The Power of Authentic Storytelling in Hospitality

Independent hospitality is quickly growing in popularity, but discovery remains a big challenge for both travelers and operators. In this conversation, Brett McManus, owner of Après Inn in Killington, Vermont, and founder of Inndependent Stays, explains how he’s addressing this gap. We discuss the costs of relying on OTAs, the power of people-first storytelling, and how AI-driven matching could reshape how travelers discover independent hospitality experiences. 

Learn more about Inndependent Stays and follow @InndependentStays on Instagram.

See our other episodes:

• Fresh Insights From First-Time Hoteliers on Hospitality, Community & Accidentally Going Viral - Brett and Casey McManus
• Highs and Lows of Hospitality in 2025: What First-Time Innkeeper Brett McManus Learned About Guest Experience, Operations, and Tech [1-Year Check-In]
• How We Bring Independent Ideas to Life in Hospitality - Ryan Magnon & Scott Rohm, Ithaka Hospitality Partners

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Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands