The Spotlight: A Lighthouse Podcast

On today’s Quick Take, we’re stirring up a little friendly rivalry: Milan vs. Paris. We'll explore how each city’s Fashion Week impacts hotel pricing and performance. We break down year-over-year trends by star class across both seasonal collections: 📉 Milan: pricing softness for Spring/Summer and only modest improvement for Fall/Winter 📈 Paris: strong pricing growth across every segment, with standout gains at the luxury end Then we translate the data into practical takeaways for hoteliers: how to tier your rate strategy, spot whether demand is inelastic (luxury-led) or price-sensitive (volume-led), and maximize RevPAR during major event weeks. If you’re in hospitality, revenue management, or tracking event-driven demand, or a fashionista, this one’s for you. Key topics in this video ✅ Milan Spring/Summer vs Fall/Winter hotel pricing performance ✅ Paris Spring/Summer vs Fall/Winter growth (by star tier) ✅ Luxury demand elasticity and the “fashion hierarchy” effect ✅ Event-week pricing strategy tips to protect and grow RevPAR Subscribe for more Lighthouse Quick Takes on hotel performance, pricing strategy, and market trends.

In this episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we were lucky enough to land an interview with Fernando Vives, Chief Commercial officer of one of the fastest-growing hotel chains in the world. Fernando is a seasoned hospitality industry expert, and in this interview he shares his journey from a computer science enthusiast to a C-suite executive at Minor Hotels. In this podcast episode, Daniel and Laura talk with Fernando about his path to revenue management, the transition to leadership roles, and the importance of branding, Minor's rollout of their exciting new product tiers and brands, and general market trends in the hotel industry. Fernando also delves into the current state of the industry, the resilience of branded hotels, and the future of AI in hospitality.

Can a Netflix drama drive real-world hotel bookings? In this episode of Lighthouse Quick Takes, Blake Reiter breaks down how the Season 3 premiere of Bridgerton created ripple effects in the hospitality market of Bath, England – the show's real-life backdrop.We dive into three key hospitality metrics around the May 16, 2024, release date:21.5% surge in hotel search volume in just two weeks2.4% increase in advertised summer hotel rates4% year-over-year boost in May occupancyBath, already host to the annual Bath Festival, appears to have ridden a second wave of interest thanks to Bridgerton’s allure. Whether you're a revenue manager, destination marketer, or just love data-backed stories about pop culture’s economic impact, this one’s for you.

The Winter Olympics are coming to Milan—and hoteliers across the globe are watching closely. In this Lighthouse Quick Take, Blake Reiter dives into the hotel pricing trends leading up to the 2026 Winter Olympiad in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. Drawing comparisons to Paris 2024, this video breaks down how three-star, four-star, and five-star hotel pricing is evolving in the months before the games.

In this conversation, Daniel and Blake examine the shifting balance between hotels and short-term rentals, drawing on new data from Booking.com searches. They discuss why the share of short-term rentals surged and then stabilized, how seasonality and market size shape visibility, and what the new Listing Multiple metric reveals about distribution strategy. The discussion also explores regulation’s influence on supply, the varying regional impact from Europe to Malaysia, and Lighthouse’s new Short-Term Rental Market Impact Index designed to quantify local competitive pressure.

This episode of the Spotlight podcast was recorded live in London at our first ever Lighthouse Luminate London event in April 2025! Daniel and Blake sat down for a interview with Ingela Heintz (Norlandia Hotels) and Kelly Cronin (Village Hotels), two industry leaders who are re-shaping commercial strategy at their organizations.In this episode we touch on the theme of how revenue management is evolving in the hospitality industry, emphasizing the shift from a focus solely on room rates to a broader commercial strategy. Also, Kelly and Ingela both share some unique experiences and insights on how hotels can create memorable guest experiences beyond just providing a room. The conversation explores the importance of community engagement, cross-departmental collaboration, and attracting talent to the industry. The episode concludes with advice for aspiring hospitality professionals, highlighting the value of saying yes to opportunities and the appeal of the hospitality industry for the younger generation.

In this Episode of the Spotlight Podcast, we talk with Jason D'Agostino of Visions Hotels about the evolving role of revenue managers in the hospitality industry, particularly in the context of increasing data complexity and the integration of AI technologies. We'll talk all about how revenue managers are adapting to new tools and challenges as data gets more complicated and AI becomes commonplace. In the second half we focus on how RMs can use AI to enhance efficiency and decision-making processes, and even brainstorm a few ideas of what we'd like to see from AI. A huge thank you to Jason for taking the time to sit down and have this chat!

In this episode of the Spotlight podcast, Daniel and Blake discuss the pricing and revenue management implications of playoff games for hoteliers. They explore how playoff games can significantly impact hotel pricing and occupancy rates, emphasizing the importance of understanding market dynamics, star power, and strategic pricing. The conversation covers various sports, including NFL, MLB, and Champions League Football, and highlights the need for revenue managers to stay informed about team performances and market conditions to optimize revenue during these high-demand events.

In this conversation, Daniel and David delve into the current state of revenue management education, discussing its evolution, challenges, and the importance of applied learning. They explore the integration of sales and revenue management, the role of creativity in commercial strategy, and the need for efficiency in sales models. The discussion also highlights the founding of FUSED Topline and its innovative approach to revenue management and fractional sales, as well as reflections on success and the future of the hospitality industry.

In this live episode of The Spotlight Podcast, Daniel, Blake, Kerry, and Jennifer share stories of successes (and failures), innovative approaches to revenue management, and how to go against the grain and make an impact in the organization. They emphasize the importance of collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and the balance between intuition and analytics in the hospitality industry, but also times where we made 'gut feel' decisions that. This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at our first ever Luminate conference held in NYC in April of 2025.

In this conversation, Ed and Daniel talk through the rise of multi-generational travel, what makes the Evermore Resort so unique, the growing demand for larger accommodations, the competitive landscape of short-term rentals in Orlando, and the strategies employed to attract international guests. Ed also shares insights into the luxury resort market and the innovative revenue management practices at Evermore, emphasizing the importance of guest experience and satisfaction.

In this episode of The Spotlight podcast, we were lucky enough to have 2 special guests, Nadine from our Product team, and Jordan Hollander, Co-Founder of Hotel Tech Report! In this conversation we'll explore the transformative impact of AI on the hotel technology sector, discussing how it unlocks underutilized software features, the evolution of funding in hotel tech, and the future of jobs in hospitality.

In this episode of the Lighthouse podcast Daniel discusses some recent case studies involving 3 different hotels and 3 different revenue managers.In the first case study, Aditya Patel explains how creative pricing studies helped him improve his occupancy ranking.In the second case study Virginia McShane explains how optimizing her marketing mix (and taking less group business) at a popular boutique hotel became a winning strategy.Then, finally Daniel talks with Adam Dwiggins about how digital strategy helped boost occupancy at a hotel in a college market.

00:00 - 00:53 - Intro 00:54 - 04:05 - [1] Hotels hit affordability ceiling 04:06 - 05:30 - [2] Latin America breaking the mold 05:31 - 07:08 - [3] A tale of cautious optimism in Asia Pacific 07:09 - 08:20 - [4] Sun and Sand Destinations Reign Supreme 08:21 - 10:15 - [5] Riyadh and Saudi Arabia's fast growth bucks Middle East Trends 10:16 - 13:08 - [6] Struggling Asian MarketsIn this conversation, Daniel and Blake unpack six insights from Lighthouse’s H1 2024 Global Hotel Pricing Report. They discuss how hotels have reached an affordability ceiling as consumer savings erode, and how travel preferences are shifting toward alternative accommodations. The discussion highlights Latin America’s standout price growth, cautious optimism across Asia Pacific, and the resurgence of sun-and-sand destinations over cultural cities. Blake also explores Riyadh’s rapid rise driven by high-profile sporting events and the continued uneven recovery in Asian markets reliant on outbound Chinese tourism. Together, they connect pricing trends with traveler behavior, regional economics, and demand seasonality shaping global hotel performance.Download the report here: https://www.mylighthouse.com/resources/insights/report-global-hotel-pricing-h1-2024Sources Referenced:[1.1] -https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/PSAVERT[1.2] https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/focus/transportation/2024-summer-leisure-travel-trends.html[2] https://www.mastercardservices.com/en/advisors/economic-consulting/insights/economic-outlook-2024-latin-america[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/china/chinese-outbound-travel-recovery-lags-due-costs-visa-snags-2024-06-16/[6 ]https://www.tourism.jp/en/statistics/

In part two of our interview, we continue the deep dive into cancellations with Daniel Foreman and Connor Vanderholm as they explore effective oversell strategies. Learn how to confidently oversell rooms to ensure full occupancy, even with last-minute cancellations. This episode equips you with best practices for setting oversell limits, managing guest expectations, and balancing the risks and rewards of overbooking, ensuring you can maintain high occupancy rates without compromising customer satisfaction.To follow along with this episode on the blog, go to www.mylighthouse.com/podcast.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.

In the first part of this two-part series on cancellations, Daniel Foreman and Connor Vanderholm tackle the challenges and opportunities cancellations present. Learn how to predict and manage cancellations, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for higher revenue. This episode provides the strategies and tools needed to accurately forecast cancellations and implement overbooking strategies that keep your occupancy and revenue on track.To follow along with this episode on the blog, go to www.mylighthouse.com/podcast.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.

Daniel Foreman, alongside Nick Larsen and Kim Welch from Schulte Hospitality, explores the art and science of market segmentation. Discover the importance of identifying and targeting distinct guest segments to refine your booking strategies. This episode guides you through balancing your market mix, tailoring offerings, and driving higher revenue through strategic segmentation, empowering you to make decisions that enhance your market positioning.To follow along with this episode on the blog, go to www.mylighthouse.com/podcast.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.

Dive into the complexities of rate evolution with Daniel Foreman and Brandon Burtis from Pacifica Hotels. This episode demystifies dynamic pricing strategies, showcasing how adjusting room rates in real-time can drive significant revenue growth. With practical scenarios, you’ll learn how to set and modify rates to stay competitive and maximize profits, turning rate management into a powerful tool for success.To follow along with this episode on the blog, go to www.mylighthouse.com/podcast.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.

Join Daniel Foreman and Jeff Eskew from Lighthouse's Revenue Strategy Services team as they unravel the critical role of demand drivers in shaping the booking curve. Through compelling real-world examples, including a high-stakes college football game night and a routine midweek sellout, this episode reveals how to harness demand factors to optimize occupancy and revenue. Transform your approach to booking strategies with insights that empower you to make informed, data-driven decisions.To follow along with this episode on the blog, go to www.mylighthouse.com/podcast.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.

Welcome to The Spotlight, a new podcast from Lighthouse (formerly OTA Insight) where travel & hospitality professionals come to sharpen their revenue management strategies.In the first season, The Art of the Sellout, join our host Daniel Foreman, Commercial Strategist at Lighthouse, as he explores the fine balance of achieving 100% occupancy alongside experienced revenue leaders from companies like Schulte Hospitality Group, Pacifica and Topline Revenue Management.Each episode dissects the crucial elements for achieving a sellout without leaving it to chance. Using examples from the field and insights powered by cutting-edge tools, we’ll help you predict and act on market shifts with accuracy and ease. It’s more than just filling rooms; it’s about creating a strategic advantage that drives your property’s longevity and success.Step into The Spotlight with us as we illuminate the path to planning your perfect sellout strategy.From Lighthouse, formerly OTA Insight, this is The Spotlight Season 1: The Art of the Sellout. Coming June 11. Listen wherever you get your podcasts.Request your personalized demo of the Lighthouse commercial platform at www.mylighthouse.com/podcastdemo.