Hoteliers’ Voice

This Hoteliers' Voice podcast from the Stratford-Upon-Avon edition of the roundtable roadshow explores how independent hotels can become "future-ready" by embracing digital transformation. Celtic Collection discuss new technologies, cloud migration, and the role of digital strategy in achieving operational success.
Featuring:
Harpreet Saluja, owner of Kings Court Hotel shares his experience of taking over the property as we dive into determining investment priorities, building out a tech change and deciphering today’s market challenges
ORACLE, David Hayward, with a 20-year industry perspective, explores where the Independent hotel market is today, and how hotels can realise the value of new technologies and drive their digital transformation.
HOSPA, Amanda Brown, Head of Membership explains the benefits of being part of a UK industry membership organisation
Shakespeare’s England, Sian Smith provides quick low-down on regional travel and tourism marketing campaigns.
Focus on Hospitality, Alessandra Leoni explains underpinning all operations, revenue, commercial and guest experience - how to ensure the infrastructure and support delivers and remains consistent with tech moving fast and remaining future ready
Declan Bloomer, Head of Systems and Support, Celtic Collection shares his experience of digital transformation and how they went about it to identify the right people and right technology

What happened at Travelodge sent alarm bells ringing across the industry - how do we keep guests safe and provide clear protocols to all staff?
Keystep Solutions' Andrew Evans kicks off a discussion on Non-negotiable guest security on how hotels can ensure that their teams don’t put their guests at risk. At the Stratford-Upon-Avon roundtable - hoteliers share their thoughts and approach to managing safety of guests

A trip to find out what is on the minds of hoteliers when it comes to marketing - here I grab a few quick interviews with hoteliers and sponsors on what to be thinking about.
Featuring:
Chloe Parry from Carden Park - key marketing considerations
Harry Fielder, Hotel Marketing Association and UmiDigital - where tech plays a role
Daniel Ohandjanian, UpHotel Agency - integrations and expanding the product suite
Holly McCue, Net Affinity - grabbing the right guests
Des Mahoney, Book Assist - managing th booking flow
Matt Willacy, Forsight - guest communications and engagement
Dan Assor, No Vacancy London - marketing events

The front desk at Kenilworth was handling a high volume of guest requests that had nothing to do with hospitality. The cost was not just operational, it was cultural. Staff felt like a switchboard, not a team.

Joined by Nick Rubin Chief Strategy Officer at BGAM Hospitality and Daniel Ojeme Co-founder, CEO and CTO of Eccobell Limited, in this episode we look at
How to recognise pain points in team morale
Identifying hospitality vs administrative tasks
Utilising tech to support hotel teams
Providing better services to guests

Belle went live at Kenilworth in August 2025 via QR codes placed in every guest room, stuck to the wall in a prominent position. Guests scan the code with their mobile phone, which opens the Eccobell web app directly in their browser. Belle lives on that web app.

LIVE from Everyman Cinema Broadgate, HOSPA in partnership with Next Wave Hospitality. This panel session sponsored by Focus on Hospitality explores how AI has dominated hospitality conversations over the last 18 months. This session cuts through the hype and focuses on what actually drives performance.
What are the real blockers inside hotels today?
What foundations need to be in place before innovation can deliver value?
How do operators make smarter investment decisions that improve guest experience, support teams, and create commercial return?

Because high-performing hotels are rarely powered by the newest tool. They are powered by getting the basics right, then scaling intelligently. This session brings together operators and industry experts to explore the end-to-end hotel journey, from design and infrastructure through to guest experience, revenue performance, and post-stay feedback and loyalty.
Speakers:
Arik Fletcher, Fraction vCTO, Focus Group
Kevin Edwards, CEO, Hospitality Technology Advisory
Gavin A., VP of Information Technology & Innovation, Yotel
Samuel Actford, Group IT Manager, Exclusive Collection