Advertise on podcast: Hoteliers’ Voice

Discounting gets heads in beds, but does it drive profitable growth? Does it deliver the right type of guests? What are the risks? In this episode, we sit down with Jon Siberry, Revenue Consultant for Z Hotels and Sarova Hotels, to uncover the real impact of flash sales and impulse buying in today’s hotel landscape. Jon breaks down what actually drives results versus what simply erodes your Average Daily Rate (ADR). Whether you're looking to fill sudden distressed inventory or test new market segments, this conversation provides a practical roadmap for executing flash campaigns without diluting your brand. In this episode, we discuss: What Works vs. What Doesn't: The exact conditions under which a flash campaign succeeds, and the common pitfalls that burn revenue.Impact on Rates & ADR: How to structure deep discounts without destroying your rate integrity or anchor pricing.The "Impulse" Guest Profile: Who actually books these deals, their lead times, and how their behavior differs from direct bookers.Ancillary Spend & RevPAR: Does a discounted rate lead to lower overall spend, or can on-property upselling make up the difference?Reviewing Performance: Key metrics beyond occupancy to evaluate whether a campaign was genuinely incremental or just cannibalized direct bookings.

In this episode, founder and director Ira Vouk explains the role of the AI Hospitality Alliance (AIHA), an independent organisation driving the responsible, collaborative adoption of artificial intelligence in the hospitality industry. Cendyn's Chief Customer Officer, Luke Markesky explains why they are a member and why it is an important approach to AI development. What we cover : Mission & Operations: Addressing shared challenges, establishing standards, and defining the alliance's core focus areas.Risks, Concerns & Strategy: Navigating AI adoption, key concerns facing tech vendors, and managing risk and data privacy.Partnership & Governance: Who holds the industry accountable as AI continues to evolve. For further details visit www.joinAIHA.com.

In this episode, recorded at the Kent Edition of our Hospitality Roundtable roadshow, we dive into the core strategies for driving revenue, optimising distribution, and securing high-value corporate business in today's competitive hospitality landscape. Episode Highlights: Alternative Distribution with Rory King (Rory’s Travel Club): We explore how to rethink your partnership strategy to drive direct bookings. Rory discusses what Rory’s Travel Club is, how it’s changing the game, and strategies for hotels to reclaim control over their booking channels.Conversion Success with Siggi Schrot (Net Affinity): Learn the secrets to turning traffic into bookings. Siggi breaks down how to manage the traffic-versus-conversion balance, keep your website content relevant, and effectively target the audiences that matter most.Securing Corporate Business with Geraldine Brennan (Oracle): We look at the corporate market landscape. Geraldine discusses current trends, the power of automated sales activities, and how integrated platforms enable faster service delivery and unlock new upsell As part of our Roundtable Roadshow 2026 with sponsors Oracle, Focus on Hospitality, Rory's Travel Club, Net Affinity, Keystep Solutions and Studio Moren.

In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of digital transformation and operational scaling in the hospitality sector. We are joined by the Roundtable Roadshow Platinum Sponsor, Oracle, represented by David Hayward, who shares insights into the current landscape of the independent hotel market and why it’s time for hoteliers to rethink their technology stack. We also feature an exclusive case study with Philip Houghton, Managing Director of SuperCity Aparthotels - the recent winners of the 'Best Operator (51-200 units)' award at the 2026 Serviced Apartment Awards. Philip discusses SuperCity’s journey from its first property in 2009 to its current rapid expansion across the UK, and how their recent move to Opera Cloud PMS is empowering their formidable brand growth. Key discussion points include: Digital Transformation: David Hayward breaks down the primary drivers of digital change, how to succeed in your transformation journey, and clears up common misconceptions about Oracle.Case Study Strategy: Philip Houghton details the strategic imperatives behind SuperCity’s recent PMS upgrade, the partner selection process, and the tangible commercial and staff benefits observed since deployment.Tech for Growth: Advice for hotels looking to modernize their systems and guidance on "future-proofing" your tech to drive revenue and outperform your competitor set.

What does it really take to run a historic, Grade II listed country house estate without losing your mind - or your sense of humor? Our guest in this episode certainly embodies the humour through the challenge. Ryan sits down with James McComas, General Manager of the iconic Champneys Eastwell Manor in Kent. From hosting fairy tale weddings and high-stakes corporate retreats to operating an award-winning spa and the 2-Rosette Gardenia restaurant, James takes us behind the grand facade of one of the UK’s premier independent luxury destinations. What We Cover in This Episode: The Reality of Historic Building Management: Why working with centuries-old architecture is "endlessly engaging" yet bound to "present a certain level of frustration"including the time James had to deal with an actual sinkhole in the middle of Kent!Mastering the Craft: The endless challenge of finding skilled traditional craftsmen while balancing budgets, routine maintenance, and long-term investment planning.Operations & Scale: How the estate navigates the exclusive-use market, handles changeable demand patterns, and scales up seamlessly for massive events.People & Expectations: Tackling the industry-wide shortage of skilled workers (like specialist spa therapists) and bridging the gap when customer expectations risk misalignment with a historic venue.Independent Ownership: The agility, freedom, and unique hurdles of operating under independent private ownership. "If something is going to go wrong, it's certainly not going to be boring. You just have to take these things, laugh at them, and work through it." James McComas Tune in for an unfiltered, witty, and deeply insightful masterclass in hospitality leadership, resilience, and the delicate balance of preserving heritage while delivering modern 5-star luxury.

Come in and join us at our recent Roundtable in Kensington London, featuring a candid interview with Jo Morgan, Consultant and Fractional Operations Director with Meliora Consultancy – until recently in her role as Operation Director at The Other House. We cut through the noise to discuss the realities of running a hotel today and then hear from the audience as to what we think British guests expect. Join us as we explore: The Reality Check: A look at current industry challenges and the essential things leaders must keep in sight to stay ahead.Strategic Growth: How to balance aggressive business planning without compromising your team’s well-being or the guest experience.The Fractional Consultant Life: Jo shares insights on the rise of specialized consulting, the importance of coaching, and how to find the right support in a shifting market.The Staycation Boom: We dive into the evolving landscape of British guest expectations—and what your property needs to do to meet them. Whether you are navigating operational pressures or looking to optimize your business strategy, this episode offers actionable insights into balancing high-performance growth with the heart of hospitality.

RECORDED LIVE 9 June 2026 at The Other House, Kensington. In this episode, we unpack the stark reality facing the UK hotel sector in 2026: while business volume is up, profit margins are shrinking. As Q1 data reveals TRevPAR growth struggling to outpace rising labor costs, we examine how operators can adapt. Joined by Jonathon Liu (Verdi Hotels), Inna Nekrassova (Hotel Cafe Royal), and Jo Morgan (The Other House), we explore the structural shifts redefining the industry. Jonathon highlights how hotels are no longer just competing with each other but with a surge in alternative accommodations, necessitating a fundamental rethink of product design and branding. Our panel discusses why luxury properties must stop the "race to the bottom" on pricing, instead focusing on strategic storytelling and unique guest experiences to create value. We also address the "digital conversion gap," where poor website experiences continue to bleed bookings, and pivot to the talent crisis. With Gen Z workers seeking purpose and belonging rather than "just a job," Inna and Jo examine how leaders must frame hospitality careers to ensure long-term retention. Despite these headwinds, we explore the silver lining: a 40% surge in staycation demand as guests increasingly seek leisure closer to home.

In this episode we look at how to build experience and tap into events in a large countryside resort - identifying opportunity for operational efficiency and revenue optimisations. Paul Wells from Studio Moren kicks us off by discussing the evolution of UK resort development. We examine how country house hotels are rethinking their extensive grounds to function more like modern resorts, touching on the key opportunities of space utilization and the complex realities of navigating planning permissions - while securing more high-value revenue. Next, Geraldine Brennan from Oracle provides a deep dive into managing weddings, parties, and conferences in a countryside setting. Geraldine shares the latest industry wedding trends and explains how hotels can master event management on large resorts through streamlined communications, efficient processes, and mobile accessibility. We also look at how leveraging the right technology can eliminate administrative errors by reducing double-entry and fragmented management. The conversation then shifts to the guest experience, with Prem Jethwa-Odedra from Biteluxe exploring how AI-led messaging can treat every guest like a VIP. We discuss actionable goals for introducing these tools and analyze the commercial impact of AI-driven guest engagement. Finally, Renato Machado from Upsell Guru shares expert advice on tapping into additional revenue streams, covering high-converting packages and the best practices for managing upsell products. The episode concludes with hoteliers sharing real-world insights on overcoming spa management challenges to successfully capture extra spend.

ROI in staff roundtable kent edition Interview with James McComas - GM, Champneys Eastwell Manor Another agile year unfoldingPredicting demandClashing of brands and audiencesWhy working together is needed in Kent Partner - HOSPA - Janel Clark, Succeeding at people Professional development, keeping hospitality a people business, making a career from a service industry.What courses are there?What level of experience is needed?How are learners supported? POV - Nicola Phillips - Hospitality Action - How to support staff emotionally What are the concerns of hospitality workers?What type of management and support network is needed?Where does Hospitality Action come in? Engaging in schools and colleges In this episode of the ROI in Staff roundtable (Kent Edition), we dive into the critical intersection of modern hospitality management, regional collaboration, and staff well-being. We begin with James McComas, GM at Champneys Eastwell Manor, who unpacks the realities of an "agile" year in the industry. James explores the challenges of predicting fluctuating demand and navigating the complex "clash of brands and audiences," ultimately advocating for stronger regional cooperation across Kent to navigate these shifting tides. Transitioning to professional development, Janel Clark from HOSPA joins us to discuss "Succeeding at People." We examine how to keep the sector human-centric while creating clear, sustainable career paths within the service industry. Janel provides valuable insights into available educational courses, the experience levels required for advancement, and the support systems available for learners. Finally, we address the human element of the industry with Nicola Phillips from Hospitality Action. This segment focuses on the emotional support systems necessary for a resilient workforce. Nicola highlights the specific concerns facing today’s hospitality workers and details the management networks required to support them. We conclude by looking at the importance of actively engaging schools and colleges to foster the next generation of hospitality talent - and initiatives some hoteliers are taking to connect with staff on a deeper more meaningful level.

Interview with Harpreet Saluja: A year in making Owner shares his personal experience of taking over Kings Court Hotel, as we dive into determining investment priorities, building out a tech change and deciphering today’s market challenges 20 years ago Harpreet Singh Saluja lands in the UK with a few quid to his name and takes on his first job in hospitality as a pot washer. Today, he owns several businesses, and a year on from taking on Kings Court Hotel in Alcester by Stratford Upon Avon, he explains the challenges of taking on a run-down family business, investing in tech necessities, building a formidable team and the journey to reposition in the market. We learn Why the Kings Court HotelThe on arrivalAchievements in a yeaToday’s challengesPlan for the future Hear Harpreets learnings, his greatest achievement and his perspective on why hospitality industry is struggling. The Kings Court Hotel played host to the Stratford-Upon-Avon edition of the roundtable roadshow.

This Hoteliers' Voice podcast from the Stratford-Upon-Avon edition of the roundtable roadshow explores how independent hotels can become "future-ready" by embracing digital transformation. Celtic Collection discuss new technologies, cloud migration, and the role of digital strategy in achieving operational success. Featuring: Harpreet Saluja, owner of Kings Court Hotel shares his experience of taking over the property as we dive into determining investment priorities, building out a tech change and deciphering today’s market challenges ORACLE, David Hayward, with a 20-year industry perspective, explores where the Independent hotel market is today, and how hotels can realise the value of new technologies and drive their digital transformation. HOSPA, Amanda Brown, Head of Membership explains the benefits of being part of a UK industry membership organisation Shakespeare’s England, Sian Smith provides quick low-down on regional travel and tourism marketing campaigns. Focus on Hospitality, Alessandra Leoni explains underpinning all operations, revenue, commercial and guest experience - how to ensure the infrastructure and support delivers and remains consistent with tech moving fast and remaining future ready Declan Bloomer, Head of Systems and Support, Celtic Collection shares his experience of digital transformation and how they went about it to identify the right people and right technology

What happened at Travelodge sent alarm bells ringing across the industry - how do we keep guests safe and provide clear protocols to all staff? Keystep Solutions' Andrew Evans kicks off a discussion on Non-negotiable guest security on how hotels can ensure that their teams don’t put their guests at risk. At the Stratford-Upon-Avon roundtable - hoteliers share their thoughts and approach to managing safety of guests

A trip to find out what is on the minds of hoteliers when it comes to marketing - here I grab a few quick interviews with hoteliers and sponsors on what to be thinking about. Featuring: Chloe Parry from Carden Park - key marketing considerations Harry Fielder, Hotel Marketing Association and UmiDigital - where tech plays a role Daniel Ohandjanian, UpHotel Agency - integrations and expanding the product suite Holly McCue, Net Affinity - grabbing the right guests Des Mahoney, Book Assist - managing th booking flow Matt Willacy, Forsight - guest communications and engagement Dan Assor, No Vacancy London - marketing events

The front desk at Kenilworth was handling a high volume of guest requests that had nothing to do with hospitality. The cost was not just operational, it was cultural. Staff felt like a switchboard, not a team. Joined by Nick Rubin Chief Strategy Officer at BGAM Hospitality and Daniel Ojeme Co-founder, CEO and CTO of Eccobell Limited, in this episode we look at How to recognise pain points in team moraleIdentifying hospitality vs administrative tasksUtilising tech to support hotel teamsProviding better services to guests Belle went live at Kenilworth in August 2025 via QR codes placed in every guest room, stuck to the wall in a prominent position. Guests scan the code with their mobile phone, which opens the Eccobell web app directly in their browser. Belle lives on that web app.

LIVE from Everyman Cinema Broadgate, HOSPA in partnership with Next Wave Hospitality. This panel session sponsored by Focus on Hospitality explores how AI has dominated hospitality conversations over the last 18 months. This session cuts through the hype and focuses on what actually drives performance. What are the real blockers inside hotels today?What foundations need to be in place before innovation can deliver value?How do operators make smarter investment decisions that improve guest experience, support teams, and create commercial return? Because high-performing hotels are rarely powered by the newest tool. They are powered by getting the basics right, then scaling intelligently. This session brings together operators and industry experts to explore the end-to-end hotel journey, from design and infrastructure through to guest experience, revenue performance, and post-stay feedback and loyalty. Speakers: Arik Fletcher, Fraction vCTO, Focus Group Kevin Edwards, CEO, Hospitality Technology Advisory Gavin A., VP of Information Technology & Innovation, Yotel Samuel Actford, Group IT Manager, Exclusive Collection