Josiah Mackenzie - 10 Minutes News for Hoteliers - Page 13

1 min

From Forts to Function: The Innovation Kids Love That Drives Repeat Stays – Saar Shai

🏨 Saar Shai, co-founder of Wanderland, introduces "Screener," a modular, themed room divider for hotels, inspired by observing his children on vacation. This innovation addresses the lack of connecting rooms and enhances the family stay experience, thereby boosting guest loyalty. Saar emphasizes the importance of partnerships with creative hoteliers and advocates for starting small to achieve significant wins in hotel operations.

1 min

The Lantern Hotel: Pioneering Inclusive Employment in Hospitality – David Tart, Raines

🏨 David Tart, Managing Partner at Raines, discusses The Lantern Hotel, transforming an old fire station in Columbia, South Carolina, into a hotel. The project creates inclusive employment opportunities by empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities. Hospitality leaders can learn about the impact of intentional employment practices on communities and the industry.

11 min

Risk, Reward, and Relationships: David Tart’s Proven Playbook for Hospitality Success

🏨 David Tart leveraged his family's North Carolina farmland to develop a Hampton Inn, learning the ropes of hospitality through relationships and risk-taking. Despite lacking prior experience, he acquired a franchise before 2008, benefiting from mentors like David Swinter and Dwayne Parrish. Now with Raines, David manages a diverse hotel portfolio, emphasizing relationship-building. The initial venture into management with Grey Raines, transformed into a company with nearly 3,000 employees, focused on sustainable, relationship-driven growth.

1 min

Winning Without OTAs: How Unplugged Achieves 100% Direct Bookings by Creating a Brand Guests Love – Hector Hughes

📰 Danica Smith interviews Hector Hughes, co-founder of Unplugged, about achieving 100% direct bookings and nearly full occupancy year-round without OTAs. Unplugged's success comes from organic growth and strategic marketing using social media. By building a movement, not just a brand, Unplugged has transformed its business model. Hospitality leaders can learn from their approach to boost direct demand and authenticity.

1 min

Digital Detox Done Differently: How Hector Hughes Built Unplugged into a Hospitality Phenomenon

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1 min

How Chris Gilbert is Humanizing Government Through the Power of Hospitality

📱 Chris Gilbert, CEO of Springfield Township, Hamilton County, Ohio, and founder of Municipal Hospitality Advisors, is transforming local government with hospitality principles. By shifting civic leadership from transactional to meaningful interactions, he builds a people-focused culture. This approach humanizes leadership, enhances collaboration, and fosters trust. Learn how hospitality can reshape organizational dynamics and improve public service trust and effectiveness.

1 min

Inside Zara’s “Travel Mode”: A Blueprint for Hospitality Innovation – Danica Smith

📰 Danica Smith, founder of MorningStar GX, discusses Zara's "Travel Mode" initiative in Hospitality Daily. The episode explores how hospitality can learn from retail innovation, focusing on creative cross-industry collaborations. Key topics include sustainability, brand alignment, and retail's future role in hospitality. Danica emphasizes the importance of these strategies for enhancing guest experiences.

8 min

Inside The Mind of Today’s Traveler: How to Excel in Guest Experience in a New Era of Hospitality – Danica Smith

📍 In July 2025, Danica and Josiah discuss the evolving landscape of hospitality on the podcast "Hospitality Daily." Danica, with 15 years of industry experience, co-hosts and shares insights on guest experience trends. MorningStar GX, her consultancy, launched almost a year ago, focuses on enhancing guest experiences. Key insights include rising personalization, with 21% loyalty boost through personal data use and 79% of travelers seeking skill-based trips. The four pillars of guest experience: personal, purposeful, playful, and participatory, are crucial for modern hospitality success.

7 min

Building a Workplace People Love: Inside Pacifica Hotels’ Playbook for Reducing Turnover – Scott Roby, Pacifica Hotels

📈 Pacifica Hotels’ President, Scott Roby, emphasizes enhancing workplace culture to reduce turnover and elevate performance. At a March retreat at Lake Arrowhead, leaders personalized experiences for employees to model guest interactions. The hospitality sector faces high turnover, with quits twice the national average and 84% of new job openings. Pacifica, named by the Orange County Business Journal as a top workplace, focuses on team engagement, open communication, and strategic change management for stability and growth.

13 min

How Pacifica Hotels Is Boosting Profitability by Cutting Costs, Not Corners – Scott Roby, Pacifica Hotels

💸 Scott Roby, president of Pacifica Hotels, aims to enhance hotel efficiency despite challenges like rising costs and muted revenue growth of -1% to 2.5%. With nearly 30 hotels, primarily in California, Pacifica focuses on owner-operator alignment and tech-driven efficiencies. Labor costs are a concern, with Los Angeles considering a $30/hour minimum wage by 2028. Recent strategies have cut property insurance by 25%, and Pacifica's tech overhaul saved $1 million. Roby emphasizes domestic travel and unique guest experiences.

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