The journey from child gardener to international landscape architect. TSHS-0090

The journey from child gardener to international landscape architect.

In this episode, landscape architect Matthieu Mehuys shares his journey from growing up on a farm to creating sustainable biodiverse gardens around the world.

He emphasizes the importance of understanding how nature works and working with it to create beautiful and eco-friendly landscapes.

Mehuys discusses the impact of traditional hotel construction methods on the natural landscape and the need for a more sustainable approach. He also highlights the value of landscape architecture in creating a unique arrival experience for hotel guests. Mehuys addresses misconceptions about landscape architecture and emphasizes the financial and experiential benefits it can bring to a project. He shares his vision of creating spaces that combine hospitality, food production, and community building. Landscape architecture in the hospitality industry has a crucial role in creating visually appealing landscapes while prioritizing ecological and environmental sustainability. It is an opportunity for hotels to implement regenerative practices and enhance the guest experience. The connection between nature and human well-being is essential, and landscape architecture can contribute to the mental and physical well-being of guests. Spending time in nature has a positive impact on relaxation and joy. Landscape architecture can also play a role in improving gut and brain health. The future of landscape architecture in the hospitality industry lies in designing for flexibility and adaptability, allowing for potential land use changes. This can be achieved by incorporating elements like tiny houses and creating spaces that cater to both short-term and long-term stays. The trend is to provide diverse experiences for guests and to integrate functionalities like cafes and community spaces within hotels.

🔴 Rules for the Podcast Review Book Prize Draw

1. **Eligibility**: – Participants must write a review of ¨Dispelling Misconceptions About Landscape Architecture The Impact of Nature on Guest¨ episode of the podcast. – The review must be at least 50 words long and relevant to the episode’s content. – Only one review per participant is eligible for the draw.

2. **Submission**: – Reviews must be submitted by 31 August 2024. – Participants must submit their reviews via the comment section in Apple Podcast. – Each review must include the participant’s name and contact information.

3. **Prize Draw**: – All eligible reviews will be entered into a random draw. – One winner will be randomly selected from the pool of eligible reviews. – The draw will take place on 03 September 2024. – The winner will be contacted to provide the mailing address

4. **Prize**: – The winner will receive a copy of ¨12 Universal Laws of Nature¨ by Matthieu Mehuys. – The winner will be notified via email, within 7 days after the draw.

5. **General**: – The non-transferable prize cannot be exchanged for cash. – By participating, entrants agree to these rules and the decision of the organizer, which is final. – The organizer reserves the right to modify or cancel the draw if necessary.

Exploring Africa’s Diverse Charms: Insights on Travel, Sustainability, and Future Trends! TSHS-0075

Exploring Africa’s Diverse Charms: Insights on Travel, Sustainability, and Future Trends!

In a comprehensive dialogue,  Pirkka Tapiola, Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, Somalia, Eritrea, Seychelles, and Uganda,  delves into the interplay between Africa and Europe, framing it as a pivotal element in the travel experiences of European tourists. Throughout the discussion, he underscores Africa’s multifaceted nature, debunking the notion of it being a homogeneous entity. Notably, he explores the vibrant tapestry of African culture, emphasizing its richness and diversity. From the culinary delights of East Africa to the burgeoning fashion and arts scene in Nairobi, Ambassador Tapiola paints a vivid picture of the continent’s allure.

Central to his discourse is the imperative of sustainability in tourism, advocating for the preservation of Africa’s awe-inspiring natural landscapes and invaluable cultural heritage. Moreover, he provides invaluable insights into ensuring the safety of travelers amidst their explorations. Looking ahead, Ambassador Tapiola offers astute observations on the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry in Africa, identifying key future trends that are poised to shape the traveler experience in the region.

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

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.

Critical Questions in Hospitality explored with Celine Vadam. TSHS – 050

Critical Questions in Hospitality.
My guest in this episode is Celine Vadam, Co-founder of Hospitality of the Future Think Tank contributed with the team from the Hospitality of the Future Think Tank to Prof. Dr. Willy Legrand’s book¨Critical Questions in Sustainability and Hospitality.¨

We will discuss with Celine Vadam how to make better choices and prioritize a more holistic commitment to protecting the planet.

The Hotel of Tomorrow Project – with Ron Swidler, CIO, Gettys Group,TSHS -046

With passion for pioneering ideas and new approaches to hospitality experiences my guest Ron Swidler created the Hotel of Tomorrow Project an industry leading-leading think tank. I will discuss with Ron about his journey that has lead him to bring together hundreds of companies to envision the future of hospitality, which has resulted in innovation that can be found in hotels and restaurants throughout the world.
The concepts we cover in this episode is Robotic Reset, which is a reformable guest room that integrates automated, retractable and revealable furnishings and amenities as well as robot-delivered and removed elements to suit changing guest needs
We also covered a Sense & Satisfy Suite which is the ultimate hospitality personalization.

The changing landscape of the hotel industry!! TSHS-015

Hotel Talks is a monthly show co hosted with Abid Butt, a global leader in the hospitality industry. We discuss the burning topics that effect the global hospitality industry.
In this segment our topics are on the Macro level; Geopolitical Elements, Demographics, Safety Security.
We dig deep into Exponential Technology; Hyper Technology, Customer Journey and Service Delivery.

We touch on topics such as;
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Virtual Communities
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Sharing Economy
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Online Travel Agencies
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Digitised Guest Experiences
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Booming Global Tourism
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Demographics Gen Y & Z
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Experience Economy
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Sustainability