Hoteliers’ Voice

As the hospitality sector adapts to changing economic realities, hoteliers are weighing the long-term impact of local tourist taxes against the evolving demands of domestic travelers. In this episode, we unpack the risk of tourist level while capturing value in the modern staycation market. Hoteliers in South Yorkshire share their views.
We begin with an interview with Dan Wilson, Regional GM at Vine Hotels, who breaks down the staycation outlook for 2026, the challenge of maintaining profitability amidst rising operational costs, the imperative of nurturing hospitality careers, and his perspective on local holiday taxes.
Building on these operational realities, Paul Wells from Studio Moren delivers a sponsor session on "Staycation Nation – Repositioning Your Value," exploring what makes an experience-led destination, how curating unique guest journeys can extend length of stay to drive revenue, and how hoteliers can unlock their most overlooked physical assets.
Shifting to regional growth, Emma France from Marketing Sheffield shares key destination data, the campaigns driving new visitor traffic, the city's unique selling points, and how local hoteliers can directly tap into DMO initiatives to boost business.
Finally, the episode wraps up with an energetic breakout discussion featuring hoteliers sharing their candid, unfiltered views on the true impact of the tourist tax across the industry

In this episode, we unpack real-world examples of hotels taking direct action. Discover how Redworth Hall Hotel & Spa generates 86% of its electricity on-site through combined heat and power while using wood pellets for hot water. We also dive into voco Sheffield’s story, where a £50,000 monthly electricity bill prompted an energy assessment that caught excessive water flow rates, putting them on track to save nearly £400,000 next year simply by optimizing facility operations.
With margins under pressure across the industry, hoteliers are proving that reducing environmental impact and boosting the bottom line are often two sides of the same coin.
Tune in as we discuss why cutting emissions starts with identifying operational waste, how upfront investments pay off, and why profitability and sustainability no longer need to be competing priorities.

In this episode, we sit down with Pete Hurley, founder of Well-Seasoned, to dive deep into the changing landscape of recruitment in the hospitality industry.

Traditional hiring methods aren't always enough to keep up with dynamic operational demands. Pete shares key insights on how hotel leaders can identify the exact skills and expertise needed to hit their strategic goals - and why it’s time to look beyond standard full-time positions for key strategic roles that may not justify the time

We explore how leveraging consultants, fractionals, and freelance professionals can give forward-thinking hospitality businesses the agility they need to thrive.

In this episode, we sit down with Richard Morris, founder of Hospitality Staffing UK, who brings over two decades of recruitment experience in the hotel and stadia sectors.

With the hospitality landscape undergoing significant changes, standard hiring methods are under pressure. Richard dives into what it really takes to build a successful career in hospitality, the unvarnished realities of job relocations, and why premature overpromotions can backfire on both hoteliers and the properties they manage. He also shares why recruiters themselves are feeling the strain in today's market and offers practical ways hotels can rethink their approach to hiring top-tier management, sales, and revenue talent.

Is hospitality just a stepping stone, or can it be a lifelong, fulfilling career?
In this episode, we sit down with Marsela Loulai, Hotel Manager at Mercure Kenwood Hall Hotel & Spa, for an insightful, practical conversation on the future of talent in the hospitality industry. Drawing from her personal career journey—spanning past milestones, current leadership challenges, and future ambitions—Marsela shares her direct experience with modern people management and hiring in today's competitive landscape.
Together, we explore how leaders can rewrite the industry narrative to transform hospitality from a temporary stint into a rewarding, long-term profession. Plus, Marsela gives us an insider’s look at Kenwood Hall—a historic 4-star country house hotel set in 12 acres of tranquil parkland near Sheffield city centre. She breaks down their target guest profile, marketing focus, tailored event packages, and the distinct advantages of combining boutique charm with the global reach of the Mercure brand.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
Career Trajectory: Marsela’s personal journey and how early experiences shaped her modern leadership style.
The Hiring Reality: Honest insights into modern recruitment, retention, and managing diverse teams in today’s market.
From Job to Career: Actionable strategies for hospitality leaders to foster long-term career growth and employee loyalty.
Behind the Scenes at Kenwood Hall: Understanding their target guests, custom event offerings, and marketing focus.
The Brand Advantage: Balancing the local character of a Sheffield landmark with the global strength and support of Mercure.