Nature Vacations, Sustainable Water Bottles, and Disney Experiences

Thank you to everyone who attended our first Hospitality Mentor networking event. Over 200 of you showed up (I’m still blown away) and we’re already planning the next one! If you couldn’t make it, see what you missed here and if you did, thank you again, and let me know if you find yourself in the photos! 

In our August issue, we’re covering: 

• Proof that the trend of nature-driven travel is here to stay

• A fully sustainable water bottle solution 

• How to succeed in the vacation rental industry 

• Why Disney vacations continue to inspire me

This issue is brought to you by Biscayne Coffee, delicious coffee roasted in Miami with the mission of saving Biscayne Bay. Use promo code MENTOR for 10% off your order at checkout. Don’t forget – we always donate 10% of your purchase to Biscayne Bay Foundation to help preserve the bay.

🛎 What's Hot in Hospitality

Under Canvas at Zion National Park | Credit: Bailey Made

More and more, travelers are looking to reconnect with nature and seeking unique accommodations that let them experience the beauty of the outdoors without roughing it. Glamping (or glamorous camping, as we covered in a previous edition) comes in all forms these days, from tents to cabins to RV trailers. And while outdoor recreation picked up during the pandemic when people were looking for safe travel experiences and ways to vacation solo, don’t think it’s just a passing fad. Two CEOs of hotel companies that I’ve spoken to recently told me that they’re aggressively looking into the area of nature-oriented vacations, as they see it as a long-term trend.

Camp Sarika by Amangiri

There are pioneering hotel brands that celebrate the outdoors by merging hospitality with nature – think of Aman’s ultra-luxury resorts and retreats in some of the most remote destinations on Earth or even 1 Hotels, which honors sustainability and the environment even in urban settings.

But now we’re also seeing large companies in the hotel industry invest in emerging outdoor and adventure hospitality businesses. Starwood Capital Group announced a new hotel brand called Field & Stream Lodge (inspired by the outdoor recreation retailer of the same name) that will have hotels in scenic outdoor destinations like woods, ski mountains, lakes and deserts. Under Canvas, which operates luxury tent sites near national parks, is backed by KSL Capital, which invests in travel and leisure businesses. And real estate investment trust Summit Hotel Properties has partnered with Onera Escapes, which operates over 300 glamping and alternative lodging options that blend seamlessly with nature.

🍸 What I'm Sipping

We might often focus on wine and spirits in this section of the newsletter, but we know how important hydration is to our daily health, and so is the sustainability of earth’s natural resources. I was recently introduced to KOPU Water, an eco-friendly artesian spring water brand packaged in fully recyclable aluminum bottles. Touted as the most sustainable water bottle on the market, KOPU has been recognized as the official luxury water brand of Forbes Travel Guide and is an ideal solution for hotels and restaurants looking for a sustainable water bottle option. 

The bottle was designed as a more eco-friendly alternative to glass and plastic, and the water is sourced from a spring thousands of feet below the dormant volcanoes of Oregon’s Cascade Range. KOPU Spring has a soft luxurious taste with an alkaline pH of 8.0, which is meant to offset many of the acidic beverages you might drink throughout the day, like coffee. If you prefer your drinks bubbly, KOPU Sparkling is infused with fine champagne-like bubbles that deliver a velvety sensation.

I met KOPU co-founder Justin Mahy at our Hospitality Mentor networking event last month, and he invited me to a sustainability event with the James Beard Foundation that KOPU was participating in the following week. And now, a month later, I’m on KOPU Water’s advisory board – it’s amazing what collaboration can do, and this is only one example of the kinds of new relationships and partnerships we were hoping would come out of our first networking event!

“KOPU has a track record of growing the profitability of client water programs and is connected to a stewardship program that is free and picks up all empty KOPU bottles and other aluminum cans and ensures recycling. In 2022 alone one Miami hotel eliminated 52 tons of glass bottle landfill waste.” - Justin Mahy

If you’re interested in learning more about water, you’ll love watching these viral videos from Water Sommelier (yes, it’s a thing) Martin Riese.

📝 What I'm Working On

Vacation rental furnished by Fülhaus | Image courtesy Fülhaus

You might have been hearing about an apocalyptic “Airbnbust” in the news over the last few months and think that the vacation rental industry is collapsing. But the truth is booking and revenue declines are only an issue for inexperienced short-term rental owners who aren’t marketing or operating their properties successfully. And that’s where our expert team of hospitality professionals at Tangy Management can step into help! 

The vacation homes that are outperforming have invested in the right marketing assets like high-quality photography to generate bookings, as well as premium furniture that not only stands out visually in listings but withstands the test of time – no matter how many guests check in and out – and of course, an exceptional guest experience that results in glowing reviews which attract future vacationers. 

We’ve brought on some great new partners to help us offer enhancements to the guest experience at our Tangy properties. For instance, we’re working with Fülhaus – an AI-powered interior design and furnishing service for hotels, short-term rental properties, and homes – to upgrade new and existing clients’ rental properties with eye-catching, commercial-grade furniture in their homes.

A guest order from RoomBox

And we’ve also brought on RoomBox, a delivery service that lets guests pre-order anything from groceries to floral arrangements, celebratory balloons, or curated boxes of unique local amenities and have it delivered to their accommodation so it’s pre-stocked upon arrival.

💭What I'm Inspired By

Halloween Decor Up At Magic Kingdom

You might say I’m becoming a bit of a Disney fan boy, considering we’ve covered Disney vacation experiences – from the theme park restaurants to the cruise line’s coffee shop – here on The Hospitality Mentor a few times before. After a recent weeklong trip to Walt Disney World with my family, I can once again say I’m inspired by the Disney team’s commitment to guest experience – even when faced with extreme weather, thanks to Florida’s scorching summers. We stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, visited each of the four theme parks, dined only at restaurants and lounges on property without leaving the Disney bubble, and wrapped up the week at opening night of Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween party (yes, in August, but Disney does what sells).

With all of us facing excessive heat warnings, Disney cast members (as they call their employees) – even the ones dressed in full costume and themed uniforms – kept their cool with heated guests and provided exceptional service. You could feel the passion (and patience) at every turn. I spoke to many of them and asked how they’re able to do it? The answer, consistently, was the same sentiment: “We love helping families like yours create memories that will last forever.” It was a motivating reminder of what makes our industry so special and the impact we have on guests each and every day.

Are you hiring staff with hospitality in their blood? Or are you training and empowering them to create lasting memories? If you need help with guest service standards and training, send me an email at Steve@TurkHV.com.

Read more about my trip and some of Disney World’s top dining experiences here.

🎙 Listen: The Podcast

Have you listened to our latest mashup episodes? If you’re interested in taking the path of entrepreneurship in hospitality like I did, you’ve got to listen to our Entrepreneur Tips & Tricks episode, featuring ​​Paul Breslin as he shares why he started his own business, Horwath HTL, and how he built a loyal client base; Josh Johnston talking about the ups and downs of building his company TrayAway; Buzzy Sklar telling the story of how he decided to launch a mango liqueur and what it’s been like growing his company Tropical Distillers; and Zack Bush from Madroom Hospitality as he shares his recipe for success in nightlife and entertainment.

Be sure to tune into upcoming September episodes to hear from Josiah Mackenzie, host and producer of the Hospitality Daily podcast; Isabel Porzecanski, President of People Traction, a human resources firm helping organizations achieve their full potential by unlocking what’s possible for your people; and Virgi Schiffino-Kennedy of Lux Voyage, a travel consultancy curating highly personalized journeys for discerning travelers.

This issue is brought to you by Biscayne Coffee. Use promo code MENTOR for 10% off your order at checkout.

If you’ve read this far, send me a short reply and let me know what you enjoyed most from this newsletter. See you again in September! 

If you found this edition helpful, feel free to forward it on or leave a comment on my LinkedIn Newsletter to help spread the word about The Hospitality Mentor. It only takes a few seconds and makes a huge difference.

Cheers,

Steve Turk

Founder and Host of The Hospitality Mentor