Advertise on podcast: This Week in Hospitality

This week, the guys zero in on where real leadership in hospitality is showing up — and where it isn’t. Accor’s ChatGPT partnership leads the conversation, not as a booking play, but as a signal that intent is shifting away from websites and toward questions. The takeaway is clear: brands willing to test behavior, learn how guests search, and show up early in the decision journey are already ahead. Scott brings ground truth from Thailand and Jamaica, exposing a widening mindset gap. In Asia, hospitality is still treated as craft — GMs obsess over service, personalization, and staying relevant in hyper-competitive markets. In much of the Caribbean, demand is more destination-driven, and innovation often feels defensive. Edwin adds Europe’s perspective, framing it as split between tradition, efficiency, and emotion — with each region defining “success” differently. The episode closes with Ian Schrager partnering with Highgate to scale Public Hotels — a smart handoff of execution without sacrificing creative control — and Disney’s CEO succession as a reminder that physical experiences still beat disposable content. Spice of the Week lands the point: attention is expensive, but emotion is what actually builds loyalty. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 23:53 — Story 1: Ian Schrager + Highgate take on Public Hotels 13:52 — Story 2: Accor launches ALL Accor experience inside ChatGPT 31:07 — Story 3: Disney’s next CEO signals the rise of Parks & Experiences 47:22 — Story 4: Chrome Hearts buys Malibu’s Surf Rider Hotel 42:33 — Spice of the Week   Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/  Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

This week opens in a literal snow-and-ice meltdown — and somehow ends in Bangkok’s Hangover Hotel with 3,000 people a day lining up for a movie photo op. In between, the guys hit the real storylines moving the industry. Mews just raised $300M at a $2.5B valuation, and the panel asks the uncomfortable question: is this finally the moment hotels stop “talking about modernization” and actually do it — or are we about to watch another year of operators moving at glacial speed? Then Hilton drops Undergraduate by Hilton (yes, that’s the name), and the guys debate whether it’s smart segmentation… or a branding unforced error. We close with New York’s crackdown on hidden hotel fees and credit card holds — and why this isn’t about fees at all. It’s about trust exhaustion. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 02:09 — Story #1: Muse raises $300M Series D at a $2.5B valuation 13:32 — Story #2: NYC bans hidden hotel fees and limits credit card holds 24:23 — Rumorville: Airbnb exploring an apart-hotel / management brand 27:26 — Story #3: Hilton announces “Undergraduate by Hilton” as brand #26 42:27 — Spice of the Week   Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/  Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

The guys break down the biggest stories sharing hospitality this week: Airbnb’s next move isn’t about adding inventory—it’s about repairing a model that never fully scaled. The hosts open by interrogating Airbnb’s rumored hotel strategy and whether pushing into professionally managed stays is a logical evolution or an admission that the peer-to-peer “magic” is gone. Ben argues that hotels on Airbnb make sense as distribution, not as hard assets, while Scott and Edwin are blunt: inconsistency, fees, and regulation have turned discovery into a transaction. Slapping the Airbnb logo on a building doesn’t fix trust. That tension between brand and operations carries into the Casa–Mint House combination. Rather than selling lifestyle, this deal is about operational gravity—scale, discipline, and boring execution. The panel frames it as a roll-up play that could finally produce a credible US apart-hotel operator, especially as weaker models like Sonder fade. The takeaway is clear: alternative accommodations don’t need more storytelling; they need repeatable performance. The conversation then turns cautionary with Revo Hospitality’s insolvency. Rapid post-COVID growth, thin margins, and fixed lease exposure collide with rising labor costs and softer demand. Scott distills it sharply: identity without scale burns money, and scale without discipline destroys trust. The group agrees this is another signal that curator-operator hybrids living in the “mediocre middle” are structurally fragile. Finally, OpenAI’s rollout of ChatGPT ads signals a deeper shift in travel discovery. As intent moves from search bars to prompts, hotels face a new performance channel they can’t afford to ignore—yet may be too slow to test. The episode closes with a sharper note, spotlighting White Elephant Aspen and the return of Delano Miami Beach as reminders that when brands do work, they win by executing relentlessly, not hedging. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 01:25 — Story #1: Airbnb Hotels: Smart distribution or brand dilution? 16:33 — Story #2: Casa–Mint House Signals Consolidation in Apart-Hotels 25:00 — Story #3: Revo Hospitality’s Collapse Exposes the Operator-Brand Trap 35:52 — Story #4: ChatGPT Ads and the Future of Travel Discovery 48:16 — Spice of the Week: White Elephant Aspen & Delano Miami Beach Openings   Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/  Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

The guys break down the biggest stories sharing hospitality this week: White Lotus goes to Saint-Tropez: Reports say Season 4 will film at Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez. The guys talk about why the show turns hotels into cultural characters — and what a smart property should do right now to build demand before the season even airs. Soho House deal drama: Skift reports MCR can’t fund its $200M commitment to take Soho House private. The guys unpack what this says about capital getting tighter — and whether lifestyle club brands are harder to scale when investors get disciplined. Aman’s next chess move: Skift points to signs Aman may be launching a third brand, “Atma,” positioned between ultra-luxury Aman and a more lifestyle tier. The guys dig into what segmentation (instead of dilution) signals about where luxury demand is headed. Rumor Corner — Marriott x Rosewood?! A viral FlyerTalk thread sparks speculation about a potential acquisition. It’s unconfirmed — but the guys game out what it could mean for luxury’s competitive landscape if it’s even close to real. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com.   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 04:09 — Story #1: White Lotus Heads to the Hôtel du Cap (and Hotels Confuse Visibility with Value) 20:29 — Story #2: MCR Can’t Fund the Soho House Take-Private (and the “Belonging” Problem) 35:41 — Story #3: Aman’s Quiet Expansion: A Third Brand Between Ultra-Luxury and Lifestyle 47:36 — Rumorville 56:27 — Spice of the Week   Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/  Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

A softening demand backdrop is forcing travel to pick sides: who gets welcomed, who gets rewarded, and who gets priced out. This episode tracks how that sorting is happening across destinations, hotels, OTAs, and airlines—and why “exclusivity” without a better experience is just another way to irritate customers. First, Bali’s floated idea to require bank statements for visas is framed as a blunt instrument to deter low-spend visitors, echoing Europe’s own overtourism pushback (even if enforcement looks different). Then the crew digs into CoStar’s November data showing the 19th straight month of occupancy declines, with ADR holding but RevPAR slipping—fueling a debate over whether the slump is macro confidence, a glut of bland midscale supply, or a distribution measurement problem. From there, Expedia emerges as the surprising winner: Edwin argues it’s less an OTA than the “plumbing” of travel, quietly powering white-label ecosystems and shifting negotiating leverage. Finally, American’s no-miles Basic Economy move and Delta’s Vegas Sphere lounge experiment reveal airlines doubling down on premium segmentation while loyalty perks increasingly feel like accounting, not belonging. Spice of the Week closes on why smaller, differentiated brands—and smarter “light brand” affiliations—may be the only durable edge. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 07:14 — Story #1: Bali considering bank-statement visa checks to filter tourists 14:20 — Story #2: CoStar: 19 straight months of hotel occupancy declines 25:14 — Story #3: Expedia’s resurgence and its B2B “operating system” play 33:57 — Story #4: American Airlines cuts mileage earnings for Basic Economy 44:10 — Story #5: Delta’s first off-airport lounge at the Las Vegas Sphere 51:54 — Spice of the Week Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/  Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/ Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/ Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

2025 was a year where the hospitality world stopped playing offense and started getting sorted — by who could scale, who could actually operate, and who was still living in the low-rate, high-growth fantasy of the last cycle. In this special year-end episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach is joined by Ben Wolff, Edwin Kramer, and Scott Eddy to break down the biggest winners, biggest losses, and biggest storylines that defined the year — and then go all-in on the predictions that will matter most in 2026.   This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 4:07 — 2025 in Review: Winners That Defined the Year 17:01 — The Biggest Losers of 2025: What Broke and Why 24:52 — Innovation in 2025: What Actually Mattered 34:15 — The Biggest Plot Twists of 2025 39:14 — 2026 Predictions: Companies, Bets, and Shifts to Watch 1:06:54 — Rapid Fire: Buzzwords, Disruptions, and What’s Next Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

This week, Zach, Scott, Ben, and Edwin are back — and the crew opens with Frontier’s CEO stepping down, treating it as a category autopsy. Scott argues ULCC isn’t failing because people don’t want cheap flights — it’s failing because the experience feels adversarial. Ben backs it with real consumer behavior: once basic economy closes the price gap, travelers avoid Spirit and Frontier unless it’s the only direct route. Edwin adds the European lens, noting low-cost works best when distances are short — but even there, the line between legacy and budget carriers is rapidly blurring. The conversation then pivots to Fed rate cuts and what they unlock for hospitality heading into 2026. Ben breaks down why cheaper money doesn’t just help debt — it fundamentally shifts equity psychology and makes boutique, differentiated projects pencil again. Edwin throws the caution flag: if capital flows the wrong way, independents get swallowed and everything gets blander. Scott lands the thesis: rate cuts don’t fix bad fundamentals — they expose them. Finally, the crew looks at a global demand shift hiding in plain sight: European travelers are skipping U.S. gateway cities and choosing places like Austin, Nashville, and Charleston instead. The group argues this isn’t a tourism fad — it’s driven by value, cultural legibility, and social media making secondary cities aspirational. In a world where everywhere is visible, the obvious destinations no longer win by default. In Spice of the Week, the episode gets sharp: Dubai mandates digital hotel check-in; a Maldives BTS reel proves “authentic beats polished”; and Scott closes with the line of the week — luxury isn’t a price point, it’s a choice. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 07:11 — Story #1: Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. 25:11 — Story #2: How U.S. Lodging Abandoned the Middle Class 43:45 — Best Social Media Posts of the Week 52:40 — Story #3: Uber’s AI Solutions Arm Is Recruiting Travel Agents 1:01:13 — "Spice of the Week" Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

This week, Zach, Scott, and Ben drop one of the spiciest takes on the future of hospitality yet — starting with the bombshell Netflix–Warner–Paramount showdown and why it matters more to hotels than Hollywood. Scott argues the real war isn’t over streaming… it’s over cultural control, and hotels are dangerously unprepared. Ben hits back with receipts from DTC brands and politics: the media revolution already happened, and hospitality is years behind. The crew then dismantles the claim that U.S. hotels have “abandoned the middle class.” Ben calls BS — the middle class didn’t disappear, they just want better taste and better design. Zach backs it with Gen Z trip-planning screenshots, while Scott says the real issue is affordability and aspiration colliding in real time. Then: Uber’s quiet hiring of travel planners sparks a debate about whether the rideshare giant is building the operating system for global movement. If Uber controls inspiration → booking → mobility, hotels may be fighting for visibility, not reservations. And in a fiery Spice of the Week: Instagram’s new open-reshare feature is labeled a “nuclear unlock” for hotels; Ben argues most directors of marketing should be replaced by cinematic content teams; and Scott drops the line of the episode: “Hotels aren’t places to sleep — they’re stages. And nobody is performing.” This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 07:11 — Story #1: Netflix to Acquire Warner Bros. 25:11 — Story #2: How U.S. Lodging Abandoned the Middle Class 43:45 — Best Social Media Posts of the Week 52:40 — Story #3: Uber’s AI Solutions Arm Is Recruiting Travel Agents 1:01:13 — "Spice of the Week" Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

This week, the crew kicks things off with the $100 fee hike for international visitors to U.S. national parks and what it means for gateway towns, hotel owners, and the broader appeal of “America’s best idea.” Will higher fees thin crowds, crush small operators, or just change how and where travelers spend? From there, we zoom out to the rebirth of human-led travel planning as luxury travelers get paralyzed by endless options and start seeking out high-touch, in-person advisors and “travel boutiques” instead of yet another AI-generated itinerary. Finally, we dig into the corporate wellness boom: why companies are swapping fluorescent-lit ballrooms for nature-immersed retreats, cold plunges, and sleep-optimized stays—and how savvy hotels are repositioning themselves as performance and reset hubs, not just places to crash. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 16:14 — Story #1: $100 fee hike for international visitors to U.S. national parks 28:18 — Story #2: The Return of the Travel Agency? Why Luxury Escapes’ High-End Boutiques Are Booming 38:46 — Best Social Media Posts of the Week 56:24 — Story #3: Corporate Wellness Travel Going Mainstream 47:20 — "Spice of the Week" Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

A big week of structural shifts in travel and hospitality. Capital One moves to acquire Hopper’s installed software and hire key hotel and engineering teams — signaling a deeper push into owning the traveler journey. The team explores the LuxUrban collapse which predates the Sondor fall out but has an eerily similar story. And Google announces that hotel and flight bookings are coming directly into AI Mode, collapsing research and booking into a single conversational experience. We break down what these moves mean for distribution, loyalty, hotel operators, and the future relationship between brands, banks, and big tech. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 03:10 — Story #1: Capital One Set to Acquire Hopper Travel Software 15:22 — Story #2: Yet Another Hospitality Company Files For Bankruptcy: LuxUrban 30:34 — Story #3: Hotel and flight bookings are coming to Google's AI Mode 44:30 — "Spice of the Week" Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

In this episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach Busekrus sits down with Scott Eddy, Ben Wolff, and Edwin Kramer to break down three major stories reshaping the travel and hospitality world. From Chase’s surprising 2026 travel and dining predictions, to Virgin Hotels’ sudden CEO transition, to Hilton’s sweeping overhaul of its Honors loyalty program — this week offers big questions, bold moves, and signals that could redefine strategy across the industry. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 03:27 — Story #1: Chase Travel/Dining Predictions + Sapphire Reserve Events for 2026 20:13 — Story #2: Virgin Hotels' search for new CEO is underway 34:50 — Story #3: Hilton Overhauls Loyalty Program 47:51 — "Spice of the Week" Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

In this episode of This Week in Hospitality, Zach Busekrus sits down with Scott Eddy, Ben Wolff, and Edwin Kramer to unpack three major stories dominating the travel and hospitality world. From Sonder’s dramatic collapse following Marriott’s termination, to Hilton’s launch of the Outset Collection, to Airbnb’s bold embrace of hotels — this was one of the most consequential weeks the industry has seen in years. The team brings perspectives spanning global travel, hotel development, luxury operations, and hospitality tech. Fast-paced, unfiltered, and deeply informed — this is the weekly breakdown every hotelier, operator, developer, and investor should be listening to. This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you’re an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at alliance.journey.com. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Introductions & why this podcast exists 09:12 — Story #1: Sonder × Marriott partnership collapses 17:08 — Ben’s take: STR brand value & commodity product problem 23:45 — Marriott, scale, loyalty, and future brand strategy 25:47 — Story #2: Hilton launches The Outset Collection 33:50 — Owner perspective: data, flag strategies, ROI trade-offs 39:01 — Independents vs. major flags: the next 10 years 42:11 — Story #3: Airbnb officially welcomes hotels 45:42 — Airbnb’s evolution into a hospitality ecosystem 50:51 — Does Airbnb need a total rebrand? 54:00 — “Back to hospitality roots” debate 54:53 — Wrap-up & what’s coming next Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/    Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uniquestaysguy/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

Every Friday morning, This Week in Hospitality brings you the most important stories, insights, and innovations shaping the global hospitality industry — distilled and discussed by people who actually build within it. Hosted by Ben Wolff, Scott Eddy, Edwin Kramer, and Zach Busekrus, this weekly conversation is crafted for the founders, operators, and dreamers creating the next generation of hospitality brands. You’ll get more than just headlines — you’ll get perspective. Each episode breaks down the week’s most compelling hospitality stories and explores what they really mean for independent hotel owners, boutique brands, and experiential travel entrepreneurs. From brand strategy and design trends to tech disruption and capital markets, This Week in Hospitality keeps you informed, inspired, and ready for what’s next. So grab your morning coffee, and catch up on the stories that matter — before your guests check in. New episodes every Friday morning. Ben Wolff Ben Wolff is the visionary founder behind Onera, a trailblazing landscape hotel brand in the Texas Hill Country, and Oasi, a next-generation management company pioneering experiential hospitality. Known for pushing the boundaries of design, wellness, and guest immersion, Ben has become a leading voice in the evolution of high-end, nature-driven travel experiences. His work sits at the intersection of architecture, emotion, and environment — redefining what modern luxury feels like in the wild. Scott Eddy Scott Eddy is one of the world’s most recognized hospitality voices — a global keynote speaker, digital strategist, and content creator who has partnered with hundreds of luxury hotel brands, tourism boards, and travel startups. Named among the top travel influencers worldwide, Scott brings a rare blend of brand storytelling expertise, social strategy, and on-the-ground hospitality experience, offering a panoramic view of how digital connection drives modern guest loyalty. Edwin Kramer A hospitality executive with a pedigree forged at the world’s leading luxury hotels, Edwin has held senior leadership roles with brands like Four Seasons, EDITION, and W Hotels across multiple continents. Known for operational excellence and cultural leadership, Edwin has built and managed five-star teams that deliver some of the most lauded guest experiences in the industry. Today, he brings that global lens to the conversations shaping hospitality’s future — where service, innovation, and storytelling converge. Zach Busekrus Zach is on the founding team of Journey, a next-generation loyalty and storytelling platform empowering independent hotels and vacation rental brands to compete globally without losing their soul. He’s also the creator and host of Behind the Stays, one of the fastest-growing podcasts in hospitality, where he’s interviewed the visionaries behind some of the world’s most creative stays. With a decade in growth strategy and marketing, Zach brings a founder’s curiosity and contagious optimism to every conversation — always championing the builders shaping the future of independent hospitality. This Week in Hospitality is brought to you by Journey — an AI-powered loyalty platform redefining the future of how the world's top independent hospitality brands engage with their guests. Learn more at Journey.com.