Hospitality & Tourism

💥 Tourism’s Breaking Point: A Wake‑Up Call for Hotels 💥 Yesterday, cities across Southern Europe hit a boiling point. From Barcelona to Lisbon, Venice to Palma de Mallorca, residents took to the streets with water pistols, banners, and smoke bombs — a dramatic cry for help. The target? A tourism model that no longer works. ⸻ This isn’t about hating tourists. It’s about resisting a system that floods cities, chokes infrastructure, prices out locals — and burns out hospitality professionals in the process. 📈 Exploding volumes: Spain welcomed 94 million international visitors in 2024, aiming for 100 million this year. 🏘️ Housing crisis: Barcelona rents are up 68% in a decade. The city will ban all short-term rentals by 2028. 🏨 Hotel pressure: In EU urban centers, hotels represent 63–80% of overnight stays — and now face growing backlash alongside platforms like Airbnb. ⸻ 🔍 Why this matters for hotels: 1. Local frustration is real — and increasingly visible. 2. We’re no longer outside the conversation. We are the conversation. 3. Solutions are demanded—and fast: • smarter tourism management • yield-over-occupancy strategies • deeper local integration 4. This is a leadership moment. Support policies that serve both your hotel and the community that surrounds it. ⸻ As hoteliers, we must ask ourselves: • Are we growing demand or managing it? • Are we delivering value or fueling volume? • Are we building a long-term ecosystem, or just chasing short-term gains? ⸻ Across the continent, cities are responding: 🔒 Airbnb bans (Barcelona) 💸 Visitor fees (Venice, Trevi Fountain) 🚫 Overnight stay caps (Lofoten, Portofino) 📈 Tourist tax hikes (Balearics, Italy, Norway) It’s time we stop blaming OTAs and cruise ships and start stepping into the solution: ✅ Better yield, not just occupancy ✅ More local integration, less commodification ✅ Smarter pricing, smarter planning ⸻ 👉 Call to action: We can no longer afford to be passive players. This is about stewardship, community investment, and responsible growth. Let’s lead the shift toward measured hospitality — before the backlash defines us instead. #Hoteliers #Overtourism #HospitalityLeadership #UrbanTourism #SustainableTravel #HotelStrategy #RevenueManagement #TravelTrends #Barcelona #Venice #Lisbon #MeasuredHospitality #RegenerativeTourism

Shimla saw 300,000 vehicles in two weeks. 15,000 vehicles per day. Total parking capacity: 6,000. This isn't chaos. This is what happens when 300 million Indians can suddenly afford weekend trips. The infrastructure math is brutal. 2.5x more cars than parking spots. A 30-minute drive now takes 2+ hours. Manali sees 25,000 vehicles daily with the same capacity crunch. Every hill station faces this. Demand exploded, supply didn't. But here's what's interesting. The first destinations to solve this will own India's ₹2.5 lakh crore tourism market. Shimla is building 1,500 new parking spaces with shuttle systems. Multi-storey lots with integrated waste management. Smart traffic systems spreading visitors across multiple entry points. The solution isn't fewer tourists. It's better infrastructure and smarter load distribution. Build infrastructure that protects local culture and environment. Enforce strict rules. Make tourists respect the ecosystem and keep places clean. Circuit tourism connecting nearby villages. Off-season pricing. Alternative destinations within driving distance. Most tourists are having miserable experiences right now. Long jams, no parking, frustrated families. Fix the bottleneck, capture the growth. This is infrastructure-led development done right. Build capacity, preserve the experience, win the market. #tourism

Do you also feel your roadmap planning is a counterproductive waste of time? Change that to a productive exercise that will set your success 12 months ahead with the following 10 pieces of advice: 1) Start too early The earlier you start, the more time you have to align with stakeholders and refine priorities. October might feel early, but having a draft ready before the year ends allows for feedback and stressless adjustments. 2) Clarify goals and strategy A roadmap without a clear purpose is just a wish list. Tie it to business goals, customer needs, and your overarching strategy. This gives your roadmap direction and credibility. 3) Allow everyone to chip in Your roadmap will be stronger if it includes diverse perspectives. Devs will ask for essential technical investments, sales understand customer pain points, and support hears complaints daily. Use their input to ensure your roadmap addresses real needs. 4) Double-check with legal Don't overlook this! Legal compliance can make or break your plans, especially in industries like fintech, healthcare, or data-heavy products. A quick legal review now can save you from costly setbacks later. 5) Organize a brainstorming workshop Bring stakeholders together for a focused brainstorming session. Use sticky notes, whiteboards, or virtual tools to encourage creativity. Workshops help uncover ideas you might not have considered and build alignment early. 6) Put an effort estimate on the most promising items Prioritization isn't just about impact; effort matters too. Collaborate with your devs to estimate the time and resources needed for each initiative. This helps balance quick wins with high-impact projects and helps choose the actual roadmap items during prioritization. 7) Ask your designer to put some quick visuals for the selected initiatives A picture is worth a thousand words. Having simple visuals for key roadmap items can help stakeholders grasp the vision faster and ensure everyone is aligned on what success looks like. 8) Organize work by quarters, not months, and especially not sprints Quarterly planning gives enough flexibility to adapt while still maintaining structure. Monthly plans can feel too rigid, and sprint-level roadmaps are operational, not strategic. Keep your roadmap focused on the big picture. 9) Leave room to breathe Don't overload the roadmap. Unexpected challenges will arise, and new opportunities will pop up. Leaving 20-30% of capacity unplanned ensures you can adapt without derailing the entire roadmap. 10) Be careful with your comms Communicate clearly that the roadmap is a direction, not a commitment. You’re agile, not waterfall. Keep flexibility baked into your messaging to avoid frustration later. So, does your roadmap planning feel like it produces something meaningful? Let me know in the comments! #productmanagement #productmanager #roadmap P.S. If you liked this read, be sure to catch more with my free newsletter. Subscribe at: www. drbartpm. com :)

Just caught up on Skift's State of Travel 2025 over my Monday morning coffee. There are so many great details packed inside, but the one that caught my attention: the transition to an experience-driven economy isn't coming, it's here. The data shows travelers are flipping the traditional purchase journey on its head. They're picking experiences first, then building their trips around them. Why? Substance > status. About one-third across key markets now prioritize meaningful experiences over high-end comforts, and prefer spending on unique activities over premium accommodations. Referencing our own Travel Experiences Trend Tracker, the report notes that experiences and activities are a key driver for extending stays in a destination, with 27% citing activities, beating accommodation (9%), weather (8%), and budget (14%) . But think about the ripple effect: Better experiences → longer stays → more overnights → more restaurant visits → higher destination spend. Experiences are driving the entire trip economy. All in all, the data confirms what we've believed for years: authentic, immersive experiences aren't just nice-to-have add-ons. They're the core of why we travel. Great work by Seth Borko and the team! Link: https://lnkd.in/d8MuwbGg

Every great startup begins with one bold decision. For Nitin Saluja, that moment came when he left a high-paying corporate job in the US to chase his passion—chai. In 2012, he launched Chaayos in Gurgaon with a simple yet powerful vision: to revolutionize India’s tea experience. As a founder, he wasn’t just leading—he was doing everything. From taking orders to cleaning tables, working 15-hour shifts, and personally serving customers, he immersed himself in the business. Why? Because understanding the smallest details gave him an edge. This hands-on approach helped refine Chaayos' offerings, ensuring that each cup of chai matched customer expectations. --- 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟐: 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 – 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐚 𝐂𝐚𝐟𝐞́ 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 Passion alone doesn’t build an empire—execution does. As someone who has helped multiple founders scale, I’ve seen three key factors that differentiate those who struggle from those who succeed: ✅ Product Differentiation – Instead of generic tea, they introduced 25 flavors with 12,000 customizations. ✅ Customer-Centric Innovation – Quick service, fresh ingredients, and a tech-driven chai experience set them apart. ✅ Strategic Expansion – Many founders chase growth too fast, but Chaayos scaled steadily, growing to 200+ stores across India. Some outlets now make ₹1 crore+ annually. --- 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟑: 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 One of the biggest mistakes I see founders make is thinking funding is the goal. In reality, it’s a tool for strategic scaling. Chaayos didn’t raise funds until they had a proven product-market fit and a strong revenue model. That’s why Tiger Global invested ₹40 crore, fueling their expansion. But funding alone doesn’t guarantee sustainability—consistent execution does. They’ve extended their reach through online packaged teas, ensuring customers get their favorite brew at home in under 15 minutes. --- 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐞 🚀 💡 Master the fundamentals – A strong foundation makes scaling easier. 💡 Find your differentiation – Why should customers (and investors) choose you? 💡 Raise smart, not fast – Funding should accelerate growth, not fix broken models. I’ve worked with founders at every stage—from early struggles to scaling past ₹100 crore in revenue. If you’re navigating funding, growth strategy, or expansion challenges, let’s connect. 🔥 What’s the biggest roadblock in your startup journey right now? #StartupScaling #BusinessGrowth #EntrepreneurMindset

How Sustainability Drives Business Value 🌎 Sustainability is increasingly recognized as a strategic driver of business success, influencing financial performance, operational efficiency, and competitive positioning. Companies that integrate sustainability into their core strategies not only mitigate risks but also unlock new revenue streams and enhance long-term resilience. Beyond regulatory compliance, sustainability initiatives create tangible business advantages, ranging from cost reduction to brand differentiation. A well-executed sustainability strategy contributes to price premiums, as consumers demonstrate a growing willingness to pay more for products and services that align with environmental and social values. This shift in consumer behavior presents an opportunity for businesses to capture additional market share and strengthen customer loyalty. Sustainability-led innovation, particularly in product design and supply chain management, further enhances brand equity and perceived value. Cost efficiency is another critical factor, as sustainable sourcing, circular economy models, and energy efficiency initiatives lower long-term operational expenses. Companies that adopt resource optimization strategies reduce dependency on volatile raw material markets, ensuring greater financial stability. By implementing energy-efficient processes and sustainable logistics, businesses can achieve cost reductions while meeting stakeholder expectations on environmental responsibility. Regulatory compliance and risk management play a central role in driving sustainability adoption. With increasing scrutiny from policymakers and investors, proactive sustainability efforts help companies navigate complex regulatory landscapes while reducing legal and financial exposure. Aligning with emerging disclosure frameworks, such as ISSB and CSRD, ensures greater transparency and enhances investor confidence, further supporting long-term financial performance. Sustainability also strengthens customer retention and market expansion by differentiating brands in competitive industries. Companies that align with sustainability expectations not only enhance their reputation but also attract new business opportunities. #sustainability #sustainable #business #esg #climatechange #ROI

I independently planned my first solo international trip to Thailand and realized – Solo traveling is not as daunting as I assumed it to be. (Please note, I’m not a seasoned pro – this was my first time too.) Deciding to travel solo, especially as a woman, felt both thrilling & terrifying. Safety, comfort, and planning were all top of mind. But with the right strategy, I turned my anxiety into an unforgettable experience. Here’s how I did it and how you can too: 📌 STAY: → I chose hotels with ratings above 8/10 (verified through online reviews and social media). → Being a vegetarian, I checked for breakfast options that fit my diet. → I prioritized proximity. My hotel was near major locations, in well-lit, bustling areas safe for women. → I splurged on a 4-star hotel to ensure extra safety and peace of mind rather than going with a hostel or a dorm room. 📌 TRAVEL ITINERARY: → ChatGPT, social media (YouTube, Instagram) and advice from friends who’d been there helped me map out my trip with minute details. → Bangkok’s BTS local trains were my go-to – affordable, fast, and scam-free. → I skipped taxis and tuk-tuks to avoid haggling or potential scams. 📌 FOOD: → Apps like Google Maps and HappyCow made locating veg-friendly spots easier. → Finding good vegetarian options was a workout – I clocked 20k steps daily to get to those restaurants! → Drinking water isn’t free in malls, so I relied on bottled water from 7-Eleven. Solo travel might seem intimidating at first, but it’s all about preparation. Plan smart in advance, prioritize safety, and embrace the adventure. Trust me – If I could do it, so can you! Got questions?  Ask away in the comments!  What’s that one thing holding you back from your first solo trip? #drishtiispeaks #solotrip #Thailand #travel #female

Stop apologising that your response to an Email might be delayed...because you had the temerity to take a tranche of personal time 😕 So how do you set boundaries between work and life commitments in our always-on, instant-reply world? 🤳 Although a lot of the relentless demands on our mental space come from technology, it can also be the antidote if we configure it correctly ⚙ By setting boundaries, we can ensure we have the time and space to recharge and engage in activities that bring joy and fulfillment, leading to increased productivity and overall well-being 💪 My default meeting settings are 25 and 50 mins (and have a reminder flash-up when there are 5 mins left); this gives me the opportunity for a short "unplug" between sessions to walk around, use the bathroom, get a drink etc. ☕ You can set your collaboration apps to only notify you on the computer if you are active there, so you don't have the stimulus of your laptop going "bing" and your phone "ting" simultaneously with every arriving message 📵 I was always grateful for my team letting me know where they were; if they were due in the office but couldn't come in as they had a water leak at home, then just give me a heads-up: life happens 👌 Ultimately, we need to stop feeling guilty when we're not working - even if you're an entrepreneur, if you live to only work you're doing it wrong ❌ One of the smartest people I know says that what is urgent for someone else (such as a customer) does not necessarily directly translate to that same thing also being urgent for ourselves; it's a powerful premise 🎯 How about blending work and life commitments when you travel? 🛫 As much as I find the terms "bleisure" and "workcationing" borderline hateful, the concepts are sound 👇 Bleisure - a portmanteau of business and leisure - is the concept of tacking a bit of sightseeing or a few cheeky days of downtime onto the back of a work trip to a given location; winner 🏆 Workcation is to travel somewhere on holiday and graft a bit from there during (which for some brings its own peace), allowing you to mix remote work with play; this is perfect for someone who runs their own business 🥇 There doesn't need to be that hard bifurcation between work time and personal life - but the flexibility needs to go both ways; if it's too skewed in one direction that's not balanced ⚖ Meditation doesn't work for me, but I do respect the famous Zen quote "Wherever you go, there you are" - a reminder of how powerful taking 30 seconds to close your eyes and focus on peacefully breathing can be 👃 So give yourself a break - in every sense; work hard and deliver against your commitments with focus, but also allow for some flexibility. Know when you need to properly switch-off from work mode, and take time for yourself ⏳ What have I missed? How do you set practical boundaries between work and life commitments - let me know in the comments below please ✍ #future #innovation #strategy #technology #digital

Have you ever wanted to visit a villa only because you saw it online? A few years ago, hotel influencer marketing was like offering free stays, clicking some pretty pictures and then hoping for bookings. It worked but now it doesn’t.  Brands started realizing that high follower counts didn’t always mean high-impact partnerships. Lavish hotel stays were being shown to audiences who admired the content but never actually booked a room. The engagement was there, but conversions were not so much.  Today, hotels are far more selective about who they work with. They are asking “Can you drive real business results?” This shift is about surviving in a digital space where consumers have become immune to staged perfection. Travelers trust real experiences over aesthetics. Some brands have cracked the code. Airbnb India works with travelers who genuinely experience and show local culture, making their stays aspirational yet accessible. So, if your influencer marketing strategy is still stuck in 2018, it’s time to ask, are you creating buzz, or are you driving business? #influencermarketing #hospitality

Is (DB)KL prioritising tourism over residency? If you've walked around the KL city centre lately, you've noticed the rapid rise of tall towers. A closer look at these buildings reveals they aren't built for a local residential market, but for short-term rentals (STRs)—or, as we know it, Airbnbs. I've mapped properties in the KL Golden Triangle and found that STR-dedicated properties far outnumber residential properties. As it is, residential properties, whether for rent or purchase, are already expensive for the average Malaysian. As someone who walks around the city centre frequently, you see how this shift, led by developers and the city council, has changed street-level life that is catered for tourism consumption as opposed to community life. Since the 2010s, there has been a marked shift in the property market, with developers increasingly keen to develop "residential" properties for the STR market. You see this in the higher price per square foot ratio (despite smaller unit sizes), the active building on commercial land, and the sharpened focus on facilities and skyline views. All this is also enabled by the property market, which has encouraged property investment rather than homeownership. The long-term consequences of government enabling developers to build properties for investors, not Malaysian homeowners, is the eventual 'hollowing out' of the city centre, where on-street life is defined by transience and tourism, not Malaysian life and community. #kualalumpur #datastorytelling #propertymarket #propertydevelopment #urbaninequality #gis #mapping #urbanplanning #urbananalysis