In today's episode, we are meeting Andrea Filippi, Chief Commercial Officer of the Italian hotel management group, Egnazia.

Andrea gives us an overview of his extensive background in luxury hospitality and the unique offerings of Egnazia.

He shares insights into the evolving trends in the hospitality industry, the importance of personal wellbeing, and the significance of immersive experiences for guests.

Andrea also discusses the diverse clientele of Egnazia and highlights some of his favourite destinations and hotels, including the hidden gem of Maratea on the Amalfi Coast and the iconic Borgo Egnazia.

Takeaways

• Andrea's journey in hospitality began with a fascination for meeting people.
• Egnazia focuses on enhancing local culture and providing unique experiences.
• Personal well-being is becoming central to guests' choices in travel.
• Guests are increasingly seeking immersive experiences beyond traditional offerings.
• Traveling during shoulder seasons is a growing trend among clients.
• The average length of stay is increasing as guests seek deeper connections with destinations.
• Experiences that promote local heritage are highly valued by guests.
• Andrea emphasizes the importance of personal relationships in the hospitality industry.
• Maratea is a hidden gem in Italy, offering authentic experiences.
• Borgo Egnazia has hosted high-profile events, making it a sought-after destination.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Andrea and Egnazia
• 03:06 Andrea's Journey in Luxury Hospitality
• 05:59 Overview of Egnazia's Unique Offerings
• 08:51 Understanding the Clientele and Trends
• 11:57 Demand Trends and Guest Experiences
• 15:00 The Importance of Unique Experiences
• 18:01 Andrea's Recommendations and Personal Favourites

In this episode, we meet Flavio Bucciarelli from Erqole, discussing his background in hospitality, the unique offerings of the Erqole Group, and the company's philosophy of personalised service through storytelling.

Flavio shares insights into the target audience for their luxury properties in Porto Ercole, the importance of local employment, and the authentic, exciting and relaxing activities available for guests. Finally, we discover how Flavio has hospitality in his blood and we also hear about his own travel preferences with his family.

• Flavio mentioned a recent article by Conde Naste about Porto Ercole. Here it is.

Chapters

• 00:00 Flavio Bucciarelli's Background in Hospitality
• 03:14 Overview of Erqole Group and Its Vision
• 06:55 Target Audience and Unique Selling Points
• 12:44 The Philosophy of Storytelling in Service
• 17:04 Activities and Experiences Offered
• 20:20 Flavio's message to Travel Buyers and Planners
• 26:29 Flavio's Personal Travel Insights

Keywords

hospitality, Erqole Group, travel, luxury, Porto Ercole, Italy, storytelling, customer experience, travel planning, agritourism

In this episode, we meet Keith Waldon, Founder & Director of Luxury Travel Advisors, Departure Lounge. Keith shares his journey in the luxury travel industry, discussing the founding of his company, the importance of kindness and professionalism in business, and the role of technology in enhancing customer experiences. He reflects on post-COVID travel trends, the evolution of customer discovery through social media, and the significance of strong supplier relationships. Keith also shares personal insights about his favourite travel destinations and his vision for the future of travel.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Four Seasons San Domenico Palace, Taormina
• Palazzo Portinari Salviati, Florence

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Keith Walden and Departure Lounge

02:52 The Birth of Departure Lounge

06:08 Culture of Kindness and Professionalism

09:02 Technology and Innovation in Travel

12:00 Post-COVID Travel Trends

14:50 Customer Discovery in the Digital Age

18:05 Supplier Relationships and Partnerships

21:03 Personal Insights and Travel Preferences