Hospitality & Tourism

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

The Ultimate Power Ranking: Online Booking Tools Across All Segments (Because travel today isn’t just one thing — and neither are the tools we use.) We always hear about the biggest leisure platforms. Or the trendiest unmanaged tools. But we rarely talk about the other half of the picture — the tools powering corporate programs, TMCs, expense policies, and enterprise scale. So I decided to bring both worlds together. Here’s my Top 10 ranking of the booking platforms shaping how the world travels in 2025 — across business, leisure, managed, unmanaged, and everything in between: 1. Booking Holdings – Hotels, homes, and now making serious moves in unmanaged business. 2. (TIE) Expedia Group & SAP Concur – One powers leisure and white-label platforms. The other is the system for enterprise travel. 4. Airbnb – The bleisure favorite. Loved by travelers, still tricky in managed environments. 5. Navan (TripActions) – A modern all-in-one stack. Travel, expense, and serious mid-market momentum. 6. Amex GBT / Egencia – The TMC machine. Global reach, trusted programs, and evolving fast. 7. Google Travel – The place where nearly every trip begins. 8. Trip.com Group – Huge in APAC, now scaling globally. Strong mobile DNA. 9. CWT – Still steady in the enterprise space. Less flashy, but solid. 10. Hopper – Fintech-powered and everywhere behind the scenes. Sneaky big. ⸻ How I ranked them: By looking at platform usage, industry influence, innovation, and how well they serve real-world travelers — across all segments. Data pulled from Phocuswright, Skift, Similarweb, and good old-fashioned market observation. Bottom line: The conversation about “top travel platforms” is too often limited to consumer clicks and vacation rentals. But corporate and managed travel moves millions — and those tools deserve a seat at the table. Who else would you add to the list? Who’s climbing in your world? #traveltech #onlinebooking #corporatetravel #bleisure #tmc #navan #bookingdotcom #spotnana #tripactions #distribution #futureoftravel

Forget assumptions about what a 'high-value visitor' looks like. The new part luxury, part basic traveler is a real contrast: - They might book a Contiki trip but with business-class flights. - Or want remote camping but arrive via helicopter. - Road-tripping in a campervan but dining at the best restaurants? - A off grid wellness retreat but with their own villa and private pool. These are some of the demands coming from "non millionaire travellers" who now account for more than a 1/3 of the luxury tourism market (Mckinsey: Now boarding: Faces, places, and trends shaping tourism in 2024). They're younger (under 40), aspirational, and are unlikely to own their own home. Ultimately, they’re redefining lux as value driven, experiential, and memorable (not just expensive). To keep up, tourism businesses can give options that try and meet the requirements of being both simple and aspirational. Partnerships (eg high end business with low price operator) would be a great way to ensure you can capture some of this growing market.

Brands lose their authenticity when they collaborate with influencers. Most brands today believe that influencer marketing has lost its effectiveness and it is no longer easy to win the trust of the audience. But in reality, influencer marketing is still not explored to its fullest by most brands. The only thing that brands need to be aware of is that it needs to be handled strategically if you want to make the most of it. This is how we at SocialTAG do it to make every campaign very effective: → We study influencers beyond their followers to ensure the brand values align and the content engages with the audience. It is important to analyse influencer credibility and audience demographics to avoid controversial or unethical content.  → Avoid influencers with fake followers or engagement bots. Check for low engagement rates or suspiciously high ones and irrelevant or generic comments. We aim for influencers with engagement rates between 2%–5% for authenticity.  → Have very clear boundaries to maintain consistency and professionalism. Include content guidelines, brand representation rules and legal protections to ensure consistency with the brief and potential mishaps in the future. → Regulations governing influencer marketing like disclosure requirements for sponsored posts are constantly changing. Noncompliance can result in fines and reputational damage.  Influencer marketing has brought a huge change for several brands in different industries. But the stakes are always high and this is why you need to prioritize brand safety and adopt a strategic approach.  Are you considering influencer marketing for your brand? #influencermarketing

"We watched a company video at our last leadership retreat and it's the first time I've seen my Korean and Japanese colleagues speak in their own languages with English subtitles." My client was excited as she told me this. I knew exactly what was coming next... "It was like they were completely different people!!" Suddenly her shy colleagues, who typically don't contribute much in meetings, were confident, knowledgeable, powerful even! I often tell Danish friends that if they haven't met me in English, they don't really know me. When I speak Danish: ❌ I don't raise my hand so quickly to speak and hardly contribute ✅ In English, you're 𝗹𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘆 if I raise my hand before jumping in ❌ I never volunteer to present ✅ Ummm... yeah, that's my whole career in English ❌ I second-guess my word choices and pronunciation, never fully confident, even though I'm basically fluent. ✅ I speak with nuance and eloquence, knowing how to fully adjust my language to context and culture without a second thought. I'm treated very differently in Danish, due in part to how I look and sound when I communicate... but, also due to people 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 the way I look and sound to hear 𝗺𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲. On the flip side, I'm often given 𝘂𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 and 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗲 in English because I'm such an engaged and confident communicator. Linguistic inclusion goes beyond recognizing these biases. There are simple changes you can make within the organization (especially with the technology we have today) that can help you start meeting your colleagues in their own languages. Honoring your colleagues' identities by allowing them to speak their native languages in a company video (internal or external) is just a start. Does your company integrate translation/interpretation/captioning solutions (human or tech) to encourage freedom of linguistic expression? Is it time to consider doing so? #inclusion #linguistics #communication #unmuted

Mass Tourism is dead. Hilton 2026 trend report says what's next for the industry. For decades, the tourism industry was built on volume. Crowded resorts. All-inclusive packages. Selfie sticks and bucket lists made on Instagram. But that era is fading fast. The next wave of travel isn’t about where people go, it’s about why. According to Hilton’s new 2026 Trends Report, travellers around the world are making a radical shift: from mass tourism to meaningful tourism seeking connection, calm, and authenticity instead of crowds and checklists. Here are the key trends reshaping the future of travel: 1. “Hushpitality”: Seeking Silence and Stillness In an overstimulated world, travellers crave peace. Hilton found that almost half of travellers now add extra days to disconnect before or after family trips and many are choosing destinations where they can simply breathe. Wellness, mental clarity, and calm have become new luxury. 2. Home Comforts Are the New Carry-On The modern traveller wants familiarity. From favourite streaming shows to pet-friendly rooms, people are bringing their routines with them. Even abroad, 77% of travellers enjoy browsing grocery stores, proof that comfort and local discovery can coexist beautifully. This is also why long-stay travel and remote-work destinations are booming: people want a “home away from home” they can trust. 3. Generation Remix - Families Are Redefining Travel Family vacations aren’t what they used to be. Children help plan itineraries. Grandparents take grandkids on “skip-gen” trips. Families are seeking shared play, not screens. Travel is becoming a tool for bonding and shared growth across generations. 4. Inheritourism: Travel With Legacy and Meaning People no longer travel to escape their lives, they travel to understand them. More than half of families now plan trips to connect with their roots and local traditions. “Cultural immersion” isn’t a buzzword anymore — it’s a priority. 5. Purposeful Journeys: The Rise of the “Whycation” The biggest transformation is philosophical Travellers are asking why they travel. To rest. To reconnect. To grow. This emotional motivation — rather than location — is now the foundation of modern tourism. And This Is Why We’re Transforming Roatán At the Roatán Tourism Bureau, we see these shifts as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. We’re helping local businesses evolve from mass tourism to meaningful tourism, from quick visits on cruiseships to long-term value. That means: - Supporting hotels and hosts to create spaces that feel like home. - Training local operators to attract digital nomads and wellness travellers. - Promoting authentic cultural experiences that connect visitors with the island’s people and traditions. - Partnering with communities to ensure growth benefits everyone. Travel is changing — fast. And Roatán is getting ready to lead this new chapter: quieter, deeper, and more intentional.

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

As a founder travel is often a necessity, not a luxury. Whether it’s meeting investors, expanding into new markets or sourcing the best suppliers, being on the go is part of building a global brand. But here’s the challenge—how do you stay effective when your schedule, environment, and even time zones keep changing? Over the years, I’ve learned that working while traveling isn’t just about staying productive—it’s about staying strategic! Here’s how to make sure travel accelerates your success rather than disrupting it: 1️⃣ Prioritize High-Value Work Over Busyness When you’re traveling, your time is even more limited so you have to focus on what truly moves the needle. Instead of getting caught up in endless emails or daily operations, use travel as a chance to step back and work on the business. 2️⃣ Make Travel a Networking & Expansion Opportunity Every trip is a chance to grow your network. Instead of just attending scheduled events, I always reach out to local entrepreneurs, potential partners and industry leaders in the region I’m visiting. Some of my biggest business opportunities have come from spontaneous chats in a new city! 3️⃣ Protect Your Energy & Mental Clarity The most valuable asset is clarity. Constant travel can drain your decision-making capacity if you’re not careful. I’ve learned to be ruthless about protecting my energy whether that means scheduling in downtime, staying in locations that support my focus or ensuring my travel aligns with my personal rhythm. Success isn’t just about doing more, it’s about doing the right things, in the right state of mind. The ability to run a company while traveling isn’t just about productivity, it’s about using travel to sharpen your vision, make better connections and move your business forward. If you’re a founder who travels often, how do you make sure it works for you rather than against you? Would love to hear your thoughts! 💫 #Entrepreneurship

I recently shared an op-ed explaining Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq)’s development philosophy for #Sharjah, which is not about speed or scale, but identity, purpose and meaningful impact. As a nation, we’re driving Sharjah’s progress using heritage, sustainability and community as lodestars. Our destinations are designed to be experienced, not just seen. They’re places that connect people to nature, culture and our emirate’s own lifestory. We prioritize environmental responsibility and long-term resilience while supporting local talent and small businesses to ensure economic growth reinforces our social fabric. As international interest in Sharjah grows, we believe it’s because people seek exactly what we offer: destinations with authenticity, depth and a clear sense of place. For Shurooq, development is a responsibility that allows us to build meaning, create possibilities and live by the values that matter to our future. https://lnkd.in/d82xevDj

Most hotel forecasts are not forecasts. They are guesses with better formatting. In many hotels the "forecast" is a single blended number. 78% occupancy. ADR: 215. Confidence: medium. But the market does not care about confidence. It only reacts to demand. And when the forecast is wrong, pricing is wrong. Research from HSMAI shows that 72% of hotel managers report inaccurate forecasts directly causing pricing mistakes and missed revenue opportunities. Forecasting is not reporting. It is the engine of the entire revenue strategy. 1. Rolling forecasts, not static numbers Strong revenue teams run 30, 60, and 90-day rolling forecasts and update them weekly or daily during volatile demand periods. Monthly-only updates are outdated. 2. Segmented demand, not blended occupancy A reliable forecast separates demand by: Room type Distribution channel Customer segment such as transient, corporate, wholesale, and group Each segment has different booking pace, lead time, and price sensitivity. Without segmentation, you are not forecasting demand. You are averaging it. 3. Booking pace and lead time behavior Booking windows constantly shift. Academic research in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights shows that changes in booking windows can significantly reduce forecast accuracy if they are not monitored closely. When booking behavior shifts from 30 days to 7 days, yesterday's forecast becomes irrelevant. Revenue managers who ignore pace data are forecasting the past. 4. Scenario forecasting, not a single number Professional forecasts include multiple demand scenarios: Base demand High demand Downside risk This matters because hotel cancellations alone can affect 8% to 26% of reservations, making demand highly volatile. One cancellation wave can move occupancy by several points overnight. Single-number forecasts ignore that reality. 5. Forecasts that drive the entire hotel A forecast is not a revenue department document. It should drive decisions across the property: Housekeeping staffing Food purchasing Distribution strategy Pricing and inventory control Owner reporting Because the forecast answers one simple question: How much demand is coming and when. Hotels that get this right outperform their competitors long before the month ends. Hotels that do not spend the month reacting to surprises. And in revenue management, reaction is always more expensive than anticipation. Technology is only accelerating this gap. Hotels using advanced forecasting and pricing systems are reporting up to 17% higher revenue and forecast accuracy improvements of around 20% compared with traditional methods. Forecasting is not a spreadsheet exercise. It is the strategic radar of the entire hotel. If your forecast is one number updated once a month, you are not predicting demand. You are documenting mistakes. #RevenueManagement #HotelRevenueManagement #HotelForecasting #HospitalityLeadership #LuxuryHospitality #RevPAR #HotelStrategy