Martin Green - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers

33 min

The Insider Podcast – Episode 8: Hala Matar Choufany

💰 Hala Matar Choufany discusses the UAE's luxury hospitality growth, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From 2000 to today, hotel rooms increased from 600 to 160,000. Dubai's market enjoys 80% occupancy, with notable recovery post-Covid. Abu Dhabi is developing its cultural tourism, while Ras al-Khaimah will open the Wynn Casino in 2027-2028. Revenue per available square meter is emphasized for efficiency. Ownership structures limit asset trading, affecting the UAE's hotel investment market.

54 min

The Insider Podcast – Episode 7: Bashar Wali

📄 Bashar Wali discusses hospitality's core value—creating a sense of belonging—with a focus on emotional intelligence. He emphasizes that hospitality isn't about design or branding but human connection. Notable points include Marriott's 38 brands illustrating market saturation and the role of emotional intelligence tests in hiring. He highlights the potential of independent hotel brands to be acquired by major players, and the entry of luxury brands like LVMH into hospitality.

31 min

The Insider Podcast – Episode 6: Martine Gerow

📅 In July 2023, Martine Gerow became Accor's Group CFO, joining during a pivotal reorganization that started in January. Accor's revenue model has shifted, with 40% now from Europe and a third from luxury. The group plans to add 100 hotels in 2023 and 50 annually thereafter, driven by strategic acquisitions like Potel et Chabot and Rikas. Accor focuses on luxury, lifestyle, and regional growth, while maintaining a culture of entrepreneurship and autonomy among its 300,000 employees.

32 min

The Insider Podcast – Episode 5: Helen Brocklebank

💸 Helen Brocklebank discusses the British luxury industry's impact, worth £81 billion to the UK economy, and its 11% annual growth. Walpole, with 250+ member brands, acts as a collective voice. British luxury exports 67% of its production, contributing £56 billion. Nearly 500,000 UK jobs depend on this sector. The Brands of Tomorrow initiative supports 12 new luxury brands yearly. The US accounts for 22% of British luxury exports. Walpole's trade missions to New York help smaller brands enter the US market.

3 min

Bashar Wali: confessions of a hotel addict – exclusive Insider Podcast preview

🏨 Bashar Wali, a hospitality industry leader with a six-figure LinkedIn following, is the Founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and lifestyle brand Another, based in Portland, USA. He discusses creating "cult" followings for brands, emphasizing belonging, safety, and human connection as keys to success. Wali argues that successful brands, like Apple, resonate with people on a deeper level, forming tribes without a checklist. Listen to his insights in the upcoming Insider Podcast episode!

4 min

The power of education: how learning transformed the life of Dr. Antonina Santalova

📚 Antonina Santalova grew up in post-Soviet Kyrgyzstan during the 1990s, a period marked by economic decline. Fluent in English due to her education, she won the Republican Olympiad, securing free university education. She earned degrees in Linguistics, Economics, and later worked for the Ministry of Education. Her roles included Education Development Officer, contributing to fundamental educational reforms backed by the Asian Development Bank. Her journey led her to become Glion’s Academic Dean.

6 min

Destination Dubai: The Insider joins Marriott’s Michel Nader to track the unstoppable rise of a tourism powerhouse

🌏 Michel, an industry veteran with 15 years in Dubai, highlights a pivotal shift in tourism with summer occupancy at 80% annually, thanks to new attractions. Dubai’s innovative initiatives include “THE LOOP,” a 93km climate-controlled path. Marriott's expansion includes the successful Bulgari Resort and a new Moxy Hotel. The region's hospitality thrives on a diverse talent pool, drawing workers from Europe, Asia, and Latin America, supported by a robust training focus on soft skills, vital for exceptional service.

5 min

Reach for the stars: Glion graduate trades hospitality for Hollywood!

📷 Philippe, a Glion graduate, began his career at St. Regis Hotel in New York before working for Four Seasons and Salomon Brothers. He transitioned from hotels to wedding photography in 2000, creating one of California's top agencies. By 2025, he starred in a Netflix series and pursued acting and modeling. Philippe also launched a design firm and patented a fitness machine. At 61, he continues to embrace new challenges, emphasizing adaptability, health, and following one's passion.

4 min

In the swim: alumna Cassandra dives into entrepreneurship with sustainable luxury swimwear brand AQVA

👘 2023, Cassandra launched the AQVA Swimwear brand with a focus on sustainability and craftsmanship. The collection, handmade in Barcelona, uses regenerated nylon from ocean waste. After overcoming challenges with seven manufacturers, the 2024 swimwear range debuted, sold directly and online. By 2025, AQVA expanded with pop-ups in New York, London, and the Balearic Islands, and retail in Barcelona and Madrid. Cassandra aims to broaden the brand into lifestyle products while maintaining its exclusive Mediterranean ethos.

2 min

French fancy: Glion graduate Paola shares the authentic flavors of Paris

🍴 Paola launched "Savor Paris with Paola" in early 2025, offering three-hour culinary tours in Paris, focusing on hidden gems in le Marais, Montmartre, and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. Despite being new, it has received positive reviews on Google, Facebook, and Tripadvisor. Paola's experience at Glion helped her develop hospitality skills. She plans to expand to Lyon, Bordeaux, Lille, and Brussels, but currently focuses on Paris, recommending Pamela Popo in le Marais and the dish blanquette de veau.

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