
Hospitality Daily Podcast
Stay informed and inspired to delight people and grow your business with daily conversations with interesting people doing interesting things. Hosted by Josiah Mackenzie.
Latest episodes

Dec 24, 2024 • 6min
The Hospitality of Generosity - Bill Walshe
In this replay from an earlier conversation, Bill Walshe, a global hospitality leader and the former CEO of The Viceroy Hotel Group, shares thoughts about the power of generosity in hospitality.Listen to my earlier episodes with Bill: What Guests Are Looking For In Luxury and Hospitality TodayHow "Prideology" Helped Me Inspire My Teams as CEOCreating A Culture of Belonging To Enable Consistent Individuality A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 23, 2024 • 6min
What It’s Like Providing Hospitality During the Holidays - Maria Navarro
In this episode, Maria Navarro shares a message for all of us to keep in mind this holiday season.Listen to our past episodes with Maria:We are all family this holiday seasonHow hospitality changes you (the story behind my viral article) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 23, 2024 • 6min
Lessons from a Better Christmas Tree - Christian de Boer
In this replay from an earlier conversation, Christian de Boer shares what he did differently around the holiday that inspired guests and team members alike.Listen to our past episodes with Christian:This Is What Being Radically Guest-Focused Looks LikeDoes TripAdvisor Still Matter for Hotels in 2024? (Reputation Management Masterclass)Sustainable Hospitality: Real Steps, Real Impact A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 22, 2024 • 42min
Listening to Win: How Guest Feedback Built an Award-Winning Hospitality Brand - Nathan St Cyr, Howzit Hostels
In this episode, Nathan St Cyr, co-founder of Howzit Hostels, shares how focusing on guest connections and rethinking traditional models can create extraordinary experiences and scalable success.Listen to learn:How Nathan transitioned from a successful sales leader in hospitality to co-founding Howzit Hostels.The importance of questioning traditional hospitality models and listening intently to guests.The impact of Nathan's childhood travel experiences on his approach to hospitality.The significance of community spaces and design in fostering guest connections.How Howzit Hostels integrates into the local Maui community and contributes positively.The rationale behind requiring proof of travel and a maximum stay policy.The role of guest feedback in continuously improving the hostel experience.The importance of creating a strong company culture and aligning values.How Howzit Hostels uses systems and processes to ensure consistent guest experiences.The evolving preferences of Gen Z travelers and the rise of female solo travelers.Future growth plans for Howzit Hostels and the importance of responsible scaling.Also see:Nathan's story on Growth HouseNathan's story on REL FreedomThe Hotel Investor Playbook podcast A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 21, 2024 • 13min
An Early Look at People, Tech, and Hotel Profitability Trends for 2025 - David Arraya
Take the State of the Hotel Industry Survey nowIn this episode, David Arraya, the Founder of Conscious Hospitality Unlimited, host of the Conscious Hospitality Podcast, and a former hotel general manager, shares insights from the State of the Hotel Industry Survey and discusses the challenges and opportunities facing hoteliers today.Listeners will learn:The biggest day-to-day challenges for hotel owners and operators, including revenue generation and profitability.The leadership implications of focusing on revenue and profitability versus nurturing and supporting staff.The importance of corporate support in enabling property teams to take care of their people.The excitement around innovating guest experience delivery and how it contrasts with cost-cutting measures.The role of AI-based technologies in improving efficiency and enhancing guest services.The industry's mindset towards staffing challenges and the importance of training and developing employees. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 20, 2024 • 28min
Billion-Dollar Boutique Blockbuster: The Story Behind Lark Hotels’ Joint Venture with Life House - Rob Blood
In this episode, Rob Blood, founder of Lark Hotels and now chairman of the combined company with Life House, shares insights into their recent joint venture and the future of independent hospitality. Read the announcementListen to previous episodes with Rob:How We Created An Award-Winning Boutique Hotel Management and Development Company - Meg Kennedy & Rob Blood, Lark HotelsIntro to Lifestyle Hotel Development and Management - Meg Kennedy & Rob Blood, Lark HotelsRoad Trips & Revelations: Fresh Ideas for Hospitality - Meg Kennedy & Rob Blood, Lark Hotels A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 20, 2024 • 12min
From Micro Feedback to Macro Impact: The Future of Guest Experience - Danica Smith
Danica Smith, Founder of MorningStar GX and a leading voice in guest experience technology, shares her expertise on transforming hospitality. She discusses the future of hotel guest reviews in a personalized booking process and how influencer culture shapes reputation. The session highlights 'micro feedback' as key for guest interactions while addressing the balance of data gathering with personal touchpoints. Danica also touches on innovative loyalty programs and emerging travel trends, such as sleep retreats, reshaping memorable hotel experiences.

6 snips
Dec 19, 2024 • 13min
Guest Experience Tech: What I Learned Building, Selling, and Using It - Danica Smith
In this discussion, Danica Smith, Founder of MorningStar GX, shares her expertise in using technology to enhance guest experiences in hospitality. She emphasizes guest satisfaction as the key goal in tech adoption. Simplicity is crucial—foundational services should be prioritized before advanced solutions. Danica highlights the importance of strong partnerships with tech providers and the need for transparency. She also offers practical tips on evaluating tech partners and navigating integration challenges.

Dec 18, 2024 • 31min
Beyond Buzzwords: The Truth about Guest Experience - Danica Smith
In this episode, Danica Smith, Founder of MorningStar GX, shares her insights on the enduring power of focusing on guest experience in the hospitality industry.Listen now to learn:The true meaning of "guest experience" and why it matters.Common hesitations and obstacles hotel companies face in improving guest experience.The impact of digitalizing the guest journey and the importance of on-property experiences.The role of guest feedback and online reputation in shaping guest expectations.How to effectively use guest data to empower hotel teams and improve operations.The importance of a strong management response strategy to guest reviews.Examples of creative solutions to common operational challenges in hotels. A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

Dec 17, 2024 • 31min
The Human Side of Hotel Tech: A GM's Perspective - Justin Rodriguez, Shashi Hotel
In this episode, Justin Rodriguez, General Manager at the Shashi Hotel, shares insights on how technology is transforming the hospitality experience at their hotel in the heart of Silicon Valley.Listen to learn:How Shashi Group is using technology to create a customizable room experience for guests.The impact of technology on the hotel's staff and operations.The benefits and challenges of implementing new tech in a hospitality setting.How the hotel uses guest data to enhance service and improve guest interactions.Examples of unique services and amenities enabled by technology.The importance of flexibility and adaptability in meeting guest preferences.Insights into the future of hospitality and the role of technology in shaping guest experiences.You might also enjoy: This Hotelier is Next to Google, Sees The Future, and Shares What He’s Doing About It (Dipesh Gupta, Shashi Group) A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
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