Monthly Archives: October 2023

Robin Woodhead: From Childhood Travels to Antarctic Trailblazer. TSHS – 0061

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Join host Sam Erik as he speaks with Robyn Woodhead, who turned childhood travel adventures into a career pioneering luxury polar expeditions. Robin shares how her parents fostered her insatiable curiosity through globe-trotting from a young age. 

Hear how a failed Antarctic expedition in her 20s spent stuck in a tent led Robyn to establish  with her husband the world’s first luxury camp in Antarctica’s interior. She reflects on the hard-won lessons from that formative experience which shaped her calling to share the transformative power of Antarctica’s extremes.

Learn how Robyn  built a company enabling scientific projects and founded on sustainable principles out of a naïve start buying seats on a cargo plane. She explains the extraordinary logistics and meticulous planning required to deliver gourmet meals and renewable comforts to one of the planet’s most remote wildernesses.

Robyn  also discusses the profound emotional shifts Antarctica fosters in adventurous spirits, from entrepreneurs to astronauts. Join us for an inspiring look at one explorer’s journey to ethically share the awe-inspiring beauty of the South Pole.

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Pioneering Luxury Camps in Remote Wildernesses with Luca Franco. TSHS-060

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In the world of adventure travel, there are individuals who have transformed their passion into a thriving business. One such trailblazer is Luca Franco, a true connoisseur of experiential travel, and the founder of Luxury Frontiers. In this episode, we will delve into Luca’s remarkable journey and the evolution of luxury travel. We will also explore the importance of sustainability in this industry, the challenges and opportunities it presents, and the strategic partnerships that have propelled Luxury Frontiers to success.

The Birth of Luxury Frontiers: From Passion to Business

Luca Franco has been an adventurer at heart since childhood, always seeking unique and immersive experiences. However, it was the global economic crisis of 2008-2010 that triggered a shift in consumer behavior. People began valuing memories over material possessions, giving rise to the experiential travel trend. Luca noticed the success of experiential travel concepts in Africa and decided to bring these unique experiences to North America.

Initially met with skepticism, Luka persevered and embarked on a journey to establish Luxury Frontiers. The concept of luxury tented camps in remote wildernesses, a model already successful in Africa, was met with doubt in North America. However, ten years later, Luxury Frontiers has forged partnerships with some of the biggest players in the industry and stands as a pioneer in the luxury outdoor hospitality sector.

The Evolution of Luxury Travel: From Transformational to Sustainable

Over the last two decades, luxury travel has seen a significant shift in consumer behavior. Two key events, the 2008 economic crisis and the wake-up call of the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to transformational changes in the industry. Experiential travel, sustainable practices, regenerative tourism, and a growing focus on impact awareness have become central themes.

Travelers now seek not just to accumulate experiences but also to connect with the natural world, local communities, and host properties in a more empathetic way. Luka aptly describes this transition as “empathetic travel,” where travelers want to engage in more meaningful and sensitive ways during their journeys.

Sustainability as a Guiding Principle

Sustainability is a fundamental aspect of Luxury Frontiers. It is not just a marketing buzzword but a deeply ingrained principle. The company’s approach is based on biophilic design principles and mimicking nature, creating a harmonious relationship with the environment. They respect and collaborate with landowners, ensuring that their projects are not just sustainable but regenerative, giving back to nature and local communities.

Luka emphasizes the need to move beyond superficial “greenwashing” and adopt a holistic approach that addresses every aspect of a project, from sourcing materials to food production. Nature, which has sustained itself for billions of years, holds valuable lessons for how we can ensure our practices are truly sustainable.

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What Matters for Hotel Brands: Culture vs Strategy. TSHS- 059

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In the competitive world of hotel brands, what truly matters – culture or strategy?

Join us in this thought-provoking video as we delve into the importance of culture and strategy for hotel brands and discuss which one truly reigns supreme.

Culture, often referred to as the heart and soul of a hotel brand, plays a vital role in shaping the guest experience. It encompasses the values, beliefs, and behaviors that define the brand’s identity and create a unique atmosphere. We explore the significance of being the guardian of the culture and the impact it has on delivering promises to both colleagues and guests.

On the other hand, strategy plays a crucial role in guiding the direction and goals of a hotel brand. It involves making calculated decisions about distribution systems, loyalty programs, and brand positioning.

We discuss the strategies employed by top hotel brands such as Marriott, Hilton, and Accor and how they adapt to the evolving hospitality landscape. Through engaging anecdotes, we illustrate the changing dynamics of the workforce, with a focus on the needs and expectations of the young generation.

Discover how the new generation of colleagues and customers are reshaping the industry and how hotel brands must adapt to stay relevant. We also shed light on the evolving landscape of the hotel industry, where lesser-known hotels are emerging as top contenders, surpassing traditional luxury brands.

Through real-life examples, we highlight the power of creating a truly special experience that transcends brand recognition. So, if you’re curious about what truly matters for hotel brands – culture or strategy – this video is a must-watch.

Gain insights from industry experts and gain a deeper understanding of the elements that contribute to a successful hotel brand.

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What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Influencer Marketing in Hospitality – Discussion with Sarah Saffari, Founder of InfluencerNexus. TSHS-058

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What are the Do’s and Don’ts of Influencer Marketing in Hospitality

In this episode with my terrific guest Sarah Saffari, Founder of InfluencerNexus we dive into the Do’s and Don’ts of Influencer Marketing.

Sarah shares a goldmine of ideas! Implementing these strategies thoughtfully can significantly impact your hotel’s success.

We will cover the following topics:

* The role of influencer marketing in the overall marketing strategy.

* What is the danger of having a  ¨me too¨ approach and in isolation hiring an influencer to boost the visibility of the hotel?

* What is the difference between micro, nano, and celebrity influencers, and what do they mean?

* What are the benefits of using say micro and nano influencers vs celebrity influencers.  Someone may think that spending marketing funds on a celebrity influencer is the ¨road to salvation¨.

* Many hotels tend to opt for having someone work on influencer marketing internally rather than hiring an influencer agency. What are the benefits of hiring an influencer agency?

* How does Influencer Agencies work?

* How to measure the effectiveness of a campaign and the influencer’s impact on the brand?

* Influencer fraud, the too-good-to-be-true influencers promising the world.  How exactly can you find fraudulent influencers and prevent them from hurting your hospitality campaigns?

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