Welcome back to the Hotelier Huddle — the hotel podcast for people running their own hotel or accommodation business, and for hoteliers ready to take the next step in their careers.
In this episode, host Shannon Knapp talks with Tamie Matthews, founder of RevenYou and a veteran revenue strategist, about the real puzzles behind hotel profits.
You’ll hear:
* Why chasing 100% occupancy isn’t always the best strategy
* Tamie’s candy analogy for understanding revenue (it’s fun and makes sense!)
* How trust, content parity, and OTA algorithms shape hotel bookings
* Career advice for rookies on starting with big brands vs independents
* The one “go to jail” rule Tamie has when it comes to staff respect
Whether you’re just starting out in the hotel industry or looking for a fresh perspective, this chat is packed with stories and lessons you can use straight away.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:34 How Tamie Books Travel
02:57 Converting Direct Bookings
06:02 The Most Ridiculous Thing a Client Has Expected
11:17 Do We Focus Too Much On 100% Occupancy?
15:28 The OTA Algorithm Truth Serum
27:09 Learning from Different Hotel Departments
30:57 Sales vs. Revenue Management
33:08 Tamie's Superpower
33:16 Identifying Superpowers in Hoteliers