In this episode, we meet Bardia Torabi, General Manager of 7Pines Ibiza.
Bardia shares his extensive journey in the hospitality industry, detailing his experiences and insights into luxury hotel management. He discusses the unique offerings of 7Pines and, in particular, 7Pines Ibiza - including the diverse customer profile, and the importance of creating memorable experiences for clients. He emphasises the importance of creating inclusive team cultures and we loved his "Hotel Mama" culture-building approach.
As always, we finish the episode with Bardia's personal travel insights - including his favourite hotel, favourite city and his perfect vacation.
Find out more about 7Pines at www.7pines.com and visit 7Pines Ibiza at 7pines-ibiza.com.
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In this episode, we're talking with Marcello Mangia, CEO and President of Mangia Resorts. Marcello shares insights into the evolution of his family business, the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, and the changing definition of luxury in travel. He emphasises the importance of authenticity in guest experiences and the company's commitment to training staff to provide exceptional service. Marcello also discusses the unique offerings of Mangia Resorts, including culinary experiences and the company's mission to create memorable vacations for guests.
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In this episode, Kelly Forbes, founder of the A'ARU Collective, shares her extensive background in luxury travel, her transition into hotel sales, and the inspiration behind her company.
A'ARU focuses on curating sustainable luxury travel experiences that prioritise meaningful connections and authentic local interactions.
Kelly discusses the evolving expectations of luxury travellers, the importance of sustainability in the industry, and how A'ARU aims to bridge the gap between luxury and responsible travel.
She emphasises the need for hotels to align their values with those of their customers and the growing demand for experiences that foster connection and well-being.
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Find out more and connect with Kelly via her LinkedIn profile.
In this Journeys Masterclass, Steve Endacott discusses the intersection of disruption, innovation, and luxury travel, emphasising the transformative impact of AI on the industry.
He shares his personal journey in travel, the importance of adapting to technological advancements, and practical steps for luxury operators to enhance customer experience. Steve also explores the future expectations of ultra-high net worth clients and the evolving landscape of SEO in the age of AI, concluding with insights on the necessity of building the right teams for success in the travel sector.
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In this episode, we are meeting Carmela Piazza from the Grand Hotel et Des Palmes in Palermo.
Carmela shares her career journey from Sicily to the Grand Hotel, detailing her passion for hospitality and the rich history of the hotel.
She discusses the unique experiences available to guests, the impact of the pandemic on the travel industry, and the growing demand for authentic local experiences in Palermo.
Finally, she offers valuable advice for travel advisors and highlights some undiscovered gems in the city.
Connect with Carmela via her LinkedIn profile and find out more about the hotel at despalmes.mangias.com
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In this episode, we're meeting Delia Monfrecola, founder of D Luxury Hospitality, a boutique firm that represents some of Italy’s most prestigious hotels. With nearly 20 years in luxury hospitality, Delia shares her philosophy on what true luxury means, why emotions drive sales, and how hoteliers can connect more deeply with high-net-worth travellers.
Takeaways:
How Delia’s personal signature inspired the name D Luxury Hospitality
The evolution from “revenge travel” to emotionally resonant experiences
Why luxury sales must go beyond rooms and focus on feelings and trust
The importance of not only targeting ultra-high-net-worth individuals
Why luxury travel advisors still matter—even in the age of OTAs
How social media and influencer marketing should be used in hospitality
The sales/marketing disconnect that hotels must urgently fix
Delia’s best travel memories, including a hidden island with no roads or internet
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You can connect with Delia on her LinkedIn Profile and find out more about her company at www.d-luxuryhospitality.com.
In this conversation, Stella Photi, founder of Wellbeing Escapes, shares her personal journey of overcoming stress and burnout, leading to the creation of her wellness travel company.
She discusses the evolution of the wellness industry, the impact of COVID-19 on mental health, and the importance of tailored experiences for clients.
Stella emphasises the need for authenticity in wellness offerings and the challenges of marketing in a digital age.
The conversation concludes with insights into the future of wellness travel and the significance of exploring undiscovered travel gems.
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Some of the destinations that Stella mentioned:
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You can connect with Stella on her LinkedIn Profile and find her company online at www.wellbeingescapes.com.
In today's episode, we are meeting Andrea Filippi, Chief Commercial Officer of the Italian hotel management group, Egnazia.
Andrea gives us an overview of his extensive background in luxury hospitality and the unique offerings of Egnazia.
He shares insights into the evolving trends in the hospitality industry, the importance of personal wellbeing, and the significance of immersive experiences for guests.
Andrea also discusses the diverse clientele of Egnazia and highlights some of his favourite destinations and hotels, including the hidden gem of Maratea on the Amalfi Coast and the iconic Borgo Egnazia.
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In this episode, we meet Flavio Bucciarelli from Erqole, discussing his background in hospitality, the unique offerings of the Erqole Group, and the company's philosophy of personalised service through storytelling.
Flavio shares insights into the target audience for their luxury properties in Porto Ercole, the importance of local employment, and the authentic, exciting and relaxing activities available for guests. Finally, we discover how Flavio has hospitality in his blood and we also hear about his own travel preferences with his family.
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Keywords
hospitality, Erqole Group, travel, luxury, Porto Ercole, Italy, storytelling, customer experience, travel planning, agritourism
In this episode, we meet Keith Waldon, Founder & Director of Luxury Travel Advisors, Departure Lounge. Keith shares his journey in the luxury travel industry, discussing the founding of his company, the importance of kindness and professionalism in business, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experiences. He reflects on post-COVID travel trends, the evolution of customer discovery through social media, and the significance of strong supplier relationships. Keith also shares personal insights about his favourite travel destinations and his vision for the future of travel.
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00:00 Introduction to Keith Walden and Departure Lounge
02:52 The Birth of Departure Lounge
06:08 Culture of Kindness and Professionalism
09:02 Technology and Innovation in Travel
12:00 Post-COVID Travel Trends
14:50 Customer Discovery in the Digital Age
18:05 Supplier Relationships and Partnerships
21:03 Personal Insights and Travel Preferences
In this episode, we meet Tristan Dowell, Global Vice President of Luxury, Lifestyle & Leisure for Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
Tristan highlights the company's expansion through acquisitions and the development of new brands and properties.
Dowell also introduces Hyatt Privé, an invitation-only program for luxury travel advisors, and discusses the company's commitment to sustainability through its World of Care initiative.
During the conversation, Tristan discusses the resilience of the travel industry and the creativity that emerged during the pandemic. He emphasizes the importance of keeping the conversation and engagement with the industry alive, sharing ideas and experiences. He also highlights trends he's seeing across the industry, including the focus on well-being, the demand for villas and suites, the connection to nature and communities, and the importance of culinary experiences.
He mentions the Miraval brand and its transformational well-being experiences. Dowell concludes by sharing his favourite travel experiences and destinations.
Useful Links:
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Keywords
Tristan Dowell, Hyatt Hotels Corporation, luxury travel, acquisitions, brands, properties, Hyatt Privé, sustainability, World of Care, post-COVID, bounce back, resilience, creativity, engagement, trends, well-being, villas, suites, nature, communities, culinary experiences, Miraval brand, travel experiences, destinations
In this episode, we meet Patrick Monney of Travelquest.
Patrick and his business partner Hector focus on designing trips to unique and lesser-known destinations, such as Morocco, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and Algeria. They explore these places themselves to add a personal touch to their recommendations.
Patrick's background as a journalist and dentist gives him a unique perspective on travel. Post-COVID, Patrick explains that people are eager to travel but often prefer familiar destinations. He encourages clients to explore off-the-beaten-path locations and offers personalized trip designs to help.
You can find Patrick on LinkedIn or Instagram and visit his company website at https://travelquest.com.mx/.
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In this episode, we meet Jorge Franz, SVP of Tourism and Industry Relations at Houston First.
Jorge gives us an overview of Houston First and its role as the destination marketing organization for Houston. He also shares his own background and how he got into the tourism industry.
We then asked Jorge to highlight the diverse offerings of Houston, including Space Center Houston, the Museum District, and the culinary scene.
He emphasizes Houston's commitment to providing unique and memorable experiences for VIP travellers and offers insider tips, such as visiting the Cistern and enjoying authentic cowboy meals.
George also discusses Houston's medical tourism and the city's efforts to highlight African-American history and culture. He finishes by inviting travel buyers to consider Houston as a new destination and emphasizes the importance of the travel industry to the city.
Takeaways
Reach out to Jorge and his team at Houston First. You can find Jorge on LinkedIn here.
Keywords
Jorge Franz, Houston, Houston First, destination marketing organization, tourism, Space Center Houston, Museum District, culinary scene, VIP experiences, insider tips, medical tourism, African-American history, travel industry
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In this episode, we meet Alejandro Roca Rivera, the Events Director at Journeys Global. We discuss Alejandro's background in journalism and events management, his role at Journeys Global, and the company's focus on organizing targeted events for hoteliers and DMCs in the luxury travel industry.
Alejandro also shares highlights from recent events, such as helicopter rides overlooking Niagara Falls and a bowling outing in Manchester. He mentions upcoming events in Houston and talks about the FAM-meet formula, which aims to foster relationships and trust among participants. Alejandro also shares his favourite holiday experience in Japan and his love for his hometown of Ferrol in Galicia, Spain.
I said to Alex, we'd place a link to the Visit Galicia tourism website - so here it is.
Key Takeaways
Keywords
events, travel industry, luxury travel, hoteliers, DMCs, targeted events, FAM-meet, helicopter rides, bowling, Houston, Galicia, Spain
In this episode, we meet the founder of Journeys Global, Micaela Giacobbe and we learn more about the objectives of the Journeys Profile series.
As Micaela explains, Journeys Profile is a podcast series featuring interviews with executives from the luxury travel industry.
We'll also learn more about the company behind the podcast, Journeys Global. Micaela and her team specialise in creating tailored, niche events around the world using cutting-edge tools and techniques to encourage meaningful interactions between attendees. The 2024 calendar includes events in London, Manchester, North America, and Dubai.
Micaela also outlines "the fam meet way" concept -- a blend of B2B meetings and familiarization trips, it's an approach that helps establish long-lasting relationships between travel buyers and suppliers.
Finally, we discover Micaela's own travel preferences, including her favourite city, her best place to work remotely, and we ask if she has a favourite airport...
Takeaways
Keywords
Journey's Profile, Journeys Global, travel industry, events, niche events, meaningful interactions, spring calendar, fam meet concept, B2B meetings, familiarization trips, podcast, videos, testimonials, Costa del Sol, Turin