels ethos, Douglas Waddell's tech-savvy strategies, and Priscilla Haryadi's global hotel portfolio at Preferred Hotels & Resorts, they reveal how personalisation, sustainability, and seamless tech are reshaping traveller dreams.

What You’ll Learn

- Personalised Escapes: Why today's luxury prioritises listening to individual passions - be it gourmet bike tours or volunteer wildlife tracking - over cookie-cutter extravagance.

- Sustainable Sophistication: The rise of eco-luxury, from rhino conservation safaris to hotels embedding community impact, proving indulgence and ethics can coexist.

- Tech as Silent Partner: How AI and clever digital tools enhance 24/7 service without overwhelming staff, freeing humans for those irreplaceable, memorable touches.

This roundtable is a blueprint for what luxury craves next: experiences that feel like secrets shared, blending heart, innovation, and the world's wild beauty.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this live episode recorded at the Independent Hotel Show 2025, we dive deep into the critical weak points in hotel technology. Bringing together hospitality leaders Alessandra Leone, Douglas Waddell, and Tanya Stellard we ask what happens when the tech stack doesn’t quite stack up.

From legacy systems and fragile infrastructure to fragmented tools that don’t talk to each other, we unpack the operational realities hotels face today. This isn’t just about tech for tech’s sake - it’s about aligning technology with strategy, empowering teams, and delivering experiences guests actually want.

What You’ll Learn

- Infrastructure First: Why building a strong foundation is the key to making every system work better.

- People at the Core: How involving teams early in the tech journey leads to better adoption and smoother operations.

- Smart Investment: Why strategy (not shiny tools), should drive every tech decision.

This conversation is a reminder that the best hotel technology isn’t about having the most - it’s about making it work seamlessly, together, for guests and teams alike.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, Craig Everett, CEO and Co-Founder of HollyBob, joins us to explore the power of innovation, entrepreneurship, and AI in the travel industry.

Craig shares how a simple university ski trip turned into his first business, how HollyBob was born, and why travel experiences are the next frontier for digital transformation. From AI-powered itineraries to under-tourism strategies, this conversation dives into how technology and human connection can work together to shape the future of travel.

What You'll Learn

From Idea to Impact: How a grassroots travel idea grew into HollyBob, a platform transforming how travellers book experiences.

Tech Meets Tourism: Why AI and agentic commerce are reshaping the way people plan, book, and enjoy their holidays.

Entrepreneurial Mindset: Craig's honest lessons on focus, failure, and building a business that lasts in a changing landscape.

Craig's story is a brilliant reminder that the travel industry thrives on curiosity, connection and courage. Technology might change how we explore the world - but people will always shape the journey.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We dive into how WhatsApp integrations are transforming hotel operations by driving revenue, enhancing guest engagement, and streamlining processes, all while balancing the needs of leisure and corporate guests with personalized technology.

What You’ll Learn

- Guest Engagement: Discover how WhatsApp enables pre-arrival surveys to tailor guest experiences and unlock upsell opportunities, creating memorable stays.

- Revenue Growth: Learn how proactive messaging anticipates guest needs, offering personalised add-ons that convert interactions into impactful sales.

- Operational Efficiency: Explore how automated WhatsApp communications reduce reliance on traditional phone calls, saving time while preserving a personal touch.

Together, Joji and Prem share why embracing platforms like WhatsApp is a game-changer for hotels, fostering authentic connections and driving financial success in a competitive market.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this live episode of Travel Market Life from the Independent Hotel Show London, I bring together industry voices reshaping the commercial engine of hospitality. Teresa Kingston (Luxury Family Hotels), Prem Jethwa Odedra (ByteLux) and Inna Nakrasifova (Hotel Café Royal) join the discussion on how to align marketing and revenue strategy, build loyalty through meaningful experiences, and harness AI without losing the human touch.

From WhatsApp bots to dog-friendly perks, emotional storytelling to data-driven decisions, this is a practical conversation about what it takes to future-proof your hotel’s commercial strategy and why collaboration is now a commercial necessity, not just a nice-to-have.

What You’ll Learn

- United Teams, Stronger Results: Why aligning marketing and revenue isn’t just efficient - it’s transformative for profitability.

- AI with a Human Face: How smart use of AI can enhance guest experience and unlock new revenue streams without losing personal service.

- Experience Over Room Rate: Why storytelling, loyalty, and emotional connection drive direct bookings and long-term growth.

As this conversation shows, the future of hospitality isn’t about choosing between tech and human brilliance - it’s about combining them.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We explore burnout, work-life balance, and the shift from grinding to thriving.

What You’ll Learn

- Self-Care Strategies: Recognise burnout early and set boundaries to rediscover joy in your role.

- Humanising Work: Prioritise authentic connections over technology to reduce stress.

- Seeking Support: Tap into coaching or collectives for tools to manage professional pressures.

Mike and Otto's stories empower us to humanise hospitality, inspiring a balanced life where self-care fuels exceptional service.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we explore the dynamic world of rail travel with Stephen Robey from Eurostar and Anna Davis from Railbookers Group. Joined by our usual expert panellists James Clark, Claire Steiner, and Will Plummer, we dive into global rail trends, from high-speed thrills to leisurely scenic escapes, sharing personal stories and bold visions for the future of rail.

What You’ll Discover

- Global Rail Adventures: Get inspired by seamless, stress-free journeys like the high-speed Shanghai-to-Beijing route.

- Overcoming Barriers: Navigate UK pricing challenges with affordable, picturesque European rail options for leisure travel.

- Future of Rail: Explore how competition, like innovative 'RyanTrain' models, could make rail more accessible and affordable.

We unpack Eurostar’s ambitious expansion, Railbookers’ strategic partnerships, and the panel’s favourite rail experiences - from the nostalgic charm of Swanage’s steam trains to the futuristic rush of China’s magnetic Maglev.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of our mini-series with The Montague on the Gardens, part of the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, I sit down with James, the hotel's Front of House Manager. We walk through the property, exploring the rooms, suites, and the finer details that make this London hotel stand out.

From elegant interiors and thoughtful renovations, to in-room technologies and concierge services, James shares how his team balances tradition with modern guest expectations. We discuss what it takes to deliver highly personalised service, how technology supports but never replaces human touch, and why attention to detail across every department defines the guest journey.

What You'll Learn

- Hospitality in Practice: How front of house teams create lasting first impressions and seamless stays.

- Blending Old & New: The role of design, renovation, and technology in shaping guest experiences.

- Personalisation at Scale: Why tailored concierge services are the hallmark of true luxury.

James's perspective reminds us that while hotels evolve with new technologies and trends, it's people and personal service that turn a stay into a story worth remembering.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What You'll Learn

- Personalised Hospitality: Implement TNT (tiny noticeable touches) to make every guest feel unique and valued.

- Staff Empowerment: Foster a passionate team by prioritising genuine care over rigid rules for authentic service.

- Tech Integration: Use tools like Opera Cloud and Simphony to streamline tasks, freeing staff for meaningful interactions.

We explore Arietta's insights on upgrading the hotel's vibe with music, knowing guest preferences from doormen to breakfast teams, and why hospitality thrives on human connections.

Arietta's story empowers us to celebrate the heart of hospitality, inspiring warmer, more memorable stays for all.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Chloe gets real about handling influencer overload, tracking impact with data, and playing with AI tools like ChatGPT and Adobe Firefly for sharper captions and visuals—while keeping things human. From dodging cookie-cutter content to boosting SEO for visibility, this is a raw, practical take on balancing creativity and business in the wild world of social media.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we dive into the growth of adventure travel and touring with Claire Brighton, ATAS Director, and regular panellists James Clark, Claire Steiner, and Will Plummer. We explore evolving trends, sector shifts post-summer, and ways travel businesses can diversify products to attract families, solo travellers, and eco-conscious explorers.

What You'll Learn

- Trend Spotting: Identify rising demands like family adventures and solo trips to tailor offerings effectively.

- Product Diversification: Integrate tech and sustainability to create unique, off-beaten-track experiences.

- Business Opportunities: Leverage partnerships and local guides to boost bookings and customer loyalty.

We discuss the busy summer season's impact, the appeal of road trips and swimming holidays, and how early exposure to travel shapes careers. Practical tips include focusing on authentic, deserted spots and using apps for seamless touring.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What You’ll Learn

- Networking Boosts: Leverage the new app and extended sessions to connect with peers and suppliers effectively.

- Trend Insights: Explore AI's role in operations and sustainability strategies for smarter hotel management.

- Award Opportunities: Nominate for Hotelier of the Year or Best Design to celebrate and elevate your brand.

We highlight our interactive discussions - join us Monday at 2:15pm for marketing and revenue alignment with experts like Teresa Kingston, or Tuesday at 2:45pm to dissect tech infrastructure with Gregor Ritchie.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

From wildlife adventures at Kedra Safari Lodge to cozy themed high teas, Molly weaves each hotel’s unique story into Instagram and Facebook, boosting engagement by 25%. Using Hootsuite for scheduling and social listening, she shares her secrets to building trust and meaningful engagement with guests via social media.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We explore the challenges of aligning ESG goals across varied regulations and norms, like community-driven initiatives in Egypt and Oman or addressing water consumption where tap water isn’t safe. Renee’s practical steps—integrating ESG into new hotel builds, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting local produce—offer actionable insights for balancing global ambition with local realities, urging hoteliers to embrace ESG now.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

David explores the fast-changing digital landscape, from AI personalisation to mobile-first design, and why integrating CRM and booking engines is key to engaging travellers. Their project led to a 13% rise in conversions and halved bounce rates, showing how smart design drives revenue and connects with guests in a competitive market.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

From managing 83 exclusive apartments to meeting sky-high expectations in just minutes, Luisa reveals how technology amplifies W’s one-of-a-kind charm. We dive into how the app seamlessly empowers her team to go above and beyond with warmth and precision. Together, we explore the magic of blending tech with genuine human connection, giving you a peek into the future of hospitality.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

A clear theme from this year’s conference is that hotels can inspire through storytelling and trust.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts...

We dive into PortoBay’s recipe for fierce staff loyalty on an island where tourism drives 80% of the economy. André shares how experimenting with open-source AI has sharpened their edge, sidestepped data risks, and preserved hospitality’s essence—like cherished guest postcards that still bring smiles years later.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Giants like EasyJet and Jet2 are thriving as smaller operators falter amid mergers. Global tensions, trade tariffs, and shifting budgets are shaking up travel, yet spending is soaring. Is this hiding stagnation, or can niche players like eco-tourism startups shine? We’re also exploring tax hikes, remote work’s decline, and budget tips clients love.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Gregor shares his hard-earned wisdom on what keeps these hotels thriving. He swears by a tight-knit management team, weaving tech into the timeless charm of human connection, and boosting income through spas, leisure breaks, and quirky bookings—without letting OTAs eat the profits. He reveals how a clever refurb can lift room rates by £50 without touching a bedroom and why high-value guests are the lifeblood of independents.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Here’s their take:

• James Lemon from Stripe: Simple payments win guests’ hearts every time. 
• Michael McCartan from IDeaS RMS: Smart marketing skyrockets your profits. 
• Frank Wagner from ACT International: Cloud tech and data unlock huge gains. 
• Carsten Wernetfrom SIHOT: Slick tools deliver seamless guest stays. 
• Markus Mueller from Gauvendi: Sell rooms like Amazon—crafted for each guest. 

Expect top insights on how you can grow bookings, ease stays, and boost profits for your hotel.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Our conversation tackles big questions: Can independent hotels stay competitive? How do we preserve hospitality’s human essence amid advancing tech? It’s an honest look at an industry in transformation.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Austin’s not just hanging on—it’s pushing forward. With a buzzing tech world, a growing airport, and a $30 million hotel refresh, the hospitality scene is hustling to keep the industry alive. This is a real insight into a city that thrives on collaboration.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We’re talking about the big stuff: how automation saves time without ruining the guest vibe, the struggle of getting used to new tools, and keeping things personal in a world overflowing with digital noise. We discuss how hoteliers can streamline operations, cutting costs, and level up guest experiences.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we explore what these changes mean for travel and hospitality with expert Ami Naru, a 25-year veteran in travel employment law. We unpack the Employment Rights Bill, new flexible working rules, and a duty to tackle sexual harassment—with a 25% penalty hike if you don’t.

From practical tips to real-world challenges, this episode cuts through the noise to help you turn compliance into opportunity, no matter your business size.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Neetu’s a powerhouse—think commercial strategies for giants like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG under her belt—and she’s steering Cycas’ sprawling portfolio across the UK and Europe. In this episode we’re unpacking how to spark demand where it’s not obvious, like in Slough, where her team turned a pandemic-era launch into a community-driven success story. 

If you’re into flipping the script on where hospitality can thrive, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Whether you’re planning a business trip, a dream vacation, or just want to level up your travel game, our practical tips will give you a fresh perspective on how to book your next journey like a pro.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We’ve got Tiago Alves from Belmond teasing their PMS and POS digital revamp, and Magdalena Osmola from Villamora World blending neuroscience, AI, and a virtual marina concept. It’s a sneak peek at how tech and human connection will redefine travel at the forum!

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Alessandra discusses her career journey from reception manager to leading commercial and IT departments in hotels, including Resident Hotels. She shares how technology has become essential to both guest experience and hotel operations, and how the workforce has adapted to digital changes. We also explore emerging tech like AI, mobile check-ins, and guest communication tools like WhatsApp, which are enhancing the guest experience and streamlining hotel operations.

She offers advice on what hoteliers should consider when choosing tech solutions, emphasising scalability, flexibility, and integration to future-proof their businesses.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We cover pressures on business owners, such as higher costs for national insurance, business rates, and wages, while managing recruitment and employee needs. We also discus cash flow management in uncertain times and how businesses can stay adaptable. Martin shares his insights on upcoming regulatory changes and how to prepare for them. Plus, we explore the impact of mergers and acquisitions in the travel sector and the opportunities they may bring.

Whether you’re a small business or part of a larger company, this episode offers valuable financial insights to help you position your business for success in 2025.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We dive into how AI-powered tools are making a huge impact on guest communications, pricing strategies, and operations. From dynamic pricing to automating responses to guest queries, AI is streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and helping businesses optimise revenue. Ben shares his experience with AI in managing over 1,300 properties, explaining how AI is used for review management, guest messaging, and identifying revenue opportunities that were once missed.

We also explore the growing importance of AI in helping short-term rental businesses scale while saving time and reducing manual labour. Vered shares the broader adoption of AI tools across the industry and how they’ve become crucial for managing the increased demands of guests and staying competitive in the market.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We discuss how AI-powered tools are improving guest interactions, reducing staff workload, and enhancing guest satisfaction. From engaging with guests on WhatsApp to offering multilingual support, AI helps hotels respond more quickly and efficiently, while also boosting upsell opportunities and operational effectiveness.

Michiel and Maurits share their experiences of using AI in hotels, highlighting key benefits such as increased revenue, fewer mistakes, and improved customer experiences. They also discuss the future of AI in hospitality, explaining how it’s moving beyond simple tasks like answering FAQs to managing hotel systems, including housekeeping and bookings. 

As AI continues to mature, it promises to be a game-changer in hospitality, empowering hotel teams to focus on high-value guest experiences while AI takes care of repetitive tasks.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Andy Whiteside, Director of Digital Communications at 80 Days, shares insights on TikTok’s growing influence among luxury hotels and the importance of YouTube Shorts. TikTok is no longer just for younger audiences - it’s now a key search engine for travellers looking for specific hotel experiences.

Andy offers practical advice for managing social media in-house and investing in training to help your team build a strong online presence. Whether you’re a small hotel or a luxury brand, this episode highlights the key trends you can’t afford to miss.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We dive into how AI is transforming hotel operations and the growing need for electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure in hotels. We discuss the challenges of embracing new technologies, the importance of staying optimistic about industry growth, and how smaller businesses can remain competitive.

We also hear how hoteliers can make the most of events like HOSPACE, emphasising the value of being in the right networks and aligning with industry trends.

WATCH: Travel Market LIVE at HOSPACE on our LinkedIn Live.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We dive into the role platforms like TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram play in shaping business strategies, customer engagement, commercial success and recruitment. We explore community building on Facebook, the challenges of B2B marketing, and how WhatsApp is becoming a go-to for high-engagement communication.

Plus, we discuss how blogs and long-form content might be making a comeback as a way to create stronger connections with audiences and learn some of the latest algorithm changes affecting content visibility.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We discuss the vital role of data, personalisation, and branding in hotel marketing, with:

• Allard Alfrink from Cendyn,
• David Ohandjanian from Up Hotel Agency
• Catt Mcleod of Elegant Hotel Collection
• Chris Bowling of BWH Hotels
• Kalpdrum Raval from the Strand Palace

As we explore the regulatory shifts impacting digital marketing and third-party cookie changes, our experts share strategies for leveraging first-party data and performance marketing to drive customer engagement and maximise revenue. We also reflect on the growing importance of branding and loyalty, particularly in encouraging direct bookings over OTA reliance.

With insights and actionable advice hoteliers looking to adapt their marketing strategies, offering tools to boost visibility, personalise experiences, and stay ahead of industry trends.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We explore AI’s lasting impact on staffing, pricing, and hospitality management, plus shifting consumer behaviours particularly a look at Will’s prediction on the rise of staycations. James reveals why he’s betting on multi-gen travel as a key trend for 2025, while Claire discusses the booming demand for wellness experiences.

With economic uncertainty and new Labour regulations in the mix, we discuss how these challenges could reshape the industry. Plus, we each highlight a trend to watch in 2025, from all-inclusive packages to transparent pricing and small-ship cruising.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

We explore how guest expectations are shifting, with 40% of travellers now expecting seamless, contactless experiences. Yet, as a recent ResDiary report reveals, many hospitality venues are still behind the curve. Nick Pilbeam shares how Queensway Hotels navigates the crowded tech landscape with a strategic approach, balancing guest experience and brand needs.

Niels Mekenkamp dives into the power of data, showing how centralised systems can transform guest information into personalised services that drive loyalty. Jo Cook addresses payment tech, highlighting secure, integrated solutions that smooth the guest journey while keeping compliance in check. Finally, Jenna Oakenfall explains the importance of ongoing staff training to maximise the impact of these tech tools.

With an interactive Q&A with hoteliers to wrap things up, we share actionable insights on tech adoption, integration, and personalisation in hospitality.

Travel Market Life is produced by Urban Podcasts.

How much financial leakage are hotels experiencing? Is a focus on ADR detrimental to overall profitability? 

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we unpack the financial realities of today’s hotel industry, look at financial performance throughout the business and how to improve revenue opportunities – including making growth in F&B and ancillaries

Recorded live at the Independent Hotel Show 2024 with

• Scott Turner, MD, Auden Hospitality reveals challenges in hotel food and beverage profitability, suggesting operational changes like outsourcing to combat high costs. 
• Jonny Siberry, Group Revenue Officer, Sarova Hotels addresses evolving guest expectations, emphasising the need for hotels to adapt their marketing and pricing to attract cost-conscious travelers, especially post-Brexit.
• Nathan Pick , Director of Finance, Zetter Hotels, promotes in-house financial managementusing data-driven strategies to enhance profitability and create unique guest experiences.
• Vineeth Purushothaman, Consultant, White Sky Hospitality, highlights the impact of hidden costs from OTAs and loyalty programs on brand health, recommending data analytics to improve distribution strategies.
• Jutta Moore, MD, Moore Hotel Consulting advocates for dynamic pricing to optimiseoccupancy and revenue based on real-time demand.

Profitability in food and beverage (F&B) dropped by over 30% in the last five years. Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR) is up by 17% in Europe compared to January 2020, F&B revenue increased just 5%. In 2018, hotels’ F&B profit margin stood at an average of 32%, but fast-forward five years and this fell 10 percentage points to 22%.

Discover more https://www.audenhospitality.com/fb-report-h1-2024

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Expect fascinating panels and workshops covering hospitality trends and challenges, including:

• 2024 Performance Metrics from BDO, Hot Stats and Venue Performance
• People Priorities with leaders from the Dorchester and Be Inclusive Hospitality
• Innovation through Design with Nicola Rohn of SHR Group discussing the synergy between design and tech in boosting guest experiences
• Collaboration and consultation - with Ruckus Networks’ Steve Johnson on making successful technology buying decisions 

Nicola Rohn and Steve Johnson join me in this episode to share why HOSPACE is a must for hoteliers. Nicola talks about adapting to the rise of OTAs and the need for direct booking strategies, while Steve delves into the growing demand for personalised digital experiences and sustainability.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Maggie Bazemore provides insight into the relationship between an OTA and technology companies and the challenges involved with developing and maintaining integrations and how hoteliers seek product recommendations. We also look at the trends that are shaping hotel technology.  

Mustafa shares his thoughts and perspectives on integrations within the hospitality tech stack and Jon Siberry from Sarova Hotels explains the journey they went through for a successful payment tech implementation. 

Among the Hospitality Discussions with 20 hoteliers and experts, we explored the following questions:

1. How do you identify if you need a new system and/or tech partner? 
2. How do you assess and secure the budget required?
3. What is the research and decision-making phase? Who is involved and why?
4. What is your opinion on market access to the right type of vendors? How easy is it to find suppliers?
5. What are your top frustrations with the vendor market and sales process?
6. What systems and tech are you looking to procure?

Key factors of consideration from hoteliers included:

• Challenges of integrating various technology systems in hospitality.
• Importance of seamless system integration for managing rates and availability.
• Evaluation criteria for selecting technology vendors.
• Challenges faced during technology implementation and vendor coordination.
• The significance of local support in technology solutions.
• The impact of technology on enhancing the guest experience in hotels.

 Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), Jon Siberry (SarovaHotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

David Ohanjanian details the changes on Google and the impact this is having on marketing spend and activity with the development of Performance Max and EU regulation updates with the Digital Marketing Act that affects the visibility of hotels while making big brands like Booking.com gatekeepers.

Nick Hurley provides booking trends from Travelzoo as leisure travellers look for the perfect deal and how hotels can leverage more bookings with half board offerings or experience led stays packages which led to one Cornish hotel improving bookings by 516% without compromising revenue. We also discuss the importance of the local market as the willingness to travel reduces to 2 - 3-hour drive in 2024. 

Vineeth Purushothaman shares the opportunities for effective distribution and why it’s important to look at cost of acquisition and team alignment.

 Key factors of consideration from hoteliers included:

• Changes in digital marketing strategies due to evolving technologies
• The impact of AI on search engines and hotel visibility
• Implications of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) on hotel marketing
• Booking trends among leisure travelers and the shift towards experience-led stays
• Importance of local markets and price sensitivity in consumer decision-making
• Effective distribution strategies for business and leisure bookings
• Defining the cost of acquistion
• The role of guest data in shaping marketing strategies
• Necessity for seamless booking processes and technology integration
• Strategies for incentivizing direct bookings to enhance revenue retention

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian (UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

We look at the impending changes in employment regulation that will impact the hospitality industry and the policies that matter for recruitment and retention. Esmat covers the six key pieces of legislature due to come in place under the new Government including Splitting Tips with staff, National Living Wage for 18-year-olds, Day one right to Unfair Dismissal, Change to Zero Hour contracts, right to request Flexible Working from day one, and protecting staff from Sexual Harassment. 

Camilla discusses mental health and the importance of having a framework in place and training to support employees, sharing some insightful data from its latest Take the Temperature Report.

Hotelier key considerations included: 

• The need for work-life balance and mental health training programs.
• Balance team cohesion from frontline onsite staff and back office flexible team
• Strategies for improving employee retention, such as flexible work schedules and mentorship programs.
• The necessity for robust HR frameworks to comply with new employment laws.
• The need for career ladder transparency in the sector to encourage and support new joiners.

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian (UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

If you click here, you’ll find the Hospitality Action Impact Report. And if you click here you’ll find the Taking the Temperature survey results.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Hotelier key considerations included:

• Skills management among team leadership and management
• Challenges in data utilisation for identifying lost opportunities in F&B
• Outsourcing F&B or embracing food delivery services (like JustEat/Deliveroo)
• Need for hotels to adapt offerings to changing consumer behaviours
• How to leverage revenue from EV Charging, Parking and Security/Deposit Lockers

Thanks to our facilitators; Catt Mcleod (Elegant Hotel Collection), David Ohandjanian(UPhotel Agency), Jon Siberry (Sarova Hotels).

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this live episode of Travel Market Life, recorded at the Rembrandt Hotel, we tackle the industry's biggest challenges and forecast what's next. Joined by industry experts Jane Pendlebury from HOSPA, Catt McLeod from the Elegant Hotel Collection, and JonnySiberry from Sarova Hotels, we dig into the forces shaping hotel performance right now.

From the impact of weather patterns to the power of data-driven decisions, we explore how the industry is adapting to an ever-evolving landscape.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

In this episode of Travel Market Life, we sit down with Robin Lawther, Vice President of Expedia TAAP, to uncover the fascinating shifts shaping the future of luxury travel. With nearly 2,900 high-end agencies under his belt, Robin gives us an insider’s perspective on how affluent travellers are redefining luxury in a post-COVID world.

From the rise of "revenge travel" to the growing desire for personalised, once-in-a-lifetime experiences, we explore why high-net-worth individuals are more eager than ever to invest in extraordinary journeys. Robin explains how luxury travellers are turning away from cookie-cutter packages in favour of bespoke itineraries that reflect their unique preferences, making the role of travel agents more critical than ever.

We also explore how luxury hotels are stepping up their game—offering everything from exclusive dining experiences to tailored resort credits that go beyond the typical five-star treatment. Robin shares how these partnerships between agents and hoteliers create seamless, unforgettable trips for clients who demand nothing less than perfection.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

I’m joined by industry leaders Jane Pendlebury, CEO of HOSPA; James Clarke, the newly appointed Chairman of MasterInn Holders; and Glenn Wallace, Event Manager at Montgomery Group for HIS. Together, we explore the show’s central theme, "Beyond the Hustle and Bustle," which emphasises not just guest experience but also the well-being of hotel staff and operators in today’s challenging landscape.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Ivana, driven by a passion for hospitality, shares how, together with her husband, she designed an exceptional guest experience without traditional training. Ivana tells me how the strategic use of technology allows them to manage the inn remotely, ensuring every guest enjoys a seamless stay—from smartphone self-check-ins to a digital guest book complete with local recommendations. 

The thoughtful amenities, including a cosy wood-burning hot tub and a self-service snack pantry filled with homemade treats, are only part of the puzzle. Ivana’s commitment to blending technology with a personal touch is what truly shines through. 

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Patrick Redder, Senior Key Account Partnership Manager at Awin, joins me in exploring affiliate marketing and its remarkable impact on cost reduction and bookings for H-Hotels. Patrick provides an in-depth look at how businesses can partner with various publishers to effectively promote their services, especially within the travel and hospitality sector. He underscores the critical role of selecting the right partners to reach specific audiences, transforming traditional marketing approaches.

Christoph Peppers, Director of E-Commerce at H-Hotels, complements Patrick’s insights by sharing how affiliate marketing has become a cornerstone of their e-commerce strategy, steering away from conventional channels like Google Ads. Christoph shares actionable advice for hoteliers and other industries eager to venture into affiliate marketing, emphasising the practicality of experimentation and proactive engagement to discover what works best.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Sean Wheeler, People and Culture Consultant at Sean Wheeler Consulting Limited believes a holistic approach, flexible working patterns, and the importance of understanding employees' personal lives all create a more enjoyable workplace. He stresses the critical role of internal and external support systems in maintaining mental health and overall well-being.

Jeremy Gibson, Marketing Director at Hospitality Action, shares the specific mental health challenges hospitality workers face today and the vital role of their Employee Assistance Programme. 

Craig Prentice, Patron of HA, shares how their Walk for Wellbeing event is a unique initiative to raise awareness and promote inclusivity within hospitality.

If you click here, you’ll find the Hospitality Action Impact Report. And if you click here you’ll find the Taking the Temperature survey results.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

We explore the empowerment and self-discovery driving solo female travellers and examine the rise of slow travel, characterised by longer stays and deeper immersion as an antidote to rushed checklist-style tourism.

For the full research from Cosette on Travel’s Great Divide – download now.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

Mary Sue created The Women Chefs & Restaurateurs in 1993, a resource for female food professionals that offers scholarships, mentoring and networking opportunities. She also co-founded Regarding Her, a non-profit organisation devoted to the advancement of female food and beverage entrepreneurs in Los Angeles and beyond. 

In this episode, we will learn more about her perspective to get more women and leadership in hospitality.

Travel Market Life is produced and managed by Urban Podcasts.

We explore: 

1.    Consumer behaviour informing marketing and creative strategies 

2.    Three trends influencing travel and hospitality marketing: Authenticity, Vibing and F&B

3.    How to resonate with guests

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• Why is solo travel so appealing
• Pelumi's travel from London to Lagos - the first black woman to drive this journey 
• The challenges as a solo traveller
• How  the industry can better cater for solo (women) travellers

 Connect with Pelumi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pelumi.nubi
Twitter: https://x.com/peluminubi_
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pelumi.nubi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pelumi-nubi
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@peluminubi_

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Following his presentation at IHTF 2024, we discuss 

1.    Why it's important to understand cultural settings

2.    Being a professional in hospitality 

3.    Growing and developing hospitality careers

4.    Making hospitality more appealing

5.    The difference in lifestyle hotels

At IHTF 2024, Henrique spoke on Localisation vs globalisation: Blending global branding and cultural identity 

• Establishing a worldwide presence while connecting with local audiences 

• Crafting memorable consumer experiences and showcasing a unique service 

• Customising brand messages and experiences and maintaining brand relevance in a changing landscape

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• Kerry Gallagher, MD, Silver Travel 
• Pelumi Nubi, content creator 

And - we cannot end the show without our Quick Quiz.

Booking.com faces new probe into claims it misled customers

The consumer watchdog Consumentenbond said Booking.com left out tourist taxes and supplements from its advertised prices and falsely claimed that hotel rooms were almost sold out.

Expedia lets influencers cash in

Expedia Group has introduced Travel Shops, a way for influencers and other content creators to earn commissions when travelers book their recommended hotels.

Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries

• Passengers traveling: An all-time high of about 15.9 million Americans traveled internationally in Q1 2024 while Japan welcomed over 3 million passenger arrivals in March 2024
• Consumer spending: As of March 2024, nine out of the last 10 record-setting spending days in the global cruise and airline industry were in 2024
• Leisure for longer: Tourists spend more time on vacation, by about one extra day relative to pre-COVID trends, particularly for lower-cost destinations
• Traveling for events: Memorable events are driving travel trends, whether it is for concerts or sporting events - look out for a rush of travelers to Munich for the opening game of the European Championship
• Top gainers: Japan, Ireland and Romania experienced the strongest growth in share of spending from tourists relative to last year

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole region considers local visitor charge

Under the current proposals, a charge of £2.40 would be added to a guest bill per room, per night, equating to roughly £10 over four nights.

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

1.         How marketing changed as a result of consumer trends and behaviour

2.         marketing channels key to success with consumers today

3.         How social media channels differ in performance, audience and engagement

4.         The role of content

5.         Use of guest technology and marketing systems 

This episode is part of our Media Partnership with IHTF in which Sofia is presenting on the topic: Attracting the new wave of guests 

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

In this episode we look at 

• European Commissions decision on hotel rate parity and booking.com
• Airbnb ditching experiences
• Interview - Richard Collie, Managing Associate for TLT LLP a consumer law expert at award-winning law firm with particular specialism in the leisure industry,: What is Drip-pricing? 
• Interview - Sam Weston, Marketing Director, 80 Days, Marketing trends: Authenticity, Vibing, F&B
• Then  the Quick Quiz.

EC designates Booking.com as a “gatekeeper
https://www.hospitalitynet.org/viewpoint/125000219.html?utm_source=HNtoday&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=2024-05-24

AIRBNB IS REMOVING 5,000 EXPERIENCES, CANCELLING FUTURE RESERVATIONS
https://www.phocuswire.com/airbnb-removing-dozens-experiences-canceling-future-reservations

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• The total number of cruises taken rose from 1.7 million in 2022.
• The Mediterranean remained the top choice for UK and Ireland cruise-goers, with 35% traveling there, followed by 29% to Northern Europe and 12% to the Caribbean among the top three destinations in 2023.
• Exploration destinations saw a significant 53% increase in passenger numbers.
• The average age of cruisers from the UK and Ireland dropped to 55.1 years in 2023, down from 56.1 in 2022.
• The average cruise duration extended to 10.1 days, up from 9.8 days the previous year.
• 28% of cruisers were part of larger multigenerational groups, spanning three or more age categories.
• Before setting sail, 65% of passengers enjoyed a pre-cruise stay at their departure location, while 52% extended their stay after their cruise.

For more details on the research visit one of the following resources.

https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/cruise-lines-international-association-industry-surges-as-uk-and-ireland-hit-new-high-with-2-3-million-voyages/?utm_source=iContact&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=travel-and-tour-world&utm_content=

https://www.seatrade-cruise.com/ports-destinations/clia-mmgy-travelzoo-present-research-uk-ireland-cruising

https://cruising.org/en-gb/news-and-research/press-room/2024/april/latest-data-shows-uk-and-ireland-cruise-industry-continues-to-engage-entice-and-innovate

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

Follow us on LinkedIn for more thought-provoking content: https://www.linkedin.com/company/travel-market-life/

Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• His love for Joy Division and Ian Curtis - and how Travel Market Life gave him an unexpected life opportunity
• New s - Rebyu using the power of AI
• Top 3 technologies on the horizon for the hospitality sector
• His frustrations with the hospitality technology market
• Where hotels need to double down their efforts

Plus, insight to his latest book that has just been published on Amazon

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• Latest insights and trends from Andy Harmer, Managing Director, CLIA UK & Ireland
• Opportunities and challenges in the sector
• Travel Agent’s perspective with Ellie Fowler, Director, The Travel Business

With our expert panel - 
Claire Steiner, UK Director, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership
Will Plummer, CEO, Trust My Group
James Clarke, General Manager, Travelzoo UK

Plus guest panelist:  Cressida Sergeant, CCO, traveltek

In the news – we discuss the gender pay gap

Gender pay gap ‘eliminated’ for most travel industry roles

FEATURE TOPIC UK - Cruise:

Latest research from The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows, travellers from the UK and Ireland embarked on 2.3 million cruise vacations, exceeding the previous record. According to data released on April 17, 2024:

·      The total number of cruises taken rose from 1.7 million in 2022.

·      The Mediterranean remained the top choice for UK and Ireland cruise-goers, with 35% traveling there, followed by 29% to Northern Europe and 12% to the Caribbean among the top three destinations in 2023.

·      Exploration destinations saw a significant 53% increase in passenger numbers.

·      The average age of cruisers from the UK and Ireland dropped to 55.1 years in 2023, down from 56.1 in 2022.

·      The average cruise duration extended to 10.1 days, up from 9.8 days the previous year.

·      28% of cruisers were part of larger multigenerational groups, spanning three or more age categories.

·      Before setting sail, 65% of passengers enjoyed a pre-cruise stay at their departure location, while 52% extended their stay after their cruise.

·      Regarding attitudes and plans, a survey of 4,500 global holidaymakers showed:

o   82% of cruise passengers expressed their intent to take another sea vacation, marking a 3% increase from 2019.

o   71% of individuals who had never cruised before stated they would consider it in the future.

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 With 34 properties worldwide, we discuss:

•          AI and automation deployment at CitizenM 

•          How they approach new tech to be an innovative hospitality brand

•          The future of in-room tech and ensuring efficient hotel operations?

•          The hotel tech stack and role of headless systems

•          Industry frustrations and selecting a new tech partner

•          Bringing experience to hospitality industry

This episode is part of the Media Partnership with IHTF, in which Bojan presents on: Charting new territories: A fresh look at future hotel innovation and advancements.

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• F&B profitability
• Premier Inn Ad ban
• AI in hospitality
• RPA technology
• Approaching the tech stack
• Future of hospitality technology 

We’re joined by our regular panellist Jon Sibery, Group Revenue Manager, Sarova as he shares the challenges of F&B profitability and his time at IHTF.

Tess Matisson, President and CEO of Zaplox shares er advice on approaching the tech stack and selecting the right systems

Simone Puorto, industry futurist, author and consultant gives us the future of technology for hotels.  For Simone's book, visit Amazon

How to make hotel F&B profitable

HotStats data shows that while room revenue per available room are up by 17 percent in Europe compared to January 2020, F&B is at just 5 percent. UK hotels saw a 2.8 percentage point drop in gross operating profit margin between 2019 and 2023, and of that, 3.1 percentage points came directly from food and beverage profitability as margins fell from 30 percent to 22 percent.

Premier Inn ad banned for promoting rooms 'from only £35 a night' by advertising authority 

The Advertising Standards Authority said it was misleading to promote £35 rooms when only a small percentage of nights had such a low rate available. In the future, a higher percentage of rooms must be available at the advertised rate.

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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We look at

• What is drip-pricing
• Examples of how it is used in travel and hospitality industry
• Why drip-pricing is an issue for consumers and businesses
• What the UK government is planning to do
• The risks for businesses if this policy comes in

For further reading check out:
The UK government has made it clear that it wants to stamp out the most harmful forms of ‘drip pricing’. On 24 January 2024 it announced that it would bring forward new legislation banning hidden fees. The policy justification behind the new rules are as follows:

• Drip pricing undermines price transparency and make it difficult for consumers to make informed purchasing decisions based on the price of a product or service and
• It also limits price competition because businesses often compete on misleading headline prices rather than the price which consumers must pay in practice.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68075851

https://news.sky.com/story/drip-pricing-three-psychological-reasons-we-fall-for-the-technique-and-how-to-resist-the-it-12959042

https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/25491349/hotel-costs-drip-pricing-extra-fees-charges-holiday/#:~:text=HOTELS%20have%20been%20accused%20of,the%20overall%20price%20actually%20is.

https://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2024/01/25/Hospitality-sector-welcomes-legislation-to-ban-drip-pricing

https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/government-confirms-plans-to-tackle-drip-pricing

Note that DBT also commissioned a detailed report estimating the prevalence and impact of online drip pricing in certain sectors – including hospitality and travel.

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 In this episode we’ll tackle:

• Latest industry developments: Spain’s traveller numbers, Dynamic pricing and loyalty schemes
• A look into Travel Payments and how this is adapting for consumers and businesses, we have a special mini-panel with 
  • Maggie Bazemore, Knowledge Management Director | Mr & Mrs Smith 
  • James Lemon, GTM | Global Industry Lead - Travel & Leisure - Stripe
  • Peter Gerstle, Business Solutions Director, Head of Travel Loyalty, Collinson
  
  

REFERENCES
Spain to tackle decrease in UK visitor durations
Dynamic (Surge/Demand) Pricing Is Coming for Everything in Travel
AVIS BUDGET GROUP REVAMPS ITS LOYALTY INITIATIVE
Expedia Group launches single loyalty programme but Hotels.com customers will earn less 

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 In this episode, he explains the moment he realised that hospitality is more than rooms and services and the impact this has had on his perception of the role of technology and strategic development. He shares his progression from IT to hospitality IT and how he approach leadership and recruitment.  

Through our conversation we learn;

• What is misunderstood about technology in the accommodation market
• How the mindset and culture in hospitality needs to change/adapt
• His area of focus and investment in tech
• Managing to improve IT resources and find the best talent
• What makes a good tech vendor partner

Mustafa will be speaking at the IHTF 2024 which Travel Market Life is a media partner 

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Florian Hepp started his career at Marriott before developing his career at Westin Hotels, and Sofitel Luxury Hotels & Resorts, back at Marriott he utilised his sales and marketing training in HR and employer branding.

Florian will speak about Attracting talent, managing staff shortages and the role of technology at 21st IHTF in Barcelona, but here we look at the operational aspect:

• Roles most challenging to recruit for
• Sharing best practice between teams
• What people expect from work and employers today
• Why showcasing company culture and values is important
• What sort of stories really resonate with people?

For the survey Florian refers to - please see this resource
https://www.presseportal.de/pm/56177/5429436

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1. Jonny Siberry, Group Revenue Manager, Sarova Hotel Group
2. Daniel Simmons, CCO, HotelREZ Hotels & Resorts
3. Thibault Catala, CEO, Catala Consulting, 

We look at pressing issues in the industry, as well as the landscape in front of us - getting insider knowledge from our expert panel and guest interviewees.  This is a pretty packed episode full of additional contributors, we’ll be tackling

• Latest developments and news of the sector
• Changes in Service and delivery of guest expectations, with Harpreet Singh Saluja, AG Hotels
• IHTF, of which Travel Market Life are media partners where we’ll hear from some of the sponsors including Carlos Calvo of Proposales, Carsten Wernet of SIHOT and Philip von Ditfurth from Apaleo

We end with the quick quiz - who will win?

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In our discussion, we look at 

• How the market is evolving and Clink is devleoping its brand
• Trends  in the hostel market
• Diogo's career – how has it changed and adapted over the years
• Commercial performance – how to align revenue management with business goals 
• Use of technology to transform the business

Diogo will be speaking at the IHTF 2024 on the topic - Technology, tactics and profit optimisation: Boosting revenue management strategies

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• Some industry news including Late’s pricing, Agent debt and industry associations
• Spring Budget UK - The UK Government announced a range of measures to keep Britain financially fluid…we’ll analyse what they mean to the industry
• In our monthly feature - we’re joined by Joss Croft, CEO of UKInbound, to look at trends of the international traveller market to the UK
• Plus - we cannot end the show without our Quick Quiz 

Featuring Will Plummer (CEO, Trust My Group), Claire Steiner (UK Director, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership), and James Clarke (General Manager, Travelzoo UK),

REFERENCES:

Trade predicts strong lates market but warns keen pricing ‘will be crucial’

Nearly half of Advantage agents still paying off Covid debts

NEW GLOBAL TRAVEL TECH ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES

FEATURE TOPIC UK - Spring budget - election year 

Budget 2024: key points for hospitality at a glance

Chancellor cuts NI by a further 2p as part of Spring Budget

TOURISM ALLIANCE SPRING BUDGET 2024 REACTION

'MISSED OPPORTUNITY': TRAVEL LUKEWARM ON CHANCELLOR'S SPRING BUDGET

• Air- passenger Duty:  Air passenger duty on business-class travel is set to rise
• Holiday lets: Completely getting rid of the Furnished Holiday Let scheme from April 2025,. This now means that mortgage interest will NOT be deductible 
• Abolishing Multiple Dwelling Relief from June 
• Freezing alcohol duty: The freeze on alcohol duty, which had been due to end in August, will continue until February 2025. 

Employee and general business

• 2% cut in National Insurance This means employees were paying 12% in December, 10% January to March and 8% from April.
• The self-employed will pay 6% from April.
• Increasing the VAT threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 from April
• Increasing the threshold that Child Benefit 

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Karen also shares:

• 2024 Market outlook
• Challenges for this year
• Changes in booking patterns and event business
• How the industry can be a more attractive place to work

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• Thibault Catala, CEO, Catala Consulting, 
• Jonny Sibery, Group Revenue Manager, Sarova
• Daniel Simmons, CCO, HotelREZ
• Plus an interview with Jeremy Daudin, Head of Sales and Marketing at Zetter Hotels looking at their corporate business. 

We look at pressing issues in the industry, as well as the landscape in front of us tackling

• Latest developments and news of the sector
• Discuss business and corporate guests
• Travel trends with the Swiftie Tour Tourism effect
• then i’ll put my panellists through their paces as we dive into the Quick Quiz.
  
  
  

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• Trends and market behaviours in Business Travel
• Key challenges in Business Travel for Corporates and Suppliers
• Why late payments is a key campaign
• Partnership with the Tourism Alliance
• Role of technology in business travel
• Upcoming events

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• Industry news of the last month and consumer spending change
• What’s RyanAir’s change of strategy?
• Our feature discussion is on Business Travel and we’ll hear from Clive Wratten, Chief Exec of Business Travel Association
• Industry developments and consumer trends talking about shoulder seasons and the best snaps
• Finishing with the quick quiz. Will won last month, has he brought his A-Game this month?

Featuring Will Plummer (CEO, Trust My Group), Claire Steiner (UK Director, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership), and James Clarke (General Manager, Travelzoo UK), 

Industry News

Holidays the ‘exception’ as consumers cut leisure spend 

• Deloitte Consumer Tracker - consumers intend to spend less across nine out of 11 leisure categories in Q1 2024, with an exception being the long and short holiday categories.
• The majority of consumers (57%) intending to travel abroad on a holiday are likely to book all-inclusive trips, 
• 60% of consumers are expecting to take a domestic holiday in 2024.

HOLIDAY EXTRAS LAUNCHES NEW AI TOOL AFTER IT REVEALS 55% OF TRAVELLERS DON'T READ INSURANCE DOCUMENTATION PROPERLY

• AI technology that allows customers and travel agents to easily read through the terms and conditions of their insurance documents.
• Over half (55%) said they did not read it properly, with a quarter (24%) admitting to only skimming them, while 28% only refer to a brief online summary and 3% not reading it whatsoever.  
• Despite the increase in extreme weather and events caused by climate change last summer, three quarters (74%) assumed their insurance would automatically cover impact on their travel caused by natural disasters, while 68% assumed it covered disruption from strike activity. 

Millennial men in the U.K. are helping drive a trend of falling working hours, and it might be starting to hurt the country’s economy 

• Typical hours men worked dropped from 36.3 hours in 2019 to 32.5 hours in 2020. Working hours for 2022 were 35.3 hours, the most recent year available, the Office for National Statistics said
• Millennial men working shorter work hours have contributed to labour shortages equivalent to 310,000 fewer people in employment, official figures show.
• This was reflected among women in the same age group, who saw a 0.02 hours per week rise.

RYANAIR NEWS

RYANAIR AGREE NEW

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In our review shows, we look at pressing issues in the industry, as well as the landscape in front of us - getting insider knowledge from our expert panel. 

In this episode, I’ll take a moment to introduce our panellists and what makes them tick, as we tackle What lies ahead in 2024, yes - we’ll be looking at 

• 2024 on the books, what’s the data telling us
• Industry challenges
• Consumer travel trends
• And finally, i’ll put my panellists through their paces as we dive into the Quick Quiz. Head to Head - Who will be the true industry expert in this months’ edition?

DISCLAIMER - All opinions are their own.

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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• Data and its implications
• Cybersecurity in digitalisation
• AI and ethics 
• 10 rules for IT investment
• Challenges of tech buying

Some quick snippets and outtakes from our guests for this year. 

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• How AI alleviates staff pressures 
• Gaining confidence in AI
• Looking to new technology  and working with your team
• Future changes to hospitality 

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As part of our Hoteliers' Voice Season 3, Angeliki explains;

• How  the industry can incorporate sustainable approaches to design and development
• How Lamington Group implements a sustainable culture
• The wider business case for sustainability
• Engaging guests in the programm
• Working in collaboration and the supply chain
• The role of AI

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The pair give a frank insight to how to assess true performance and why fixed budgets needs to be abandoned in favour for performance-based. We talk through; 

• How and where Google is delivering for hotels
• Considering investment and budget in digital marketing
• The essential data and tracking for effective measurement of ROI
• And the role of brand campaigns 

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In conversation we look at 

• Changes in approach to direct bookings
• Key to direct booking and marketing for the guest journey
• Evolving roles of agencies and consultants
• And how the website function has adapted to consumer expectation.

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• How the publication is made up and its key audience
• The subjects and topics that captures readers attention
• How to get featured editorially and advertorially
• The developments in the sector
• And its unique awards ceremony

For more visit Hotel Designs

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In this special Travel Market Life podcast, recorded live at the Independent Hotel Show London, an expert panel discuss a range of topics to help hoteliers shape their tech stack and ensure its fit for purpose today, tomorrow and beyond, including: 

• How suppliers need to support boutique hotels after installation
• What hoteliers want from their technology providers
• The value automation can bring to independent hotels

Host Ryan Haynes is joined by:  

• Vibhu Gaind, CIO - RBH Hospitality Management
• Nick Pilbeam, Commercial Director - Point A
• Nadine Böttcher, Head of Product Innovation - OTA Insight
• Liutauras Vaitkevicius (LV), Managing Director - Zetter Hotels
• Harry Fielder, CEO - Umi Digital

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Recorded live at the Independent Hotel Show London on 17 October 2023, Travel Market Life’s host Ryan Haynes is joined by:  

• Tej Walia, Managing Director - Foxhills Club & Resort
• Rita Varga, CEO - RaizUp
• Phil Street, Director - Momentum Recruitment

In an industry that offers a multitude of career opportunities, the panel discusses how to diversify the workforce, recruit digitally savvy talent, improve transparency, and make staff feel valued - and it’s not just financial incentives that work! 

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This special episode of Travel Market Life was recorded live at the Social Business Space at the Independent Hotel Show London.

Joining host Ryan Haynes to discuss all things revenue and ecommerce are panellists: 

• Teresa Kingston, Commercial Director - Rockliffe Hall
• Susanne Williams, Commercial Director (consultancy) - Journey Hospitality 
• David Ohandjanian, Founder - Uphotel
• Daniel Simmons, CCO - HotelREZ
• Ally Northfield, MD - Revenue by Design

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• How the publication is made up and its key audience
• The subjects and topics that captures readers attention
• How to get featured editorially and advertorially
• The developments in the sector

For more visit The Hotel Magazine

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• The Bleisure market
• Regulatory challenges
• Cybersecurity
• Fintech 

Read Vineeth's article - 18 Trends to Watch in Hotel Distribution https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/18-trends-watch-hotel-distribution-2023-beyond-vineeth-purushothaman/?trackingId=

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

We cover the complexities in technology at hotels including;

• the journey to implementation and adoption
• struggles to maximise the investment
• security risks to consider
• staff usability

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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• How the publication is made up and its key audience
• The subjects and topics that captures readers attention
• How to get featured editorially and advertorially
• The industry awards
• The developments in the sector

For more visit Boutique Hotelier

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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On the Monday evening, The Independent Hotel Show Awards, in partnership with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, now in their 11th year, celebrate pioneering hospitality businesses and hotel professionals in the UK & Ireland. 

Tuesday:, Travel Market Life hosts the Social Business Space with three discursive sessions; Each session will kick off with a 15-minute discussion (live podcast recording) with expert guests to explore the key issues related to the topic. It will then open to the floor to allow attendees to delve deeper into subject matter with facilitated networking, between Ryan, podcast guests and audience, all mingling and enjoying refreshments, continuing the podcast topic of discussion.

For more https://www.independenthotelshow.co.uk/

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

During our conversation we cover:

1. The role of technology in operations
2. How to get the most out of staff and retain talent
3. Why certain systems are mandated 
4. Quick wins for the team and for guests
5. Longer term tech investments 

BWH Hotels is a leading, global hospitality enterprise comprised of three hotel companies, including WorldHotels™, Best Western® Hotels & Resorts and SureStay® Hotels with around 4,300 hotels territories worldwide and 19 brands across every chain segment, from economy to luxury. https://www.bwh.com/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

As one of the presenters at ACE Hotel Tech Summit, September 2023,  he will be covering Clever ways to encourage more direct bookings. In our conversation we look at:
1.    What is the HMA? Why  hotels should be a member

2.    Trends in direct bookings

3.    The basic hotels should be doing for direct bookings and marketing today

4.    Capitalising on direct bookings

5.    Approaching social media and  reviews

Harry will join Travel Market Life at The Independent Hotel Show Tuesday 17th October, 3 - 4pm at the Social Business Space for the discussion: Tech stack for the future - Make the most of your tech investment by discovering the right systems to help your hotel. This session will look at how to build a business case for senior management, getting staff buy-in, and breaking down silos to help the tech you choose work for your business - today and tomorrow

The Hotel Marketing Association (HMA) is the only dedicated body for hotel marketers in the UK. Providing support and inspiration for hotel marketers and the wider industry seeking guidance and insight for business and career development. 

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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1. Appoint a project manager: What are the key criteria, experience and skills to consider? 
2. Define the full scope of the project in painstaking detail: What are the key aspects that really need to be expanded on?
3. Compare offers: How many suppliers should you engage and compare?
4. Consider separating between hardware/software and services: Why is this so important today?
5. Agree on a fixed price order: What does this mean?
6. Involve vendors of interfaced systems in time: Why this is so important?
7. Request a detailed work schedule: What it should contain?
8. Check what your team can do: How to  manage expectations and deliverables of internal members?
9. Be present: How to be the best leader
10. Adjust your staff schedules: Why this is important?

And finally, the benefits of treating your consultants well.

Frank Wagner is presenting at the ACE Hotel Tech Summit 2023 of which Ryan Haynes is host and Travel Market Life a media partner

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• How the publication is made up and its key audience
• The subjects and topics that captures readers attention
• How to get featured editorially and advertorially
• The developments in the sector

For more visit Boutique Hotel News

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

1. Challenges of being a true independently run hotel today
2. How  investors and owners optimise bookings and revenue
3. Why management and operations is important for the guest experience
4. Role of technology for independent hotels  and how to  define the right tech stack
5. Gaining greater purchasing power

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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1. How to approach social media and the effective channels
2. Impact on bookings and deploying successful campaigns
3. Role of leadership in cultural change

This episode is in Media Partnership with ACE Hotel Technology Summit 2023

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Queensway is a family business founded in 1973 creating meaningful and memorable hospitality experiences. Its portfolio includes hotels, coffee houses, restaurants, residential property and a private member’s club.  Point A Hotels offers cosy, comfortable, budget friendly rooms in the heart of the big city. 

With seven hotels in London, one in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dublin, Point A focuses on providing collaborative, fun and exciting places to work.

In conversation, we look at:

1.    Tech for leading edge hoteliers

2.    Learnings from airlines sales models

3.    PMS for smart operations

4.    Automation and data

5.     Pricing for profitability 

 
PMS - Guestline, RMS - IDeaS, Distribution - HotelRez

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The Foxhills Collection is an independently-owned collection of golf clubs and resorts in Surrey delivered by a talented team of 300 led by the Hayton family. It’s 400-acre Surrey estate - Foxhills is award winning hotel and country club with three golf courses, spa, family friendly facilities, five swimming pools and three restaurants, while Farleigh is a golf club with a 27-hole courses. 

In conversation with Tej we look at;                                                                                                     

1.     Assess and identify where you need to make the investments

2.     Role of digital solutions 

3.     Recruitment and retention

4.     PR to build business

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

 In conversation, we cover:

• Changing roles in marketing and ecommerce
• Building an ecommerce culture
• Hotel ecommerce tech
• Identifying and selecting the right systems

Key systems and partners include; GoogleAds, Criteo, Affiliates, vouchers, chatbot, metasearch, retargeting 

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Outrigger property blends seamlessly with its unique locale, offering a compelling guest experience with distinctive sense of place. With 38 properties and over 7,000 rooms in operation and/or development, Outrigger is a multi-branded portfolio while also managing properties part of top international hotel brands.

In conversation with James, we discuss:

1.    Importance of a data culture

2.    Impact on the bottom line

3.    Systems for data

4.    Culture change and get buyin

5.    Identify the right partners

Outrigger uses a number of different solutions including  Silverware, Opera PMS, RMS, Datavision, Amadeus Demand360, Duetto, Revinate, ForwardKeys, PowerBI

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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1.  Delivering better experiences and assisting hotel operations
2. Systems for hoteliers to harness guest data
3. The commercial impact
4. Staff engagement
5. What’s next for guest data

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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• Despite over 7 in 10 (70.9%) claiming they have an integrated revenue strategy - also known as Total Revenue which incorporates all hotel departments - RevPAR (30.6%), Occupancy (22.2%) and ADR (17.6%) remain the dominant metrics for measuring business success. 
• Profit, a better reflection of a hotel’s overall business performance, is used by 16.7% of respondents, with TRevPAR used by just 4.6%. 
• For branded hotels, RevPAR is preferred by 42.4% of hoteliers while occupancy (28.3% in rural, coastal and beach hotels) is the prominent metric for independent regional hotels.
  
  

We are joined by Michael McCartan, IDeaS, Area VP EMEA, Raimund Notz, Director, Hotel Revenue Optimization - Central & Eastern Europe, Preferred Hotels and Dario Artiola, Senior Director Revenue Performance, Radisson Hotels Group to discuss:

• What is an integrated revenue management strategy
• Role of F&B and ancillaries in profit optimisation
• How to have the right strategy
• Focusing the team on the right approach
• Using technology

For the full survey insights visit:

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Standing at over 140 years old, Hotel Schweizerhof has 98 rooms and suites with modern conveniences and stylish luxurious amenities, where guests are treated to the feel of Old World elegance with the added convenience of modern accommodations and courteous, friendly and attentive service. Hotel Schweizerhof lives and breathes hospitality ensuring that the needs of guests are always in the forefront of their thinking.

 
 In conversation with Andreas we cover

1.    Hotel tech stack for a contemporary luxury hotel

2.    In-room entertainment and digital technologies

3.    Website UX and why it is so important

4.    Operations management and streamlining processes 

5.    Costs and energy efficiencies

Key systems covered include; Innspire, Seamans, HotelKit, MFiles

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• Addressing challenges in hotel staff recruitment
• Being flexible around staffing and skills requirements
• Meeting demand and guest expectations
• How recruitment is changing
• The 3 things that makes hospitality attractive to work in
• Making a more attractive hospitality in which to work

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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In this discussion we explore staffing the FIFA World Cup, as well as:

1. Assessing the human resources required to create a staffing strategy 
2. Where is hospitality struggling to recruit staff
3. Role of technology
4. Recruitment and onboarding processes
5. Benefits, payment and training 

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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• Where are hotels struggling to recruit staff
• How is recruitment changing?
• The recruitment channels the industry needs to lean on
• The type of benefits, payment or support are employees looking for

Discover why poaching talent is better than advertising

 https://www.ericrogersglobal.com/

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• Regional hotels are falling behind city centre properties in how they measure success, with an emphasis on occupancy (28.3% in rural, coastal and beach hotels) highlighting their priority of ‘heads in beds’ - a strategy which increases both operational and marketing costs. 
• City hotels remain focused on maximising revenue per room, with 45.5% using RevPAR as their dominant performance metric. 
• There is a gulf in the use of technology to enable commercial success, with less than half (45.3%) of regional hotels using a revenue management system (RMS) compared to over three quarters (77.2%) of city hotels. 
• Properties using an RMS were reported to have a 14.15% ADR increase in 2022/23, compared to just an 11.69% ADR increase for those without. 

We are joined by Michael McCartan, Area Vice President, EMEA, IDeaS, Geza Bocsak, Head of Revenue Management and Sales, Harbour Hotels and Inna Nekrassova, Head of Revenue, The Lanesborough to discuss:

• Why independent hotels need to rethink revenue management and strategy models
• How to use team skills and technology effectively
• Where to invest to maximise return
• Ai/ automation

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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In our conversation,  Monica explains how Columbia Beach Resort provides a unique experience with technology, we explore:

1. Why is guest facing tech and digital systems are so important 
2. The technologies being deployed
3. The impact on hotel performance 
4. Engaging staff
5. Identifying the right partners

Systems Columbia Beach Resort uses includes Innspire, Hotel Mobile and Oracle's Micros Fidelio, 

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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• what defines an eco hotel
• the value of having sustainability credentials
• changing traveller behaviours and expectations of eco-sensitive travellers 
• how to commit to sustainability 
• implementing the strategy engaging  staff
• starting off with sustainability

Learn more about Guldsmeden Hotels sustainability programme

Discover eco hotels
 
 

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In this episode we learn the approach taken to identify the right audience, the type of marketing strategy to harness this opportunity and the data that fed the campaign creative and channels to market.  

We hear how Chris and the Best Western team looked for the opportunity to fight back for the brand. We discuss

-       Why education is important

-       The role of brand marketing

-       Identifying channels to reach the guest profile

-       Using guest data to determine the approach

-       The systems that underpin the campaign

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Drawing from Sonal’s book – The Wellness Asset – we explore the wellness market, the value for hotels and hear from the guests experience of working with hotels worldwide. In this Hotel Partner episode we get a framework for commercialising wellness and the technology that underpins the delivery.

We cover:

1.     Value of spa and wellness to the leisure and hospitality market 

2.     What it takes to be a spa or wellness hotel

3.     Sonal’s ESSENCE model

4.     Role of technology 

5.     Advice to engaging staff

Here is the link to get the book: https://www.spa-balance.com/the-wellness-asset-book/ 

Discover how to incorporate spa and wellness into your booking funnel. Visit onejourney. 

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Achieving up to $25,000 per month from in-room F&B in its Las Vegas property, Virgin Hotels has invested in in-room tech across its portfolio. In this Hotel Partner episode, we hear about the problem and solution developed by Innspire and the impact it’s had on Virgin Hotels. 

We cover:

·      Advancements of in-room smart tech 

·      Better guest experiences and hotel operations

·      The ROI from In-room tech

·      Engaging staff with in-room tech

Get the insights on how to consider your smart tech plans and the advice to make is a successful reality. 

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With an abundance of hotel collections,  curated by those passionate by a certain theme whether it’s luxury, independent, eco, spa and wellness or design - properties need to ensure they represent the soft umbrella brands that deliver them bookings and business. 

We discuss

• The trends in hotel collections
• The development of the design hotel category
• The importance of tech
• And digitalising experiences. 

Design Hotels represents and markets a curated selection of 300+ independent hotels in over 60 countries worldwide. Since 1993, Every single hotel carefully selected based on a range of criteria to guarantee guests a unique hotel experience. More than a collection of hotels, the company is a collection of stories.

designhotels.com

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We look at the value of analytics, the approach dependent on accommodation or category type and the impact on revenue. In our discussion, learn

• What is hotel analytics and the value it is providing hotels? 
• Why it is critical today
• How  independent and small hotel properties approach analytics compared to large hotel resorts and hotel groups
• How  hotel analytic solutions improve the efficiency of the revenue management function

Altexsoft is an travel and hospitality technology consulting company working with travel agencies, travel management solutions, and hospitality businesses

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1.     How AI is being deployed effectively in travel and hospitality

2.     The quick wins for companies exploring AI and the benefits delivered

3.     ChatGPT and the use cases for generative AI in the industry

4.     Ethical frameworks and sustainable data practices

 
Emma and Nick spoke at the International Hotel Technology Forum in March 2023 in Vienna. 

A letter co-signed by Elon Musk and thousands of others demanding a pause in artificial intelligence research has created a firestorm - calling for a six-month hiatus on the development of systems. The focus is on the deployment of large language models. These models, which can predict the next word in a sequence given the preceding words, are the backbone of many conversational AI systems. However, the experts argue that these models are more powerful than ever before, and they simply don't understand how they work. This has led to concerns that the models are creating their own internal goals and behaviour patterns, which (they) are unable to understand or control and may exceed human capabilities

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

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• The approach to the guest journey
• Developing the criteria
• Key criteria when identifying the system and functionality
• The value from IHTF
• What we will learn from Roger at the event

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• Tactics Best Western introduced to its direct strategy?
• Efforts to drive direct bookings
• Building a new strategy - and getting buy-in from the board
• Working with  teams to break down the silos

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1. Maximising revenue across the customer journey - why is it so important today
2. Understanding revenue and revenue performance -  the technologies in the hotel tech stack to help  address the customer journey
3. Tech to integrate to maximise revenue
4. Selecting revenue technologies

We are also joined by Calum McIndoe, Director of Sales UK & Ireland for Infor Hospitality Solutions - discussing the value of IHTF and key criteria to consider as part of tech buying.

Company Profile Real Hotels Group is the result of the merger, in 2020, of two national hotel groups, the holders of the REAL brand and NEWPALM, IHG’s Holiday Inn Express operator, becoming the biggest merger of the Portuguese hotel industry in the last decade, with 16 hotels, 2,100 rooms, spread over Lisbon, Porto and Algarve. 

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We speak to Joost Doevendans, Head of Sales, Proposales to learn how RFPs are evolving and how much of the MICE market has returned:

1.     What are the key trends in MICE business?

2.     How can hotels be adapting their offering or utilise their space better? 

3.     How do you digitalise the RFP process?

4.     How must hoteliers adapt their thinking and processes?

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• What is RPA and what value does it deliver
• How is Louvre using and exploring the use of RPA?
• The wider significance for hoteliers and hospitality sector
• The opportunity for immediate and effective deployment
• The impact on the business

RobosizeME is a process automation specialist for the hospitality industry, helping companies automate operational processes. Its virtual robots help hospitality businesses automate processes and optimize human effort in all areas of hotel operations, including reservations, front of house, back office, revenue management etc

Louvre Hotels Group has a portfolio that includes more than 1,600 hotels in 54 countries. With historic brands (Royal Tulip, Golden Tulip, Campanile, and Première Classe), 

Discover more and see more of our content at Travel Market Life 

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

31 January 2023. Book now

Three events | One community. Where commercial leaders, digital marketing and revenue management specialists come together

Sponsored by IDeaS RMS and Oaky.

For more https://www.globalrevenueforum.com/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

During the discussion we look at 

1.     The status quo for loyalty programmes - and what's wrong with this approach

2.     How companies should follow their customers and collect data to drive new revenue opportunities

3.     Leveraging  data to improve loyalty experiences

4.     Role of revenue management and loyalty - How  they work together

5.     The technology enabling leading businesses to do this

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Listen to more episodes of the hospitality industry podcast Travel Market Life and subscribe for the latest news at http://travelmarket.life/

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Do you have a story to share about technology, digitalisation or culture changes within the hospitality and travel industry? We'd love to hear what your company is doing and the impact it is having. Please contact us through http://travelmarket.life/

• Market trends and why this is a unique time
• Factors that may make or break hotels
• Why the hotel's identity is so important
• How hotels can take the right approach to authenticity

Colliers (NASDAQ, TSX: CIGI) is a leading diversified professional services and investment management company. With operations in 63 countries, our 17,000 enterprising professionals work collaboratively to provide expert real estate and investment advice to clients. http://colliers.com/

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