Matt Talks Hospitality: Real conversations for innovative hoteliers – Details, episodes & analysis

Matt sits down with Michael Fitzsimmons, VP of Growth at Mews. 
They dive into why a hotel’s website is much more than just a place for booking, it's your digital front door, the first impression, the first experience and essentially the business card of the property. 

They explore how a strong, well-designed online presence can make all the difference in converting casual browsers into loyal, paying guests, and why investing in your hotels digital storefront is no longer a nice to have, it's key for growth in competitive markets. 

Check out the previous episode on website strategies and direct bookings - https://hubs.ly/Q03lNLfr0

#hoteltech #websitedesign #hotelwebsites #hotelmanagment #hospitality #hospitalitypodcast 

0:00 - Introduction to Hotel Websites  
0:51 - Michael Fitzsimmons' Background  
1:52 - Personal Travel Booking Journey  
3:05 - Importance of SEO in Hotel Discovery  
4:23 - The Evolving Role of Hotel Websites  
5:36 - Website Goals: Conversion vs. Information  
9:11 - Hiring for Hotel Digital Strategy  
11:36 - User-Friendly Website Platforms 
12:56 - Impact of AI on SEO and Website Traffic  
14:48 - Identifying Relevant Topics for Travelers  
16:37 - Analyzing Engagement Metrics  
18:09 - Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality  
20:50 - The Role of Influencers in Hotel Marketing  
21:47 - Aligning Brand and Guest Experience  
23:19 - The Value of Chatbots in Customer Engagement  
25:18 - Determining Advertising Budgets  
27:57 - Exploring Cost-Free Growth Channels  
28:51 - Leveraging Personal Platforms for Engagement  
30:04 - Empathy in Content Creation  
31:11 - Addressing Booking Abandonment  
32:35 - Building Direct Relationships with Guests  
34:54 - Utilizing CRM for Guest Retention  
37:48 - Memorable Hotel Experiences

Matt dives into his love of pop culture—think Beyoncé and Taylor Swift—and how their approach to performance, feedback, and fan connection can inspire the hospitality world. He shares early hospitality stories, the value of emotional intelligence, and why creativity is key to building memorable, guest-first experiences.

Learn more about the podcast here: https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

Meet Matt Welle, CEO of Mews - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthijswelle/

In this episode, Matt chats with Conor Winders, VP of Product & Engineering at Mews, on AI's impact in hospitality. They discuss cutting-edge travel tech, AI adoption, and the future of invisible hospitality.

Curious about AI opportunities and where to start? Conor shares expert insights and advice—don’t miss it!

Episodes drop here first - https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0
Further reading - https://www.mews.com/en/blog/how-ai-is-shaping-hospitality

Upselling is a game-changer for boosting hotel revenue, but let’s be honest, it can feel awkward for both staff and guests. This week, Matt reveals how to turn upselling into a seamless, high-converting opportunity. From the best moments to upsell to leveraging technology for higher success rates, making it feel natural (even personalized!), and empowering teams with the right training, he’s covering it all. Don't leave money on the table, tune in and start maximizing every guest interaction!

Video version - https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

Guest loyalty isn’t just about stacking up points and perks—it’s about crafting unforgettable moments that keep guests coming back for more (and telling their friends!). It’s one of Matt’s favorite topics, and he’s sharing some top tips and key takeaways that any property—yes, including independent hotels—can use to turn happy guests into lifelong fans. 🚀💙

Catch the video version here - https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

In this episode, we’re unlocking one of the biggest challenges in hotel operations—literally! Our in-house door lock guru is here to crack open the world of hotel locks, where outdated hardware can stick around for decades, limiting opportunities for innovation. We’ll delve into the challenges and explore ways to modernize your tech and hardware stack to create a smoother, smarter guest experience. 

If you prefer video - https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

Matt reveals how embedded payments are transforming the guest experience—and your bottom line. He’ll challenge the way you think about pre-authorizations, show you why direct bookings are more valuable than ever, and share how to finally put an end to those frustrating chargebacks. Don't miss this game-changing lesson!

Check out our main hub and video content here: https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

#payments #hospitality 

Matt’s passion for data is a constant at Mews, and today, we’re excited to share it with a broader audience. Data is a powerful tool—not only for advancing our business but for driving yours forward as well. Matt explores how hotels can leverage data, from existing insights to innovative ideas for the future. He also highlights key examples and tech partners that can empower hoteliers to make smarter decisions, streamline operations, and boost revenue. 

More insights here: https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

#propertymanagementsystem #automaton  #hospitalitytech #hotels #hospitalitytechnology #hospitality #hospitalitypodcast

In this session of Matt Talks, we’ll explore four pivotal global trends that are set to influence the hospitality sector in 2025: the rise of AI adoption, evolving productivity strategies, growing reliance on OTAs, and the expansion of diversified revenue streams. Our goal is to provide you with valuable insights to help you plan for a successful and prosperous year ahead.

More episodes here: https://hubs.ly/Q0350wrf0

A kiosk can offer a simple low-cost solution to eliminate check-in queues, improve efficiency – even with reduced staff, and unlock extra revenue for a hotel. Hear from Matt who offers some advice on the secrets to kiosk success.
To watch the video version - https://www.mews.com/en/resources/matt-talks#ep3