What if one event could supercharge your hotel's future? In this episode of Travel Market Life, we gear up for the Independent Hotel Show on 6-7th of October at Olympia London, chatting with Glenn Wallace, the seasoned event manager behind its 13th edition. Glenn shares reflections on last year's success, plans for enhanced networking, and hot topics like AI, sustainability, and tech innovations, plus our live sessions on marketing evolution and tech stacks.

What You’ll Learn

- Networking Boosts: Leverage the new app and extended sessions to connect with peers and suppliers effectively.
- Trend Insights: Explore AI's role in operations and sustainability strategies for smarter hotel management.
- Award Opportunities: Nominate for Hotelier of the Year or Best Design to celebrate and elevate your brand.

We highlight our interactive discussions - join us Monday at 2:15pm for marketing and revenue alignment with experts like Teresa Kingston, or Tuesday at 2:45pm to dissect tech infrastructure with Gregor Ritchie.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

How does a global hotel brand stay true to its heart on social media? In this episode, I sit down with Molly Peel, Red Carnation Hotels’ social media strategist and 2025 UK Hotel Marketing Awards Rising Star, who infuses warmth and authenticity into 18 properties worldwide.

From wildlife adventures at Kedra Safari Lodge to cozy themed high teas, Molly weaves each hotel’s unique story into Instagram and Facebook, boosting engagement by 25%. Using Hootsuite for scheduling and social listening, she shares her secrets to building trust and meaningful engagement with guests via social media.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

How can a hotel chain embed sustainability globally? I sit down with Dr Renee Nicole Wagner, Corporate Director of ESG and Quality Management at Orascom Hotels Management, to discuss how her passion for ESG is transforming over 30 properties across Switzerland, Montenegro, Oman, and Egypt. From her past as a professional athlete to leading a new ESG role since 2024, Renee shares how she built a unified strategy across diverse cultures, launching an Academy of Change to educate teams.

We explore the challenges of aligning ESG goals across varied regulations and norms, like community-driven initiatives in Egypt and Oman or addressing water consumption where tap water isn’t safe. Renee’s practical steps—integrating ESG into new hotel builds, reducing single-use plastics, and promoting local produce—offer actionable insights for balancing global ambition with local realities, urging hoteliers to embrace ESG now.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What makes a hotel website more than just a digital brochure? In this episode of Travel Market Life, I sit down with Lucy Chase-Gardener from The Grove and David Ohandjanian of Up Hotel Agency. Lucy shares how The Grove’s website revamp blended stunning visuals with smooth user experience to boost direct bookings and reflect their refreshed brand, diving into the process of crafting a clear RFP aligned with business goals.

David explores the fast-changing digital landscape, from AI personalisation to mobile-first design, and why integrating CRM and booking engines is key to engaging travellers. Their project led to a 13% rise in conversions and halved bounce rates, showing how smart design drives revenue and connects with guests in a competitive market.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

Could a single app transform luxury living into something effortlessly elegant? In this episode of Travel Market Life, recorded at the International Hotel Tech Forum, I sit down with Luisa Aires, Director of Residences at W Algarve—a breathtaking resort where hotel sophistication blends beautifully with private residences along Portugal’s sunny Algarve coast.

From managing 83 exclusive apartments to meeting sky-high expectations in just minutes, Luisa reveals how technology amplifies W’s one-of-a-kind charm. We dive into how the app seamlessly empowers her team to go above and beyond with warmth and precision. Together, we explore the magic of blending tech with genuine human connection, giving you a peek into the future of hospitality.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

At this year’s National Hotel Marketing Conference, industry leaders shared bold insights and strategies for 2025. In this episode, we explore how guest personas elevate experiences and integrated booking systems drive revenue. AI transforms personalisation and search, fuelling authentic marketing.

A clear theme from this year’s conference is that hotels can inspire through storytelling and trust.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts...

Can AI transform hospitality without losing its heart? In this episode of Travel Market Life, recorded live at the IHTF in Portugal, I sit down with André Doria, digital pioneer at PortoBay Hotels & Resorts, a 16-property Madeira treasure known for its soulful guest connections. Hailing from the stunning Madeira Islands, André reveals how his team crafted a custom AI to empower staff—predicting cancellations, streamlining operations—while keeping guest experiences warm and authentic. His passion for merging cutting-edge tech with ironclad security sparks a bold vision for AI in a people-first industry

We dive into PortoBay’s recipe for fierce staff loyalty on an island where tourism drives 80% of the economy. André shares how experimenting with open-source AI has sharpened their edge, sidestepped data risks, and preserved hospitality’s essence—like cherished guest postcards that still bring smiles years later.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.

What’s fuelling travel and hospitality in 2025? I’m joined by experts Claire Steiner, Will Plummer, and James Clark to unpack insights from our last six episodes. From Instagram-driven bookings to new Labour laws, tech mergers, financial risks, and smart travel hacks, we’re diving into what’s shaping the industry.

Giants like EasyJet and Jet2 are thriving as smaller operators falter amid mergers. Global tensions, trade tariffs, and shifting budgets are shaking up travel, yet spending is soaring. Is this hiding stagnation, or can niche players like eco-tourism startups shine? We’re also exploring tax hikes, remote work’s decline, and budget tips clients love.

Travel Market Life is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.