Revenue, Experience and Growth in Hospitality: New Forest Roundtable (Part 2)

How do we grow revenue, enhance experience and think about expansion when guest expectations are rising and operating pressure hasn’t eased?In Part 2 of our New Forest Roundtable, recorded live at New Park Manor Hotel as part of the Hospitality Discussions UK Roundtable Roadshow, we move the conversation forward - shifting focus from cost and pressure to opportunity. Together with hotel leaders, operators and industry partners, we explore how hospitality businesses are rethinking revenue generation, guest relationships and long-term growth.Featuring Sharon Cowley from Netaffinity (silver sponsor) Prem Jethwa-Odedra of Biteluxe (Bronze sponsor) and Scot Turner from Auden Hospitality (silver sponsor), Alessandra Leoni of Focus on Hospitality our Platinum sponsor and Paul Wells from Studio Moren (bronze sponsor).This episode digs into the practical realities behind direct bookings, personalisation, technology, AI and physical space and how all of these choices shape not just guest experience, but staff experience and leadership confidence too.What We Explore- Revenue Beyond the Room: How hotels are reducing reliance on OTAs, using data and personas to drive direct bookings, and creating more meaningful upsell and experience-led revenue.- Experience as a System, Not a Moment: Why guest experience starts long before arrival and extends beyond checkout - from digital journeys and pre-arrival communication to staff experience and leadership culture.- Expansion, Design and the Role of AI: How hotels are thinking differently about growth - through better use of space, learning from other sectors, and using AI to remove friction without losing the human touch.As we wrap up this second session, one thing becomes clear: experience is no longer just about the guest. It lives in systems, spaces, data, leadership decisions and how supported teams feel day to day. Growth doesn’t come from chasing every opportunity, but from making clearer choices about who we serve, how we serve them, and where we invest next.Hoteliers' Voice is one of FeedSpot's top Hospitality Podcasts and is produced by Urban Podcasts.