If you were to look at her resume, it would tell you that Vanessa Osbourne, founder of Smart Hotel Manager, has spent her career solving complex issues and helping companies avoid costly mistakes to the tune of 7 to 20 million dollars a day. Her experience paints the picture of a highly motivated, highly accomplished woman who has found her foothold as a leader in high-stakes environments.
Mental Health Awareness in Hospitality
In hospitality, it’s the people who make the experience. From front-of-house to back-of-house, bar teams to boardrooms, it’s the care, passion and hard work of hospitality professionals that shape each guest interaction. Yet too often, those very teams are running on empty.
Travelodge to Open New Hotel as Part of Watford Riverwell Regeneration Scheme
Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel brand, which operates over 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has exchanged contracts to develop a new 131-bedroom hotel in Watford.
Artificial Incompetence: An Undesirable Version of AI and Other CX Risks
I’ve been reviewing my customer experience research, specifically the section on the future of customer service and AI (Artificial Intelligence). A few findings prove that customers are frustrated and lack confidence in how companies are using AI:
The Evolution of Revenue, Distribution, and Commercial Management
The evolution of revenue, distribution, and commercial management fundamentally shapes how the hospitality industry operates. Hotels are increasingly recognizing that their sales, marketing, and revenue strategies can no longer operate in isolation. Guest expectations are also shifting. Traditional silos are breaking down. This leads to integrated, data-driven approaches. A guest-centric focus is emerging. Commercial management is at the forefront, taking a holistic view. This includes revenue generation. It optimizes distribution. It also covers strategic sales and marketing. Shiji Insights spoke with Annemarie Gubanski, CEO of Taktikon. We discussed these critical shifts. Her insights reveal a combination of human intuition and tech intelligence.
Every Story Counts: How Leonardo Hotels is Embracing Diversity
Leonardo Hotels will be marking Diversity Day on 27 May by demonstrating how diversity is an integral part of everyday working life. This will involve the portrayal of genuine stories and honest points of view and the showcasing of an environment which fosters uniqueness.
International Tourist Arrivals Grew 5% in Q1 2025
International tourist arrivals (overnight visitors) increased by 5% in the first quarter of 2025 though results were mixed among regions and sub-regions.
Hotel Cipriani, a Belmond Hotel, Venice Perpetuates Its Legendary Legacy with Peter Marino
Hotel Cipriani: few names have evoked such a sense of timeless glamour, cinematic allure and elegance, in Venice and beyond. Today, Belmond is delighted to introduce the vision of famed architect and interior designer Peter Marino, entrusted to perpetuate the cultural significance and incomparable legacy of this enchanting Venetian icon. The multi
Fill Rooms, Boost Revenue, Save Time: Free Course Empowers Independent Hoteliers for Summer 2025
Just in time for the busy travel season, Lighthouse has created a free online course specially designed for passionate independent hoteliers like you. The course, “How to prepare your independent hotel for peak season 2025,” gives you practical tools to boost your bottom line, simplify your daily routine, and create those unforgettable guest experiences that big chains can’t match.
Kendall LaRue: Connecting guests with nature and one another at LOGE
How do you create a truly memorable hospitality experience that keeps guests coming back? In this episode of The Turndown, James Kendall LaRue, COO of LOGE, shares his journey from consulting to leading an innovative hospitality brand that prioritizes community and authenticity. With properties designed to get guests out of their rooms and connected with each other and the outdoors, LOGE blends technology and personalized hospitality to create memorable moments across its growing network of experiential stays.

