Technology is changing the way hotels operate, from how guests choose where to stay to how businesses manage pricing and performance. But as Raki Phillips explains, hospitality still comes down to the experience guests have and whether they want to come back.
Raki Phillips also shares his perspective on protecting room rates during periods of disruption, the resilience of the UAE's tourism industry, and the growth opportunities across the Middle East and Africa.
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction 4:05 How hotel groups decide where to open new properties 7:34 The opportunities and risks of investing in Africa 14:50 Why the guest experience matters more than the numbers 16:20 How the UAE's tourism industry is handling disruption 28:49 Hotel occupancy, profitability and protecting room rates 32:02 What UAE travel figures reveal about the industry's recovery 40:32 How AI is changing the way people book hotels 41:26 Will hotel brands still matter when AI chooses where you stay? 43:55 Why hospitality still needs a personal touch 45:15 How technology could transform the hotel guest experience 48:25 Why hotel pricing needs to change 51:39 The difference between being an entrepreneur and a corporate leader 1:01:18 Why Rakki Phillips believes in the UAE's long-term future 1:03:01 How hotels can adapt and generate revenue during a crisis 1:08:52 What makes guests choose one hotel over another 1:10:04 Where Rakki Phillips would invest $500 million in hospitality 1:12:19 Why Africa could be the future of hospitality growth
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Spencer Lodge. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Spencer Lodge och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
