Say Yes To Travel

Steve Sinclair appeared on “Say Yes to Travel” to discuss with host Sarah Dandashy an aspect of traveling that many people might not consider: lost and found. Everyone has had to deal with losing something somewhere at some point while on a trip, and Sinclair's company, Bounte, helps reunite people with lost… well, bounty.The journey for Sinclair began when he was vacationing with his family and his young son's blankets were lost at a hotel. The blankets were, mercifully, found, but the ensuing hassle and confusion chain-of-command to get them mailed and returned was too complicated. Sinclair saw a missing link in an industry. Inquring on how the hotel staff was keeping up with these kinds of issues, he discovered it was all down to “Excel and post-it notes.”“The guest experience is so critical, you got to get the technology right to deliver that guest experience,” said Sinclair. Dandashy pointed out the importance of a company like Bounte, since oftentimes “the lost and found process” is often “only as good as the person on the phone.”Sinclair deconstructed the issue into three pieces. The first point is logging, which Bounte has a simple picture-method where whomever sees an item can simply log it by taking a picture with a phone that is then captured into a company's cloud. The item is also automatically recognized and labeled.This leads to the second problem: searching capabilities. Many places don't even know what's in their lost and found. They always have to go back and search. “You're basically fumbling the ball right in front of the guest,” said Sinclair. “We have a system so that you can go and search through it really quickly.”The third issue Sinclair found is returning items. Oftentimes, this can be a nightmare. With Bounte, the guest is able to use an online system to check out and choose a shipping option, just like they would be able to do when ordering from a retailer like Amazon. When it comes to having places like hotels choose a company like Bounte to help streamline their lost and found needs, Sinclair stresses that “not making a decision about technology is making a decision about technology.”

Why is a nurse being featured on the Say Yes to Travel podcast? Well, Kelly Greytok, RN concierge nurse specializing in plastic surgery recovery, started out as a golf course coordinator straight out of college and then became a nurse. Greytok explained to Host Sarah Dandashy that she combined her love for travel with nursing by helping plastic surgery patients recover in hotels. She proudly maintains the motto of “exceeding the expectations of every guest every time.”However, as one can imagine, the pandemic made Greytok's job a little tricky with traveling and elective plastic surgeries nearly coming to a halt. Alternatively, plastic surgeons pivoted and adapted quickly, like hosting Zoom consultation sessions, and Greytok is ecstatic to see that change lasting.Just in the U.S. this year alone, surgeons performed 15.6M cosmetic and almost 6M reconstructive surgeries, even with COVID-19 regulations. Greytok has noticed an increase in surgeries above the neck and believes it's largely due to looking at oneself so frequently on Zoom meetings.Greytok added that patients desire a seamless experience and the most qualified doctors since there is a hefty price tag associated with plastic surgery.“More than ever, especially since the pandemic, people want safety, they want comfort, and they want connection,” explained Greytok. “And so I'm finding that instead of being at a house with all the other people and the crossover of nurses, they want to be in a private, luxurious hotel room… they want the privacy, and they want the great experience on their own terms.”Interested in more information and tips on plastic surgery caregiving? Subscribe to the channel and check out Greytok's website for bookings, videos, checklists and other resources.

Celebrating stories of love in beautiful locations sounds like a dream job, and it is for Karen Bussen, the exclusive designer for Weddings by Palladium. Bussen joined Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy to talk about her experience and what's trending for destination weddings in 2022.Bussen's roots are in the hospitality industry, and that's where her journey to wedding planner extraordinaire began. “I was working at a restaurant in New York City, and a couple loved the floral arrangement I did and asked to help with their wedding. From here, I was hooked.”Bussen learned on the job, making early morning trips to the city's floral market. Over time, she did more than just design, helping couples plan their special day. She then joined the Palladium Group. “We had the same commitment to quality and service, and it was an opportunity to deliver an experience to couples across the world,” she said.Now, she helps brides and grooms create their dream wedding days at Palladium resorts in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica.“Each resort has its own personality. The Riviera Maya is lush and natural. In Jamaica, the backdrop is the turquoise waters. The essence of the place is part of every celebration,” Bussen shared.In talking trends for 2022, Bussen mentioned that since many couples had postponed their nuptials, they're going all out. “They are adding on events and experiences like welcome parties at the beach or farewell brunches.”Another trend Bussen noted is couples wanting to incorporate the culture of the location into their festivities. “They want to integrate the flavors of the place in authentic ways. At Riviera Maya, there's a shaman experience where they issue a blessing, which ties back to Mayan culture.”

The hospitality industry continues to evolve, and the people behind it do so, too. Joining Sarah Dandashy on Say Yes to Travel was Dan Ryan, Co-Founder of Agency 967. Ryan is a lifelong entrepreneur, industry expert, and host of the podcast Defining Hospitality.After falling in love with hospitality, Ryan spent 20 years selling and sourcing custom furniture and fixtures for hotels. Managing all aspects of it became chaotic, so he founded Agency 967 to be an intermediary. “I needed to simplify everything and work with the best in category companies, so I can shorten everyone's journey. I'm a connector between brands and hotel designers.”Ryan used those words “shortening the journey” throughout the show and are huge for his personal brand and agency. He took on new ways to do this during the pandemic, starting Blue Canary, a cleaning training platform for hospitality. “We created a culture of safety,” he added.Ryan also started his podcast, which he was excited to do because of his natural curiosity. “It's called Defining Hospitality because it means something different to everyone, and it even made me rethink what hospitality is.”Ryan and Dandashy also discussed trends. “Smaller rooms are here to stay. The mature hospitality industry has much to learn from Airbnb. They can equally inform each other.”On the minds of hospitality leaders, Ryan said, “The hiring crisis was a problem before and is now a serious structural issue. What work looks like after the pandemic will impact both business and personal travel.”

While travel is ramping up this year compared to 2021's holiday season, it is doing so to a much greater extent than anyone had anticipated. Host Sarah Dandashy from Marketscale's podcast Say Yes to Travel shared, “AAA projects that more than 53.4 million people with travel this Thanksgiving.” Surprisingly, she added that “This is just 3 percent shy of pre-pandemic levels.”If you are planning on traveling this Thanksgiving, Dandashy noted that the best time to leave and return home is before 11 AM on Friday or Saturday and before 12 PM on Sunday. These tend to be the best times to avoid traffic jams, as traffic is projected to be about 40 percent higher nationwide this year.Even the TSA has been noticing this trend. On November 19, they recorded the busiest day since the start of pandemic, screening over 2.2 million passengers.Another industry experiencing the impact of the rise in travel is hospitality. There is still a hiring struggle for this industry, especially within businesses such as hotels, restaurants, and airlines. Dandashy's tip: Be mindful and appreciative of your staff if you are in this industry. She added that it is important “even more so this year just given those circumstances with those long hours not as many people working so those people are feeling overlooked and overworked. So whatever you can do to show that appreciation and be mindful for the employees you do have will go a long, long way.”Dandashy expressed her appreciation for all podcast guests and clients and added that there will be a few more episodes of Say Yes to Travel the remainder of the year featuring some phenomenal guests. As always, continue to say, “yes” to travel

In this episode of Say Yes to Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy invited John Wolfe, CEO of House Advantage on the show. The two discuss Wolfes' background in the gaming industry,  his move to owning businesses that center on consumer loyalty and understanding consumers' habits.  They later dive into the importance of using the current pandemic-associated challenges to see the opportunities for growth and new ways of doing things.Wolfe says the data they collect in how people make buying decisions and understand consumer habits is essential in loyalty. But also, so is the security of that data. In establishing a cyber-security company, Wolfe says, “if our whole lives are immersed in technology as it has been during the pandemic,” cyber-security is a safe counter bet. “People wake up every day in other countries and spend their entire day looking for ways to plunder companies wealth.”Wolfe doesn't consider his work as a job but an extension of his passions and lifestyle. “I tend to invest, build where I live and spend all my time.” Wolfe attributes the success of his companies to viewing things from a consumer-first attitude and mentality.Wolfe admits that “My companies don't look related, but understanding lifestyle consumer habits, data, the laws around protecting data and the technology of protecting that data all fit.” Wolfe said there wasn't a science in how things came together but more of seeing opportunities and going after solutions to needs." We look for things we have to offer during the shutdowns and challenges.” For example, Wolfe developed a new home unit called Hack Trap. With internet lifestyle technology connected to appliances, cameras, and monitors at home, they saw a need for home data protection. “With people working from home, and all of the technology, there was a convergence of needs that we've met,” says Wolfe. It's essential to embrace new areas as a business. Wolfe believes, “There isn't a concern that doesn't have an opportunity tied to it. If you look at it the right way, you can exploit an opportunity. I've never seen a problem that doesn't have an opportunity.”

The pandemic pushed the hospitality industry to the brink. However, crisis often breeds innovation and creativity. So, what's next for the hotel ecosystem? Brian Esposito, CEO of Esposito Intellectual Enterprises, is developing a new cryptocurrency-focused hotel concept. He joined Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy to discuss it.Esposito's holding company includes 75 entities operating in over 25 different industries, two of those being hospitality and crypto. He founded his company to build a world as he sees it and wants to contribute to it. “I want to add value, connect the dots, and enhance the guest experience.”Esposito noted that several areas of hospitality are booming post-pandemic, including private aviation and wellness travel. He said that it's an exciting time and the perfect one to do something completely different.“I'm working on a new hotel concept with digital assets. Properties are at a discount now, and this could be a source of new profitability when the currency is crypto,” Esposito said.Travelers may spend more in digital currency but need a space to do that. Reinventing the traditional hotel infrastructure is part of the concept. “It would likely include private residencies for the crypto community. But it's bringing this abstract concept into a familiar environment.”Another idea for these hotels is to remove the ballroom and replace it with a digital exchange floor. “Ballrooms are a burden and often bleeding money. The model would be to create a crypto exchange trading floor. It's using an institutional model people know to introduce something new so people will want to get involved,” Esposito shared.

The cruise industry was always a favorite for travelers, and it's finally resurging after the pandemic. What does this new cruise experience look like, and what are guests now expecting? To answer this, Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy spoke with Paul Rutter. Rutter is a customer service expert, author, speaker, and spent 40 years as a cruise and entertainment director.Rutter's path to the industry was unexpected. He graduated from college with a teaching degree, with plans to travel before starting his career. A chance meeting turned into an offer to work on a ship. “I worked on multiple lines, received education from all these, and was traveling all over the world and getting paid.”Rutter pointed out what makes cruising unique across hospitality and any other sector. “We live with our customers 24/7 and our coworkers. So, culture onboard is important. There are so many nationalities, so everyone has to be taken care of—happy crew, happy guests,” Rutter shared.Cruises went dormant during the pandemic and are now back on the waters. Rutter explained that the cruise lines got together to create plans and procedures. “The cruise industry has been light years ahead of others in health and safety. Now with the plans and requiring vaccines or negative tests, there have been few outbreaks.”The operational model had to adapt to the new reality, with contact tracing, crew-served buffets, and cordoning off potential cases.Even though the environment is somewhat different, the commitment to exceed expectations and care for crew is still the same. Rutter's More Than Perfect Customer Service Model drives satisfaction, retention, and loyalty. He combined this model and anecdotes from his 40 years in the business in his new book, “You Can't Make This Ship Up.”

On November 1, 2021, Palm Beach opened its newly renovated Town Marina. Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy chatted with Assistant Town Manager Carolyn Stone and dockmaster Mike Horn to explore this exciting project.The dock, originally from the 1940s, was at the end of its life. As the only public marina on the island, rebuilding was a process. Stone said, “We really started from scratch, and my role, which includes oversight for revenue that's not tax dollars, was to oversee the project.”Horn, who has been with the city for eight years, echoed that the old docks were beyond repair. “We ripped it down and started over, upgrading everything.”The marina's history is rich, and since the town owns it, residents had input on the project, which also meant it took a bit longer. “We are a boating community, and most of those with slips are residents for at least part of the year,” Stone added.The new marina delivers an upgrade in most every way. Horn said, “We now have adequate shore power, which we didn't have in the old facility. We have floating docks and can accommodate boats up to 296 feet. It's a well thought out design with Wi-Fi, wastewater removal, and utility pads.”While the process to get to the construction was lengthy, it started in May 2020 during the pandemic. “There were lots of questions around construction in the pandemic, but we started on time. Weather was also a factor, as were concerns about the economy,” Stone noted.The project kept moving, and they're glad it did, considering it seems to be an impressive and successful project already, as Horn reported they already have 86% occupancy.

On November 1, 2021, Palm Beach opened its newly renovated Town Marina. Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy chatted with Assistant Town Manager Carolyn Stone and dockmaster Mike Horn to explore this exciting project.The dock, originally from the 1940s, was at the end of its life. As the only public marina on the island, rebuilding was a process. Stone said, “We really started from scratch, and my role, which includes oversight for revenue that's not tax dollars, was to oversee the project.”Horn, who has been with the city for eight years, echoed that the old docks were beyond repair. “We ripped it down and started over, upgrading everything.”The marina's history is rich, and since the town owns it, residents had input on the project, which also meant it took a bit longer. “We are a boating community, and most of those with slips are residents for at least part of the year,” Stone added.The new marina delivers an upgrade in most every way. Horn said, “We now have adequate shore power, which we didn't have in the old facility. We have floating docks and can accommodate boats up to 296 feet. It's a well thought out design with Wi-Fi, wastewater removal, and utility pads.”While the process to get to the construction was lengthy, it started in May 2020 during the pandemic. “There were lots of questions around construction in the pandemic, but we started on time. Weather was also a factor, as were concerns about the economy,” Stone noted.The project kept moving, and they're glad it did, considering it seems to be an impressive and successful project already, as Horn reported they already have 86% occupancy.

The passion for travel can inspire more than just memories—it can also become a successful career. That's the story of Tara Cappel, Founder and CEO of For the Love of (FTLO) Travel and Sojrn. She joined host Sarah Dandashy on Say Yes to Travel to talk about travel trends and her launch of Sojrn.“Travel has always been a driver in my decisions in life, so I wanted to help others see the world,” Cappel said.FTLO Travel is modern group travel for young professionals. The company takes care of all the planning, including curated inclusions and slow sustainable travel. When the pandemic hit, the business halted.“We stopped running trips in March 2020 and turned back to community and bringing people together to maintain that excitement for travel,” Cappel explained.During this time, Cappel and her team began to think about the long-term impact of the pandemic on work, life, and travel trends. That path took them to Sojrn, a “work from home meets study abroad” experience. Travelers spend a month abroad at one of their chapter destinations, where they can work, play, and connect. They started with chapters in Athens, Tuscany, Bali, and Medellin, with plans to add Cape Town, Mexico City, Rome, and Barcelona in 2022.“We take care of accommodations and a workspace. Each chapter has a culturally relevant theme. We sold out immediately and have 5000 people on the waitlist,” Cappel shared.Next, Cappel offered some thoughts on trends. “I think people are reprioritizing things in their lives and looking at those bucket list trips. There's going to be a lot of demand.”

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Jason Fudin, Co-Founder and CEO of WhyHotel, a hospitality platform, and operator focusing on multifamily buildings. It operates pop-up hotels out of the vacancy of newly built luxury apartments during the initial lease-up process. They talked about Fudin's career, his time at Vornado Realty, and WhyHotel.Fudin's background is in high-rise institutional real estate development. He worked on large real estate developments for Vornado Realty that at times were worth more than $2 billion. Focusing on innovation realty, he tended to work with companies such as WeWork and how they could make space more efficient and better utilize it. While he was at Vornado, he piloted WhyHotel, and they spun it out to become its own independent, venture-backed company in 2017.“The real estate world is kind of archaic in that highly siloed, and it has no flexibility,” Fudin said. “I was in the unique position of spending those 100s of millions and billions to build products while seeing a changing set of consumer preferences so spaces could be more flexible.”WhyHotel brings a hospitality-style product into apartments, according to Fudin. Their first business line is a pop-up hotel. In some ways, it was the right place at the right time, as Vornado gave Fudin the freedom to build this new platform.“If you're a guest of ours or resident, you get to stay in high-quality apartment homes in great neighborhoods, but you get hospitality services,” Fudin said. “You get that hospitality experience.”

Hyatt Hotels made a splash this week by announcing that it has agreed to buy resort operator Apple Leisure Group for $2.7 billion in cash.Sarah Dandashy, host of MarketScale's Say Yes to Travel, weighs in about the state of the industry and what we can expect as 2021 marches on.In this soundbite, she shared her thoughts on the looming uncertainty of the hotel industry and how the big players might be looking at the Delta variant as an opportunity to expand their footprint.

With so much change in the hospitality industry, many stakeholders are seeking new ideas, inspiration, and solving challenges. Hotel owner, operator and investor Rupesh Patel joined Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy to discuss his career and what he's doing now as an industry advocate, social media community builder, and host of Hospitality Live with Rupesh.Patel literally grew up in hotels when his father purchased one in South Florida. He wasn't always on the hospitality path, studying multi-media design. Eventually, he merged his passions to a successful career. “I like bringing ideas from other industries to new ones and doing things that are unique,” he added.“I like bringing ideas from other industries to new ones and doing things that are unique.” - Rupesh PatelBecause of Patel's love for hospitality, he built a strong following on LinkedIn. “I just wanted to share my passion, show value, and bring ideas on operations, marketing, and customer service,” he said.Once the pandemic hit, Patel pivoted from being a speaker and consultant in-person to putting that into his LinkedIn postings and show. “I wanted to inspire people while they were down. I was seeing my employees and others struggle, so it was about staying positive.”Patel also recognized the shift in the hotel business that will outlast the pandemic. “The entire guest experience is changing because of technology. I was able to direct message my hotel on my flight here to see if I could check in early, and I wouldn't have been able to do that a few years ago.”Additionally, Patel discussed the adoption and acceleration of technology in every facet of hotel operations and the power of data. “We're collecting data about who is there, what they're buying, and what they're doing to improve experiences.”

Will hospitality ever be the same? Should it be? What has the industry and world learned since the pandemic? These are some of the topics Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy discussed with hospitality expert and TV and podcast host Anthony Melchiorri.Melchiorri is well-known in the hospitality industry, which he said allowed him to “use all my personality.” He worked at storied hotels and eventually became a hotel “fixer,” turning around properties no one else could. This success led to multiple Travel Channel shows, including Hotel Impossible."Managers are getting crushed. They are high performers, and we need to reimagine the role of that level going forward.”Melchiorri talked about what the last year-plus has been like for the industry. “It was shock, and we were all going to zero together and had to figure it out, but in the end, I'm grateful.”He also found himself home with all that energy, which lead to Checking in with Anthony and Glenn that he co-hosts with Glenn Haussman. “It became bigger than just something to do like a touchstone for the industry. We're bringing people together and teaching the industry,” he said.Dandashy asked Melchiorri about the trends he's seeing. “On the good side, people appreciate travel more. The incorporation of technology and getting it right because hospitality is usually behind has pushed ahead much sooner than without the pandemic.”However, he also has concerns. “It's the people. Supervisors are getting crushed, and that's hard. There's a void there, and I'm working on some concepts to address it.”

The state of travel for both business and leisure is still largely in flux as reopening unfolds. With that in mind, Sarah Dandashy, host of MarketScale's Say Yes to Travel, answered a few questions about the state of the industry and what we can expect as 2021 marches on.In this soundbite, she shared her thoughts on pricing's impact on travel decisions."Have people stopped making travel decisions based on price? It's a great question. Certainly, if you have been trying to plan a trip this summer, you probably realize, wow, travel is getting pretty expensive.Now, arguably, over the past year, maybe you haven't traveled as much. You saved up a little bit, but price will always play into travel decisions.Now, what we are seeing is, per a recent study by American Express, about 33% of Americans are actually spending more on their travel experiences now, mainly because they have saved up for it.So, certainly, travel is more expensive. But, you know, people are taking that into consideration as they are planning their travel and moving ahead. So, no, people have not stopped taking into consideration pricing or pricing when it comes to travel. That will always be part of the equation."

The COVID-19 pandemic didn't officially stall all business travel, but much of the world's business has been conducted remotely for more than a year.So, with reopening underway, has there now been a shift in the way we perceive the necessity of traveling for business? MarketScale Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy weighed in."Have we seen the shift in the perception of business travel? I think so. I definitely think so.Very famously, last year, at the end of 2020, Bill Gates actually came out saying that this was the death of business travel. But what we've seen since then is, absolutely, we will be going back to business travel now.It is a longer sort of runway for us to get back to those numbers that we saw before, and maybe we don't ever quite see the exact same numbers, but I think we will. We are creatures of habit.People can always argue that in-person meetings are invaluable. So, business travel will certainly rebound. It's just going to go at a slower pace, especially as, right now, things are still very, very fluid in regards to the pandemic.At the end of the day, it comes down to liability, and businesses want to be careful what they're liable for. So, it will come back, it'll just be that slow sort of recovery. But I know that people are excited to get back out there and to travel for business."

With reopening marching forward, many organizations are looking to get their team members back on flights and back to in-person events where they can network, close deals, highlight products and more.But what's the status for traveling for business to Europe? What does your organization need to know?Sarah Dandashy, host of MarketScale's Say Yes to Travel, weighed in."Well, the short answer is it's actually been open pretty much this whole time — throughout the pandemic. You just need to have proof that you were actually traveling for business.Now, there are a couple of different technicalities when it comes to that. Certainly now, as Europe has opened up for leisure travel, it has made it a bit easier in that you don't actually have to have proof that you're necessarily traveling for business. You just have to have proof of whether you've been vaccinated or of a negative COVID test.Obviously, a lot of this depends on where you are traveling to in Europe. So, keep in mind, depending on the destination, every country has different rules.Also, if you are going to Europe and you start at one country and you need to travel to another country, you also need to do your research, as every country has its own set of requirements.Once you return to the United States, you have to have proof of a negative COVID test to come back, whether you have been vaccinated or not."

With supply chains around the world struggling under the weight of the past year, will airlines be next in line to feel the effects?MarketScale Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy weighed in."American Airlines is telling pilots to conserve fuel.Now, this is really interesting for those that might not know. There is actually a jet fuel shortage that is happening right now within the United States, particularly the Western United States.What's been going on? Well, we obviously know, in the world of travel and hospitality, there has been an employment shortage. That's also trickled down, [to] a lot of truck drivers who normally would deliver the jet fuel to a lot of these smaller airports. They do not have as many people working those jobs right now.So, as a result, there is this jet fuel shortage. It's happening now. If things go as planned, obviously, they are trying to fix this — they are looking to be out of this shortage by the middle of August.But, right now, between now and then, it's something to keep in mind, especially if you are traveling. ... It could have some impacts on flight delays moving forward."

We are entering into a new era of travel, and it's interesting to see how it's shifting. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the hospitality industry to adapt, but it also forced it along in terms of rapid growth. One of these ways is with blockchain and how it's going to impact the travel industry moving forward.Here to give insights on this episode of Say Yes To Travel with Host Sarah Dandashy is Luke Kim, Head of Marketing at Dtravel, a decentralized platform for the home-sharing economy facilitating short and long-term stays payable with cryptocurrency and traditional payment methods.Kim got his start working at Amadeus IT, a large company in the south of France that engages in the provision of transaction processing solutions to the global travel and tourism industry. Working in the innovation department, he gained a lot of experience before moving on to a nonprofit. He also worked on several projects in blockchain.He eventually landed at Dtravel, which he likens to a company that's for the people by the people. Former executives from Airbnb, Expedia, and other global technology companies have joined forces with Binance-backed Travala.com to launch Dtravel. One of the things they pride themselves on is having lower fees than existing platforms. “I believe in everybody having the right to be paid out for what they're worth,” Kim said. “The people who are working hard to make our economy work should be able to benefit off the value of that economy.”The decentralized nature of blockchain works well with the sharing economy, such as home-sharing. Conceptually, blockchain tends to make sense, but practically it tends to look like black magic, according to Kim.“If you imagine an Airbnb, where the users themselves are the owners and the controllers of the platform,” Kim said of a home-sharing blockchain platform. “If you imagine where the hosts have the ability to decide for the policies and fees they feel are fair.”

Flying private was once inaccessible to most, but the industry has changed, boasting flexibility and convenience for work and leisure. A veteran of the business, Rick Sitomer, CEO of Star Jets International, spoke with Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy about the changing environment.Sitomer started the first private jet brokerage firm in 2001 after witnessing the inefficiency in the marketplace. He ran that business for 15 years before selling up but started back again in 2016. The company just announced its highest revenues to date in Q1 2021, which is the result of tremendous demand.“In any disaster, aviation thrives. Many people were scared to fly commercial. The business did change when COVID hit. We made a few big trips for clients in the beginning with cargo jets moving over 14 million masks,” Sitomer said.Sitomer noted that he thinks revenue gains will continue. He expects his business to reach $200-300 million in revenue a year. So, who are private jet clients?“Flying first-class costs a fortune. You might as well fly private and get the convenience and flexibility that comes with it.” - Rick Sitomer“It's a lot of referrals. We look for clients that fly all the time for business or leisure. We do use marketing tactics like pay per click and are looking to do more TV ads to create brand awareness on business channels,” Sitomer added.Experts agree that the private aviation industry is booming, with projections for it to hit $100 billion in five years. “The growth in the industry and business is exponential,” Sitomer said.Now that countries are opening back up, Sitomer is witnessing a huge demand for luxury travel. It's more convenient for travelers, and if they were going to fly first class, they might as well take a private jet.

European travel is opening back up, and as travelers head to some of their favorite destinations, Paris will most certainly be on the list. On the list of best places to stay is FAUCHON L'Hotel Paris.On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Jerome Montanteme, GM, Hotel Fauchon Paris, and Maud Welter, Director, Sales & Marketing. Hotel Fauchon Paris is a luxurious boutique hotel in the heart of Paris and the new epicenter of a contemporary Parisian epicure and luxurious hospitality. The trio talked about the five-star hotel, travel during the pandemic for French guests, and what European travel will look like post-pandemic.While many five-star hotels in Paris had been shut down since last year, FAUCHON L'Hotel Paris has been open, welcoming French guests — even ranking on TripAdvisor as the #1 Hotel in Paris. On either side of the pandemic, though, the goal of both Welter and Montanteme is to make the hotel visitors happy.“We have the same spirit together on hospitality,” Montanteme said of his and Maud's vision on how to treat their guests. “Hospitality for us is being happy to make the clients happy. This is really the sense of our job. If you're not happy to make the clients happy, it is better to find another business.”Listen to hear more about the decisions they made to survive the pandemic and their plans for the future as Euro travel reopens.

Traveling is one of the most rewarding endeavors, but it is also one of the most challenging. One hurdle is storing things while traveling, but English startup Stasher is looking to change how travelers store their luggage.Joining Host Sarah Dandashy to discuss on this episode of Say Yes To Travel is Jacob Wedderburn-Day, the CEO and Co-Founder at Stasher, a travel tech startup that is the world's first luggage storage network that connects travelers with hotels and stores that can keep luggage safe while users enjoy their time in a city."Storage in cities is a genuine problem." - Jacob Wedderburn-DayWedderburn-Day launched Stasher as a happy accident when one of his friends wanted to store stuff with another friend. The friend joked about charging people for this service. An idea was born. They launched a website where folks could keep things in their flats. The model has since evolved, but the basic idea remains."Storage in cities is a genuine problem," Wedderburn-Day said. "If you remember at the time, and it's still the case, Airbnb at that time had gone from this interesting idea to a household name, and everyone was starting to do it. It was also creating an even bigger opportunity in this space."What was a joke of an idea is now in over 250 cities worldwide, though they took a bit of a hit during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Hotels and businesses use the site to market their storage space, and travelers can store their things in a secure location. As a former concierge, Dandashy noted the need for travelers to store items while they're traveling."There's a kind of simplicity to the idea, which makes it great," Wedderburn-Day said. "It is not reinventing anything, and it's taking that sharing-economy model that we've seen work so well with taxis and rentals. It is really just making use of space that exists already."

While travel slowed the past year, innovation and technology in the travel space hit hyper-speed, as founders and innovators used the time to create new travel solutions.On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Vito Pagano, President and CEO of GettinLocal, the first travel app and technology of its kind that works with GPS-positioning that's able to give a curated end-destination travel experience to hotel guests and local residents. It acts as sort of a concierge in your pocket. In addition, the duo talks about the possibilities of geofencing as an answer to traditional hospitality tools.“All within one platform, a guest can discover and book everything that's happening around the hotel, or if they're visiting different pockets of the city, the app is dynamic, and it changes based on their physical location." - Vito Pagano“Think of it as similar to a Google search engine, where Google connects to different websites,” Pagano said. “We created one comprehensive app that pulls in Viator, OpenTable, our own curated content, and we marry into Google for reviews. So all within one platform, a guest can discover and book everything that's happening around the hotel, or if they're visiting different pockets of the city, the app is dynamic, and it changes based on their physical location.”The app can be used from the safety of a visitor's hand. It acts as a digital guide, similar to how a concierge would curate end-destinations for a hotel guest. Users can find things that are physically around them. The app also drives income to local municipalities, as guests visit and spend money in these destinations.“In the future, we're able to engage with that past visitor or local resident to come back to the city and promote things such as a food festival,” Pagano said. “We're able to get people back into destinations once they've left.”

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked with Juan Otero, Co-Founder, and CEO of Travala, a leading blockchain-based travel booking platform offering +2,000,000 properties in 230 countries with prices up to 40 percent cheaper than mainstream booking sites. Dandashy and Otero dug into Otero's career, Travala and blockchain, and what changes are brewing in the travel industry post-COVID."We were the first movers in applying blockchain to a traditional online travel agency." -Juan OteroOtero's career combines a solid combination of tech and travel. He even spent some time working at Booking.com. He served as the CEO and Founder of Restaurantes.com, Europe's leading online restaurant reservation service, named by Wired Magazine one of Europe's fastest-growing digital companies in 2012. In 2015, he got his start in blockchain and really became interested in how it could impact the travel industry."That's how we came up with the idea for funding Travala in 2017," Otero said. "We were the first movers in applying blockchain to a traditional online travel agency."While Otero didn't necessarily see a pain point when he started Travala, he understood the power of blockchain. Blockchain allows the travel industry to decentralize a lot of the processes that are in place. These processes include better pricing, more flexibility, and more payment options. Otero said this goes for other industries, as well."Obviously, my experience in the travel industry allowed me to see pretty clearly there was an opportunity there, not just to decentralize a lot of the processes or relationships between travel suppliers and travelers, but to bring a more fair and transparent relationship to the different participants," Otero said. "... and to enhance the whole booking experience with blockchain technology."

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, I talk to Andrew Lock, the Founder and Host of The Travel Pro Show, a travel show for frequent flyers and business travelers or anybody looking for luxury travel. The duo talked about Lock's background, his love for travel, and the international flights during a pandemic.Lock is British-born and now a dual British/American citizen. After his first time on a plane, he got the travel bug at the age of 7 - on a family vacation to Bulgaria. He established a travel agency in his mid-teens, booking flights and travel experiences for friends and family. He started The Travel Pro Show when he noticed the lack of humor on travel content on YouTube and blogs.“There was nothing that was a t.v. show and entertaining,” Lock said. “With my background in video production and working for the BBC, I felt like I could bring something different to the table that was high quality.”As did the rest of the world, Lock didn't do much traveling over the past year. His dual citizenship allowed him to travel between the U.S. and England during the Pandemic, which turned out to be unique. He also took a trip to Malta, Sweden, and Denmark, which required COVID-19 tests.“That, in itself, was quite a surreal experience,” Lock said. “Basically, for the last year, I would say, at the most, there have been about 12 people on the international flights.”Listen to hear more about Andrew's show and what trips he has planned for this year.

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, I talk to Randall Kaplan, Founder, and CEO, of Sandee, considered The Yelp of beaches. We talk about his career as a serial entrepreneur, Sandee, and the time we connected at The London In West Hollywood. I have been interviewing hospitality professionals worldwide who have been fighting to stay afloat during the pandemic, talking about the past year and where the hospitality industry goes from here.Kaplan briefly practiced law before starting his own technology company. He jumped into venture capitalism while he ran a few other companies along the way. For the last seven years, his focus has been on Sandee, which has cataloged 94 categories of data for the world's 50,000 plus beaches located in 212 countries.“The global tourism business is a 9 trillion dollar a year business, and the beach percentage of that is a tiny percentage - it's only 5 trillion dollars,” Kaplan said jokingly. “We're filling that niche.Previously, there was no definite source of beach information globally, but Sandee has created one, which allows people to choose their perfect beach. “If you think about your beach vacations, you're always looking for the right beaches wherever you go,” Kaplan said. When going to a location, people want to see pictures of the beach to determine the quality of the beach. There are also other things to consider, such as if a beachgoer has kids, what is around the beach, or maybe a romantic or a surfing beach. With Sandee, you can find this information.

While travel slowed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, it is poised to break some records in 2021. But, while passengers stayed at home, travel companies were working to offer better services. Two worlds that are seamlessly combining in the travel industry are hospitality and technology.On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, I talk to David Phillips, Co-Founder and President of Jurny, a hospitality tech company powering seamless and contactless accommodations experiences for guests and property owners. We talked about his career, Jurny, and the travel industry Post-Covid. I have been interviewing hospitality professionals worldwide who have been fighting to stay afloat during the Pandemic, talking about the past year and where the hospitality industry goes from here.Phillips's career didn't start in the hospitality or tech industry. His background is business development, but his business career began under the wing of his father at his family business. “It was the exact opposite of nepotism, where my Dad was extra hard on me,” Phillips said.While he enjoyed the role he had before Jurny, it wasn't his business. He wanted to use his skillset to build his own business. He loved day trading but was also considering something in the travel industry. His Co-Founder, Luca Zambello, was in the industry and invited him to spend a day with him. They both found that Phillips' skillset would work perfectly, and they launched Jurny.Airbnb taught them that consumers wanted something different when it came to the hospitality industry. They took lessons and inspirations from on-demand services, such as Uber and DoorDash, and sought to apply this to the hotel industry. “We thought if what if we could perfect this, and build almost Uber for apartments, or Uber for hotel rooms,” Phillips said. “A true on-demand, empowering experience, offering full autonomy to the traveler.”

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, host Sarah Dandashy sits down with Hermann Elger, the executive vice president of travel, entertainment, and health security at Sharecare, the digital health company that helps people manage all their health in one place. Dandashy has been interviewing hospitality professionals worldwide who have been fighting to stay afloat during the pandemic, talking about the past year and where the hospitality industry goes from here.“Just letting the traveler know that everyone in the city is on the same page from a health and security perspective.” -Hermann ElgerElger’s father worked in the hotel industry, so diving into the career path seemed natural. He served as general manager for Baccarat Hotels and Resorts, overseeing operations and the guest experience at luxury properties such as The St. Regis New York and Montage Beverly Hills. He also spent 18 years with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, where he supported the development of new hotels as an opening team leader for The Ritz-Carlton Aspen Highlands, Philadelphia, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur.Sharecare popped up on my radar when Los Angeles became the first Sharecare verified city in the United States. This verification process aims to unify messaging from hotel to consumers that the hotels in the area are clean and safe.“It is a way to build that consistency and consistent messaging from a marketing perspective,” Elger said. “Just letting the traveler know that everyone in the city is on the same page from a health and security perspective.”

After a difficult year in tourism, travel is recovering. While safety is still top of mind, the experience of luxury travel is changing, too. Discussing trends in the space and what her company is seeing, Florence Li, Director of International Sales and Marketing for Songtsam, joined Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy.Li explained a bit about the Songtsam portfolio. “We are a boutique, high-end chain with lodges and hotels in the Yunnan province in China and Tibet.”“People realized because of the pandemic that we are one world and interconnected. In the future, travelers will focus more on connections in destinations. They want immersive, authentic experiences, not just to buy something.” - Florence LiLi shared that all properties were closed in the first part of 2020, but they bounced back with high occupancy by the end of May. To ensure traveler safety, Li said, “We implemented new high standards for hygiene. We continue to keep up with the pace of changes, as well.”One thing the Songtsam properties are known for is sustainability. Most are in local villages, and the company emphasizes using local materials, having symbiotic relationships with villages, and a reverence for nature. “Sustainability isn’t just about the environment. We want to preserve the culture of the local village and support their development and economic growth,” Li said.Their close ties to villages are reflected in their staff, which is 92% from these areas. The organization works hard to develop its employees, which furthers their drive to deliver outstanding hospitality to guests.Li also talked about trends and predictions for luxury travel. “People realized because of the pandemic that we are one world and interconnected. In the future, travelers will focus more on connections in destinations. They want immersive, authentic experiences, not just to buy something.”

With the pandemic putting a lid on traveling over the past year, it’s no wonder that consumers are ready to hit the road and the open sky. So, what are some of the things travelers should expect as they head back out into the world?On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked to Konrad Waliszewski, Founder & CEO of, TripScout about traveling after the pandemic and the pent-up demand for travelers. They also dug into vaccine passports and the first post-covid trip."I wanted to create a company, TripScout, to lead the way for the next generation of modern travelers.” -Konrad WaliszewskiWaliszewski made his name as a travel blogger and early YouTube travel influencer. It’s something he’s passionate about, having traveled to over 100 countries. Entrepreneurship has also been his calling. He noticed changes and trends in the way people traveled, and he started combining his skillset of travel and entrepreneurship. TripScout filled a gap in the market.“Every product and service you use hasn’t changed in the past 20 years since the internet came around,” Waliszewski said. “So, I wanted to create a company, TripScout, to lead the way for the next generation of modern travelers.”TripScout is the number one ranked trip planning app in the app store. They index all the world’s travel content from local bloggers and top publishers. Then their technology extracts every point of interest and every recommendation made by those pieces of content. Then, they curate a feed for each traveler.If you’ve traveled before, you most likely had to have vaccines, so the COVID-19 Passport isn’t that different from other things, such as Yellow Fever Passport. Waliszewski thinks it’s a bit exaggerated, and proving you have had a vaccine isn’t a big deal. He also thinks we’re on the cusp of the biggest travel boom ever.Listen to the episode to hear more about vaccine passports, pent-up demand, and the first post-COVID trip.

The past year has undoubtedly been challenging for the travel industry. But, as more people get vaccinated, things are starting to open up. This means for the travel industry, too.On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, Host Sarah Dandashy talked to Peter Greenberg, CBS News Travel Editor, about traveling during a pandemic. The duo dug into Greenberg’s history as a travel journalist, the travel industry, and post-pandemic traveling.In the early days, Greenberg tried to tell the truth about the travel industry. His column was an investigated travel column. Some topics included what hotel had the most burglaries, what cruise ships were death traps, and what ships had the best safety record. The column was syndicated to multiple newspapers before he moved into television.“On a day-to-day basis, I’m the guy out there to make sure the process is working,” he said. His job, he said, is to make sure people have a great time. The audience doesn’t need me to tell them London is lovely or Bermuda is beautiful. I’m trying to tell them that when they’re waiting to get to London, and the cab driver took them 85 miles instead of two, and the airline lost their bag, and the hotel doesn’t have either reservation, how do they know the questions to ask before they even do anything?”Greenberg believes there is a pent-up demand for travel due to the pandemic. The pandemic didn’t change the approach to travel, as he thinks people don’t want to travel. They need to travel.“The public won’t be able to stopped. They’re going to travel,” Greenberg said.

On this episode of Say Yes To Travel, I talk to Adam Bussell, the General Manager of The LINE In Austin. I have been interviewing hospitality professionals from around the world who have been fighting to stay afloat during the pandemic, talking about the past year and where the hospitality industry goes from here.This week’s guest is special because Adam used to be my boss at The London West Hollywood. When I first applied for the job, he passed on me, but he finally wised up and hired me. After giving him a hard time, I talked to him about The LINE, a boutique hotel in Austin, Texas.Adam dove into his storied career, which has included working at some pretty cool hotels. He started modestly working as a bellman, then at the front desk, as he rose the ranks into a night manager at the Mondrian Hotel in West Hollywood. During this time, the hotel’s bar, The Skybar, was at its peak. To say it was wild would be an understatement.“Honestly, that was the best thing to happen to me because that was the hardest job I’ve ever had,” he said.Maybe it was his youthfulness, but he didn’t realize how crazy the night shifts were at the hotel until later. Some of the best stories and memories he has of working at hotels occurred during that period. None of his experiences to date have compared.“My top ten hotel stories, however you want to look at them, best or worst, happened during that time,” he said.In a career that has spanned from Hollywood to New York, to Las Vegas, he landed in Austin in the summer of 2019. The LINE Hotel started in Los Angeles, with another in Washington, D.C., and they plan on opening one in San Francisco next year. What makes The LINE Austin unique is that it’s large for boutique hotels. There are large rooms and conference space for meetings.The LINE Austin is housed in a former Radisson. They updated the hotel and added a bar and meeting space. Of the 400 rooms, 100 of them are suites.When the pandemic hit, it crushed Austin. The shutdown happened during March, which is when it’s the Austin hospitality industry’s busiest month. But, with the cancellation of SXSW, the future was uncertain. The LINE Austin was able to reopen Memorial Day weekend in 2020, but with rising cases, they faced additional restrictions and shutdowns during the summer.Adam shared more of his experience overcoming the pandemic and what they plan to do in the future.

Falling in love with hospitality is what leads many into the field. Those that find that true connection often go on to make a huge impact. Such is the story of Christine Trippi, CEO of The Wise Pineapple. Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy had an uplifting and insightful conversation on the industry. Trippie started her career at only 17 and managed properties for some of the biggest hotel brands. Now, she’s an author, trainer, speaker, and energizer.“I started at 17, and the next year, I was opening a new hotel as a GM, and my romance with hospitality never waned,” Trippi commented.Trippi credits showing up with the right effort and attitude to her success, including placement on the Global Gurus list. Spreading the message of service and delivering actionable advice to hospitality leaders is her passion. She commented, “It’s not about the four walls; it’s about who is inside them creating energy, love, and excitement.”Trippi urged hospitality professionals to eliminate these three words “because of Covid.” She believes they impact the ability to deliver great service. “Tell guests what you do have, not something that makes you less valuable than you were before. Instead of saying we don’t have shuttle service because of Covid, say this is how we recommend getting to and from the airport.”The biggest challenge for service right now is R&R—recruiting and retention—according to Trippi. She said it’s the worst hiring crisis for the space, even before the pandemic. That made the problem worse with people leaving the industry or retiring. She offered this recommendation. “Go to your associates right now and ask them if they were looking for a job where would they look. I guarantee you’re posting in the wrong place.”

Sustainable travel has a new energy around it, as most of the world rethinks what it means to be a citizen of the world. Kind Traveler is doing its part to advance sustainability and share kindness. Say Yes to Travel host Sara Dandashy spoke with the company’s CEO and Co-Founder, Jessica Blotter.Blotter had an interesting career path, beginning with teaching at-risk youth earth science, spending time with media startups, and writing about travel. She also spent time volunteering with animal rescues and doing her part to give back.On a trip to Belize with her co-founder, Blotter witnessed poverty and hungry dogs. They decided to feed them, and others followed, and that was the beginning of Kind Traveler. “We unintentionally inspired others to spread kindness,” Blotter said.They launched the company in 2016 as a place where travelers could donate to a local charity and then unlock deals for “kind” hotels. “One hundred percent of the donation goes to the charity, and we quantify that on the site. Your $10 helps do this,” Blotter explained.Blotter also discussed how the pandemic has made people more in tune with sustainable travel. “Sixty million people are on the brink of poverty. One in six in the U.S. faces food insecurity. It’s an opportunity to create a paradigm shift and realize how decisions impact local communities and the future.”A sustainable future is a must for travel. Its biggest threat is the climate crisis, along with other factors. “Sustainable travel considers the environmental, community, and economic impact to the host location,” Blotter explained.To address this, Kind Traveler focuses its lens of kindness on animal welfare, healthy communities, wellness, and environmental sustainability. The organization and its kind partners provide a new way to support the destinations that travelers dream of visiting—leaving a positive impact behind.

Say Yes to Travel looks at the topic of wellness in travel and its new place in the industry’s evolution. Joining host Sarah Dandashy is Brian Chappon, CEO of Centred Travel Wellness. The company connects consumers to specially curated services relating to wellness in cities across the world. The app’s objective, Chappon said, is “taking wellness with you” with telemedicine services, fitness/yoga options, wellness retreats, and more. Chappon always had the travel itch and called his success with Centred the culmination of “22 years of entrepreneurial failures.” The app was picking up momentum pre-pandemic, and now it’s growing even more, in part because of it. Chappon explained, “Without the pandemic, we would never have gotten the time and attention of CEOs. We onboarded 40,000 suppliers.”The company also purchased a concierge app and beauty app to match stylists. Chappon chided those in the industry that were wait and see. “Some see it as a risk; we see it as an opportunity.” Their platform drives revenue for small businesses and provides the best recommendations for keeping wellness top of mind in travel. “There’s a lot about the travel industry that wasn’t working, and this is the chance to fix it. Those that do will be relevant; those that don’t won’t.” Centred is a collaborator within the travel ecosystem. Chappon called his team “doers” because they aren’t just building a brand; they are executing and acting. Dandashy also asked Chappon about his predictions for the future of luxury travel. “We don’t know yet, but we’re seeing trends of people saving up so they can spend more than normal. Also, people are taking longer trips with a more focus on wellness and the ability to work. The experiential add-ons will be more important, and bookings will change to be more bespoke,” he added.

Is it possible to improve and enhance the guest experience during a pandemic? Yes, with the right mindset and creativity. Talking about this subject today, Say Yes to Travel host Sarah Dandashy welcomed her former colleague, Jeff Kulek. Kulek is the Area Vice President and General Manager of The London West Hollywood. He has over 30 years of hotel experience and shared his story of reimaging the guest experience. Kulek had Hollywood dreams, but when he didn’t catch a big break, he found a new one—working in hospitality. “In hospitality, you are on stage and want to put on a great show. I love interactions with people.”Kulek’s love of people became even more important during the pandemic. The hotel never closed. “We wanted to be available to guests and see how we could help.” They hosted essential business travelers, healthcare workers, and patients.In November of 2020, LA was back on lockdown, and Kulek was worried and knew he needed to keep motivating staff. “I had to be a change agent and work toward getting everyone in the mindset to provide great service and care for one another.”Kulek wanted to get back into interactions, so he moved his desk to the lobby. He spoke with every guest, hearing their stories, filled with both hope and sadness. He and his team began to do little, unique things for guests, from special gifts to a penthouse giveaway for a couple unable to afford a honeymoon. Kulek began to share the tale of the newlyweds and others on his LinkedIn profile to inspire other hospitality workers. He went viral, and publications began to print stories about the hotel’s ability to serve guests in new ways. “I didn’t want accolades, just wanted to throw a pebble into a pond and watch the ripples, to make the world a better place.”

Say Yes to Travel featured a special guest recently, Mr. Scott Eddy. Host Sarah Dandashy excitedly welcomed her friend and hospitality expert, influencer, and entrepreneur Scott Eddy. Eddy’s unique stories began with his days as a stockbroker. He then said goodbye to the corporate world and took a fateful trip to Southeast Asia. For the next 17 years, he lived in Europe and Asia, creating relationships and learning from other cultures. He entered back into the business world by starting one of the first digital agencies in Southeast Asia, where hospitality brands came to know and trust him. He’s an OG digital nomad that now consults with the travel industry under his own brand. When asked about his pivot during COVID, Eddy said, “You can stick your head in the sand or not. There’s never been a better time, if you’re smart, to launch something.”In lessons learned during COVID, Eddy noted, “If the pandemic didn’t teach you to go all-in on technology and social media, then nothing will. Those are the brands that one. Those that didn’t are dinosaurs in the way they think. You’ll never beat technology.”The pandemic inspired Eddy to create a new kind of conference for the industry. He’ll be hosting Hospitality 2021 on March 25 and 26. It’s free and designed to support professionals that need the right tools and guidance. “It’s not a conference; it’s a conversation. I want to instill some confidence in planning for an uncertain future.” Eddy explained.

In 2021, most people expect to engage with technology. So why are some processes stuck in the past? That’s been true for the hospitality industry, and Say Yes to Travel is breaking down the story. Host Sarah Dandashy welcomed Ken Patel, CEO and Founder of EV Hotel Group and EV Human, a turnkey software solution for hotel management and guest experience. Patel spent over 20 years working in hotels and witnessing the archaic system. From his experience, he knew there had to be a better way. “I wanted to create a company that’s innovative and would revolutionize the industry,” he said. The pain points of hotels are mostly the same, no matter the city. Employees have too heavy a workload, causing disengagement and turnover. Guests have to wait in check-in lines or use outdated communication channels to get what they need. Patel’s platform seeks to bridge the gap between technology and old hospitality. The reality is that many don’t want to change. However, technology yields efficiency and many other revenue-specific benefits.Technology adoption is no longer an option to stay competitive. Patel shared, “Airbnb isn’t a hospitality company but a technology one, and it took 30% of revenue from hotels last year.”Convenience and ease matter to guests, and most consumers are even bigger tech users now because of the pandemic. What’s eye-opening for any hotel group is that more technology correlates to higher guest satisfaction. “With technology, employees can focus on the guest. Phase one is all about guest-facing technology for check-in. Then they can use a QR code to connect to the guest portal and communicate with any employee this way,” Patel explained. It also supports profitability. Patel said, “The data shows that 89% of hotels in the world have a lower operating cost when they implement tech and AI.”

In honor of International Women’s Month, Say Yes to Travel brings listeners to the story of Dolores Lopez Lira and her daughter Samantha Frachey. Lopez Lira is the founder and owner of Lomas Travel and El Dorado Resorts, while Frachey is the director of the hotel division.Lopez Lira spent many decades working for a hospitality brand before she and her husband started their own. They began in destination management, then transportation, then on to resorts throughout Mexico. “When we started the business, many clients came with us. We had a desire to create jobs in Mexico and offer the Mexican dream,” she shared.Even with the business's growth, Frachey said, “It’s still family-owned, and each property is unique.”In growing their hospitality empire, it was always a conscious decision to empower and support women. Lopez Lira said, “Women by nature are multi-taskers and responsible.” That’s a big reason why they have many women in leadership roles in the company and at the resorts.One of the most important ways they help women is through their human development center. “There are many single mothers who must leave their children behind to work. We help these women by empowering and educating them but also giving them a safe place for their children,” Frachey said.In the spirit of supporting families, the company has big news—the opening of Nickelodeon’s first Mexican resort. It will open later this summer. Construction never stopped on the project during the pandemic. It’s sure to be a must-visit for families when it launches.

Host Sarah Dandashy chatted with Evan Kharrazi, founder of Kharrazi Natural Health, a health coaching service for overworked hospitality professionals. Kharrazi has an interesting background as both a dancer and a hotel operations expert. He started this new journey last year after losing his hotel revenue manager job due to the pandemic. “I was depleted and went to Israel to reconnect. I found my purpose to help others who put others first,” he said. Kharrazi’s intent is to help hospitality workers prioritize self-care through his programs. He also wants to help their employers. “I want to help hotels take this on, so they can bring back staff to be in a headspace and physical space to deliver authentic service.”Kharrazi offered some tips on integrating self-care, including making it a habit, setting small achievable goals, and finding activities that people are passionate about. He also touched on the areas of nutrition, talking about the Integrative nutrition circle of life. “You’re looking at the full picture of what nourishes you, both off the plate and what you actually eat.”Kharrazi shared that he’ll be releasing a new app soon for self-care that includes everything from guided meditation to dance. For hospitality professionals, he wants to make self-care an easy, accessible process for all.

This episode's topic is private transportation, and host Sarah Dandashy spoke with David Seelinger, CEO of EmpireCLS. Dandashy, during her time as a concierge, often worked with the company.For over 30 years, he’s been a pioneer in the industry, which didn’t change due to COVID-19. “The pandemic hit the industry hard, but we saw it as an opportunity to redesign our business.”Seelinger and his team started a journey to revise driver protocols and cleaning.“It’s a pretty touchless process now. Our chauffeurs wear N95 masks. We have HEPA filters in all cars and offer guests a mask that’s individually wrapped,” he explained.They’ve also been using UVC light for sterilization. It’s now part of the AC and heating systems of buses. In the cars, drives use UV wands throughout the interior.Another new option is passengers can request a chauffeur take a COVID test before pickup. “We’ve had a lot of calls for this, which aligns with the business we have now, which is mostly private aviation,” Seelinger shared.EmpireCLS partnered with International SOS and worked with two infectious disease doctors to develop the standards, which they have certified.What makes his business different than other alternative transportation is that all drivers are employees, not independent contractors. Thus, the protocols are standardized and applicable to all drivers, no matter where they are.Seelinger is optimistic about recovery. The company took the downtime in the past year to develop a unique app with new features for customers. They are beta testing it right now and look forward to its launch once travel rebounds.

Lund spent 30 years with a large hotel brand, starting in operations then shifting to financial roles. What he learned was that non-financial folks in the business had no understanding of the numbers. This epiphany resulted in leaving his day job and starting The Hotel Financial Coach, training, teaching, and speaking on financial leadership.Lund stressed that every department head needs financial literacy. “Leaders need to be fully functional, managing their departments and their numbers,” he said.That insight is more important now after a disruptive year, one that came after 100 straight months of gains, leaving many hotel leaders complacent. “After so much demand, now brands have to reinvent themselves,” Lund noted.During the pandemic, he thought about what hospitality would look like if it didn’t exist and someone was dreaming it up. “What we wouldn’t see is the departmentality and silos. Instead, the model would be more multi-functional.”To do that, he offered some great tips. “Embrace technology and get a hold of your numbers. Half the hotels I talk to don’t get monthly financial statements, only once a year. How can you improve when you don’t know the score?”Lund also emphasized that an accounting degree isn’t a necessity to learn the numbers. He said, “Know your staffing formulas and how to manage expenses. Get fascinated by what your expenses are and control them. Being able to speak to the bottom line and strategy—that’s financial leadership.”Looking ahead to recovery for the industry, Lund replied, “It depends on your location and segment. So, recovery is from a segmentation point of view. Extended stays and resorts had good years in 2020. Next will be those that serve business travelers, and the last will be international business.”

Driven by consumer desires for new experiences, innovative technologies and environmental impacts – travel is changing. Host Sarah Dandashy explores the technologies and logistics that power travel and the brands that build unforgettable experiences.While most suitcases didn’t make it out of the closet in 2020, there’s optimism at the next stop in the travel industry. With more insights on travel’s challenges and opportunities, Say Yes to Travels’ Sarah Dandashy sits down with Zeke Adkins, Co-Founder of Luggage Forward. Luggage Forward is a doorstep to destination service for baggage that eliminates the need to check bags.Adkins explained, “We pick up luggage at your door and deliver it anywhere in the world. It’s a stress-free experience. Now with less demand, the added value is it minimizes risk at airports.”The pandemic put a halt on most trips, whether for work or pleasure. Cruises are some of the most popular types and a significant partner to Luggage Forward.“Cruisers are very loyal and can’t wait to cruise again. Demand is there, and hopefully, with the vaccine, we’ll turn the tide,” Adkins said.They also work closely with hotels, and Adkins is optimistic that both cruises and hotels will rebound. As for the message his company is presenting to customers. “We’ve recalibrated our marketing to be more we’re here if you need us. We want to be respectful of our position,” he commented.In looking forward, he agrees that COVID has changed things about travel, possibly forever. “Businesses were forced to see if remote work works, and it does. We’ll probably never see business travel numbers as we did in 2018. On the other side, leisure travel demand will be greater, with people wanting to take that trip of a lifetime,” Adkins shared.Many are anxiously awaiting a time when they can roam the world again, experiencing moments they only imagined. Hear more of Adkins' thoughts on travel trends by listening to the episode.

Hospitality has proven itself as one of the most resilient industries in the last year. The challenges have been massive, but many companies have rallied. Sharing thoughts on this topic, host Sarah Dandashy welcomed Pilar Arizmendi, VP of Sales and Marketing for the Palladium Hotel Group, Americas. Arizmendi leads a team that focuses on promoting properties to North American consumers. Palladium is a global hotel group with an impressive portfolio that includes many all-inclusive resorts. Dandashy first asked Arizmendi about how Palladium responded to the pandemic. She said, “We’ve been evolving, changing, and innovating to ensure the health and safety of travelers and employees, beginning with our White Book of health and safety protocols.”The book was once only 22 pages, and now it’s 350. The properties worked to ensure they were compliant with all government regulations and best practices. Arizmendi explained many of the new procedures. “ “A few examples include disinfecting of rooms and sealing them after and only opened at guest check-in, social distancing, contactless menus, and assisted buffets.”One unique offering of the organization is COVID-19 insurance for guests. They provide it at no cost and covers medical expenses should someone contract the disease while on property. Despite the chaotic year, Arizmendi was excited to talk about some of the awards properties won. They received numerous accolades in 2020, including Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, Conde Nast Traveler recognitions, and the TravelAge West Wave Editor’s Pick.Arizmendi credits the culture and the company's drive to redefine the travel experience for these awards. She also spoke about the company’s values and that ultimately, “We want to give guests peace of mind but also ensure they are comfortable and enjoy their vacation.”As for the future, Arizmendi is hopeful. “We will recover and bounce back as most of the population receives the vaccine. We look forward to welcoming you back,” she said.

The cruise industry has a devoted following, but the pandemic has kept most ships at port. As travel begins to rebound, what’s next for cruising? Host Sarah Dandashy hopes for a fresh outlook in 2021 and invited cruising industry veteran Bill Panoff, CEO of PPI Group and editor in chief of cruise magazine Porthole Magazine, to discuss what’s next.Panoff, inspired by the TV show The Love Boat, knew he wanted a career on a cruise boat. He got his first break by being persistent, hyping his magic tricks. “Eventually, I wore the cruise director down, and he put me on an 800-passenger ship,” he said.His magic career bombed, but the connections he made with passengers and his likability kept him on board. He eventually became a cruise director but realized he wanted a more normal life on land. Not willing to give up his love of cruising, he started Porthole Magazine, the first of its kind. Of course, cruising had a trying year due to the pandemic, but Panoff is optimistic about the future.“The cruise lines are rethinking the experience, keeping safety in mind. But the consumer demand is there, as cruisers are very loyal,” he added. He expects cruising to pick back up this spring with shorter itineraries, fewer port stops, lower capacity, and changes inside the ship. “Cruises to nowhere could be popular, as many ports remain closed to ships. Private island stops will work. Theaters will have a lower capacity, and dining will be different with no buffets,” Panoff said.Cruising is an experience-driven type of travel, so they’ll be looking at new ways to make connections but ensure safety. For cruise fans, they can get updates on when cruises will be back, what to expect in the future, and more at porthole.com.

Last year, the travel industry experienced disruptions like never before due to COVID-19. This trillion-dollar global industry was more than just a business—it was a part of the human experience. With lockdown orders and basically no ability to travel outside one’s country, consumers began to find creative ways to see beyond their back door. Frank Martini, President of Yankee Leisure Group, a rail vacation agency, witnessed some notable trends in 2020. One of which was a revival in train travel.Train travel fit perfectly for what people were looking for in 2020. Trains aren’t just for commuting, a misconception. In a normal year, AMTRAK moves about 33 million people a year. “About 90% of the travel we book on AMTRAK Vacations is in private sleepers, and around 70% is travel to national parks, so as the pandemic happened, we were perfectly positioned,” Martini commented.Train travel has a somewhat nostalgic sense about it; many counting it as something on their bucket list. It also doesn’t have some of the negatives of air travel. Martini said, “I don't think I've ever met anyone who, when they hear rail travel, whether they've traveled or not by rail, it doesn't put a smile on their face."The “train effect” became popular for travelers in 2020, as Martini explained, “One, rail travel lends itself to private travel, and second, many of the routes have destinations at national parks, which were very popular in 2020.”Travelers possibly perceived trains to be safer because of the private cars, separate boarding, and meal delivery to rooms. There was no group congregation like other modes of travel. These positives, along with the allure of a train experience, gained many new travelers, with 67% of the company’s bookings being first-timers.Another unique aspect of Yankee Leisure Group is that itineraries come from travelers. Every week, their analysts review common combinations that consumers created. If it makes sense, they package it as an itinerary. They can do all this within only 48 hours, so it’s an almost real-time response to customer demand. “We launched 175 new itineraries since COVID, all designed by what customers were purchasing,” Martini added.