Hoteliers’ Voice

In a world drowning in ads, why do we still rush to book with the brands that feel like old friends and how can travel marketers build that magic? 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...

Imagine your inbox as a frantic hotel lobby at checkout - hundreds of group booking enquiries piling up, phones ringing off the hook, and teams scrambling just to keep the doors open. 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 ba...

Gone are the days when luxury simply meant marble floors and gold taps - today it’s measured in moments that feel utterly, unmistakably yours. 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, Ca...

The problem isn’t the tech. It’s the gaps where it doesn’t talk to each other. 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 inf...

Two students, one snowy mountain and a worldwide business. 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...

In this episode of Travel Market Life, I sit down with Joji Esho, Hotel Manager at the historic 218-room Queen of Chester, located steps from the train station, and Prem Jethwa-Odedra, CEO of Biteluxe, a leader in hospitality tech solutions. We dive into how WhatsApp integrations are transforming hotel operations by driving revenue, enhancing guest engagement, and streamlining processes, all while...

What happens when marketing and revenue stop working in silos and start sharing the same language? 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 t...

In this special episode of Hotelier's Voice, we unpack mental health challenges in hospitality with Mike Mesoroff, a 30-year industry veteran turned personal freedom coach and founder of Self-Hospitality Collective, and his client Otto Abad. 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 bou...

What if rail travel could steal the spotlight from flying for your next adventure? 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...

What if the front of house held the secret to unforgettable guest experiences? 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 th...

What if small gestures could turn a hotel into a home away from home? In this mini-series with Red Carnation Hotels I am joined by Arietta, hotel manager at The Montague on the Gardens in the Red Carnation Hotels collection. With 22 years at the property and over a year in her current role, Arietta shares her journey from the basics to leadership, highlighting how passion for people drives excepti...

Want to make your hotel’s social media pop in a noisy digital space? Ryan speaks with Chloe Parry, Content Marketing Executive at Carden Park Hotel, a gorgeous Cheshire resort with a stunning spa and golf courses. Following up from the National Hotel Marketing Conference 2025, Chloe shares how she turned their socials from bland posts to vibrant, video-heavy content that pulls in bookings. We dive...

What if adventure could supercharge your travel business? 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 traveller...

What if one event could supercharge your hotel's future? In this episode of Travel Market Life, we gear up for the Independent Hotel Show on 6-7th of October at Olympia London, chatting with Glenn Wallace, the seasoned event manager behind its 13th edition. Glenn shares reflections on last year's success, plans for enhanced networking, and hot topics like AI, sustainability, and tech innovations,...

How does a global hotel brand stay true to its heart on social media? In this episode, I sit down with Molly Peel, Red Carnation Hotels’ social media strategist and 2025 UK Hotel Marketing Awards Rising Star, who infuses warmth and authenticity into 18 properties worldwide. From wildlife adventures at Kedra Safari Lodge to cozy themed high teas, Molly weaves each hotel’s unique story into Instagra...

How can a hotel chain embed sustainability globally? I sit down with Dr Renee Nicole Wagner, Corporate Director of ESG and Quality Management at Orascom Hotels Management, to discuss how her passion for ESG is transforming over 30 properties across Switzerland, Montenegro, Oman, and Egypt. From her past as a professional athlete to leading a new ESG role since 2024, Renee shares how she built a un...

What makes a hotel website more than just a digital brochure? In this episode of Travel Market Life, I sit down with Lucy Chase-Gardener from The Grove and David Ohandjanian of Up Hotel Agency. Lucy shares how The Grove’s website revamp blended stunning visuals with smooth user experience to boost direct bookings and reflect their refreshed brand, diving into the process of crafting a clear RFP al...

Could a single app transform luxury living into something effortlessly elegant? In this episode of Travel Market Life, recorded at the International Hotel Tech Forum, I sit down with Luisa Aires, Director of Residences at W Algarve—a breathtaking resort where hotel sophistication blends beautifully with private residences along Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast. From managing 83 exclusive apartments...

At this year’s National Hotel Marketing Conference, industry leaders shared bold insights and strategies for 2025. In this episode, we explore how guest personas elevate experiences and integrated booking systems drive revenue. AI transforms personalisation and search, fuelling authentic marketing. A clear theme from this year’s conference is that hotels can inspire through storytelling and trust....

Can AI transform hospitality without losing its heart? In this episode of Travel Market Life, recorded live at the IHTF in Portugal, I sit down with André Doria, digital pioneer at PortoBay Hotels & Resorts, a 16-property Madeira treasure known for its soulful guest connections. Hailing from the stunning Madeira Islands, André reveals how his team crafted a custom AI to empower staff—predictin...

What’s fuelling travel and hospitality in 2025? I’m joined by experts Claire Steiner, Will Plummer, and James Clark to unpack insights from our last six episodes. From Instagram-driven bookings to new Labour laws, tech mergers, financial risks, and smart travel hacks, we’re diving into what’s shaping the industry. Giants like EasyJet and Jet2 are thriving as smaller operators falter amid mergers....

Gregor Ritchie, Director of Optimum Hotel Management and CEO of Luxury Leisure Group, has poured 18 years into keeping country house hotels alive with heart and soul. From his early days as a porter in a grand Stratford hotel, he’s fought to preserve these historic gems in a tough, ever-changing hospitality world, facing challenges like construction disputes for spa projects, pleasing high-net-wor...

Hotels are racing into the tech age! AI makes check-ins fast and staff apps shine, while cloud tech is booming. Smart rooms? They’re not quite ready, and guests might not mind. At the International Hotel Technology Forum 2025, I sat down with leading voices sharing bold ways to boost bookings, simplify stays, and unlock data’s magic. Here’s their take: James Lemon from Stripe: Simple payments win...

Technology is reshaping travel and hospitality in profound ways. In this episode of Travel Market Life, I am joined by with Andrew Metcalf, CTO of Access Hospitality and a small hotel owner, about how AI is streamlining operations, the challenges of outdated systems, and the impact of industry consolidation. James Clarke from TravelZoo shares their switch to cost-effective off-the-shelf tech, whil...

Austin’s Convention Centre is closing for a huge four-year overhaul. I check out how the city’s tackling it—ripping it down and rebuilding right on the spot, no temporary setup, a move no other U.S. city has tried. In this episode, I’m joined by Steve Genovesi from Visit Austin, keeping tourism steady, and Josh Delgado from the AT&T Hotel and Conference Centre, stepping up his venue as a go-to...