Hospitality Podcast: LowKey by Oaky

Poor communication is the silent killer of hotel profits. That’s the hard truth shared by Alex Slors, Founder and Managing Director of Alex Slors Consulting, in our latest episode of LowKey by Oaky, hosted by Oaky’s CEO and Co-founder, Erik Tengen.With decades of experience bridging the gap between owners, operators, brands, and investors, Alex unpacks why communication isn’t just a soft skill but a strategic lever that directly impacts your bottom line.🎥 Watch on YouTube: [Insert link] 🎧 Listen on Spotify: [Insert link]What you’ll learn:Why the asset manager’s role is more “glue” than “commander” or “general”How alignment between owners, brands, and hotel teams drives long-term valueHow poor communication quickly erodes EBITDAThe risks of letting brand or ownership agendas overshadow hotel performanceSurprising parallels between asset managers and startup CEOsWhen brands should push back and say “no” to ownersWhy hotel employees are the most overlooked stakeholders and why that needs to changeAnd more!

Danica Smith, CEO & Founder of MorningStar GX and a guest experience expert, dives into what modern guests truly want. She reveals the gap between guest desires and hotel perceptions, stressing that true personalization is key. Danica emphasizes the impact of emotional connections on loyalty and the importance of breaking down internal silos. Discover how technology complements human interaction and why prioritizing staff satisfaction directly enhances guest experiences, essential for thriving in hospitality today.

Join Philip Steiner, COO at Cycas Hospitality, as he shares insights from transforming the Bankside Hotel into a TripAdvisor top performer. He emphasizes the critical role of planning and diversity in team success. Philip discusses the power of empowerment and clarity in leadership, making a case for authenticity and flexibility in managing hotel teams. Learn why a positive culture is essential and how tackling challenges head-on can lead to exceptional outcomes in hospitality.

What if your guests could choose to book directly over OTAs every time? In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we dive deeper into the secrets of driving direct bookings and building guest loyalty with Diego Fernández Pérez de Ponga, CEO of Port Hotels and author of The Art of Revenue, joined by Pablo Torres, Hospitality Consultant and Oaky’s Front Desk Upselling Coach.Get ready to discover:Critical technical aspects your website may be missing that hinder your direct bookingsCommon mistakes hoteliers make when trying to generate direct bookingsThe key elements of a winning loyalty program How to make marketing work to your advantageWhy the ancillary revenue strategy is becoming more important in modern hospitality

Data is a cornerstone of revenue management, and it becomes even more crucial as you move toward embracing total revenue management.In this episode of the LowKey by Oaky podcast, Rebekka Berger, Director of Revenue and Business Performance at Hotel Okura Amsterdam, provides an inside scoop on how she and her team use data to optimize revenue, refine offerings, and deliver exceptional guest service.Together with Oaky’s Saahil Karkera, VP of Customer Success, they discuss: The difference between traditional revenue management and total revenue management Why a total revenue management strategy is essential for profitability The challenges of data collection and management and how Hotel Okura tackles them How Hotel Okura Amsterdam navigates and analyzes data for data-driven decisions How guest demographic data is used to enhance service and drive profitability And much more!

Generating more revenue is just one piece of the revenue puzzle. Another key piece is optimizing your VAT strategy. In this episode of LowKey by Oaky, we sat down with Martin Morawski, VAT Lawyer and Partner at Hamelink & Van den Tooren, to explore practical VAT optimization strategies to drive profitability. With extensive experience working with OTAs, booking platforms, and major hotel chains, Martin shares insider tips to help you see VAT not as a compliance burden but as an opportunity. Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into: - Impactful VAT optimization strategies enabling hotels to save more - How to optimize your cancellation policies with VAT in mind - How to turn bundles and packages into profit opportunities - What’s on the horizon and how to stay prepared for upcoming VAT changes. Discover other episodes: https://oaky.com/en/hospitality-podcast-lowkey-by-oaky Follow us on social media: https://open.spotify.com/show/1MwAWFaykVu7O7YlMpUOSE?si=f4dbbc7b69ed443e https://www.instagram.com/oakynews/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/oaky/ https://www.facebook.com/oakynews/ https://twitter.com/oakynews

Is only one person on your team actively upselling at the front desk?Or maybe you’re facing resistance or low motivation from your team when trying to implement a front desk upselling strategy? The good news is, that with the right approach, you can leave these challenges behind. In this episode of the LowKey podcast, Pablo Torres, a hospitality expert, author, and Oaky’s new front desk upselling coach, shares practical strategies to help set up your entire team for success.Together with Oaky’s Erik Tengen, they dive deeper into:  Why front desk upselling matters in today’s hospitality industry How a front desk upselling consultant can help hotels uncover and address challenges that hold them back from executing a winning upselling strategy How to turn your front desk agents into top sales performers Traditional vs. next-generation upselling   How technology can make upselling more consistent, fun, and rewarding for hotel teams Real stories and anecdotes from Pablo’s 14-year career consulting career.

What are API-first platforms, and how are they different from regular PMSs with API capabilities? What benefits do they bring to hotels, and how are they shaping the future of hospitality? Our latest podcast episode of LowKey is the perfect place to find answers to these questions. Hear from our guest, Ulrich Pillau, Founder and CEO of Apaleo, a seasoned hotel industry expert, joined by Oaky’s CEO and Co-Founder, Erik Tengen. The episode sheds light on: The difference between API-first platforms and regular hotel PMSs  The shift from closed hotel technology to more open platforms that allow for enhanced flexibility and scalability Aspects that API-first platforms prioritize, such as the instant availability of functions and self-service capabilities, and their impact on the efficiency of hotel operations Real-world migration success stories and examples of transitioning from traditional PMS to Apaleo.

Creating a hotel budget is a complex process that involves coordinating many different elements.  To make this process easier for you, we’ve taken a closer look at all the budget aspects you need to consider to ensure your budget plan is robust. Our guest Gaby Maaswinkel-vd Bosch, Regional Director of Revenue Optimization for Central Europe & Prize by Radisson, will walk you through the ins and outs of creating an effective hotel budget. What you will learn:  What are the key elements to consider when preparing a budget for the upcoming year? How extensive experience in revenue management has changed Gaby’s approach to budgeting. How much time is needed to complete a budget, and how collaboration between various departments plays a vital role in its creation. How to forecast revenue and expenses to ensure the budget is accurate and realistic. And much more…

Luxury travel is booming in the Asia-Pacific region. But how can you stand out from the competition and attract affluent travelers specifically to your hotel? 🌴 Together with Saahil Karkera, VP of Customer Success at Oaky, and Marjorie Tann, Customer Success Manager, we will dive deeper into how getting a creative edge can help you thrive in the competitive market. What you will discover: ✅ How the luxury travel segment has evolved in recent years, and what new trends are emerging ✅ How creative offerings can help you stand out in the competitive APAC luxury travel market ✅ Why personalized and authentic local experiences are important for attracting high-net-worth travelers ✅ How a Revenue Manager can effectively present and convince a General Manager to experiment with creative upselling solutions. ✅ Real-world examples of successful room upgrade offerings and F&B deals.