The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald

In this third instalment of our 2026 travel and hospitality trends series, Ashleigh and Michael discuss how travel is shifting from escape to expansion. Drawing on the brilliant Forbes trend series by travel writer Angelina Villa Clarke, alongside insights from The Future Laboratory, Fox Communications and leading hotel brands, they explore what guests will really be looking for in the years ahead.

From “sub-holidaying” and “puddling” to sleep tourism, AI-driven discovery and sports travel, this episode looks at how hotels and destinations can respond with more thoughtful, memorable and commercially smart experiences.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

In our second Travel Trends episode, Ashleigh and Michael look beyond the classic capital cities to explore how travelers are rediscovering “second” cities, coastal communities, and lesser-known islands in response to over-tourism and rising costs. 

From Bali, Lombok and Komodo to hill tribe communities in Vietnam, they discuss the realities behind regenerative travel, and how tourism can leave places better than it finds them. The episode also highlights the growing influence of midlife women as “travel powerhouses”, the rise of neurodiverse-friendly adventures and more hyper-focused, purpose-led itineraries.

We need to send a big thanks to the contributors and teams behind these articles that inspired some of these discussion points in the episode.

• eDreams ODIGEO, “A Year in Travel 2025” 

• Lemongrass Travel Trend Report 2026. 

• Spotlight Communication’s “The eight travel trends that will shape 2026.” 

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

From decision overload to decision detox, Ashleigh and Michael chat about how travelers are rethinking the way they plan and book their trips. In this first Travel Trends episode, they explore why all-inclusive and fully curated itineraries are making a comeback, how luxury travel advisers and retreat operators are stepping in to remove cognitive load, and where AI powered tools such as ChatGPT and OTAs fit into the new planning journey. 

We need to send a big thanks to the contributors and teams behind these articles that inspired some of this discussion. 

• eDreams ODIGEO, “A Year in Travel 2025” 

• Lemongrass Travel Trend Report 2026. 

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via social media or email [email protected] if you are interested.

In this episode, Michael takes listeners on a journey to Morocco, a country that we visited earlier this year and continues to rise as one of the most exciting destinations for global travellers. Together with expert guide and podcast host Azdean Elmoustaquim, from Destination Morocco, they look at what makes Moroccan hospitality so special. From the magic of the medina and the scent of spice markets, to the energy of Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk and the calm of mint tea shared with locals. They look at the rise of Morocco as Africa’s leading tourism destination, fuelled by football pride, new flight routes and major investment in infrastructure.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Azdean Elmoustaquim

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

In this special Black Friday-focused episode of The Halo Effect, Michael is joined by John Mullen, Senior Territory Sales Manager at Revinate, to explore how hotels can turn one of the most competitive moments of the year into a genuine commercial advantage.

With consumer behaviour shifting and inbox competition at an all-time high, John shares some practical advice on planning, scheduling and personalising email marketing campaigns that actually convert. From segmentation strategies and early-access ideas to deliverability pitfalls and the anatomy of an email that performs, this conversation is full of the insights hoteliers need in the run-up to Black Friday, Cyber Monday and beyond.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠John Mullen

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

Sales sits at the core of every hospitality business, but what truly makes it work? Ashleigh and Michael welcome back Joanna Fisher, a commercial hospitality specialist with 25+ years across hotel brands, clusters and global markets.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• How hotel sales has evolved, and why it will always be about people

• Why confidence, curiosity and connection still outpace clicks

• Practical ways to tackle “second-hand shame” and rebuild telephone confidence

• How to use AI as an enabler, not a replacement

• Why soft skills training matters more than ever

Connect with us

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Speak to Joanna

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Joanna Fisher

Please like, follow or subscribe to The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald.

Got a topic you want us to cover, or keen to join us as a guest? DM us on socials or email: [email protected]

What do hotel shows really offer beyond the exhibition floor? In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald share their reflections from a busy conference season, from the Independent Hotel Show to AHC and more.

They discuss ROI of attending industry events, including the power of visibility, long-term networking, and the ripple effect of those chance conversations that can lead to unexpected collaborations. With plenty of insights and stories of their own experiences, they look at some the latest trends from these events including: The balance between cost control and innovation; The evolution of sustainability; The importance of authentic connections; and accelerating role of technology and AI in hotel operations (as no podcast would be complete these days without mentioning AI!)

From navigating changing ticket models to hearing how hotels are rethinking their tech stacks and ESG commitments, this is a candid look at what’s really being discussed across the industry right now.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. If you’d like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode, get in touch.

Part Two of our Family Travel special moves straight from Ubud to Bali’s Amed Coast and onwards to Sanur and finally Bangkok’s mega-city energy. Ashleigh and Michael snorkel with turtles, talk safety and reviews, and unpack why simple tech plus trust still wins for local operators. In Sanur they reflect on value, calm seas and working-holiday realities. Bangkok brings Skytrain rides, river ferries, Wat Pho in the heat, and a DIY Chinatown street-food tour curated with a little help from AI.

They discuss medi-tourism, observe Thailand’s evolving regulatory landscape, and discuss how diversified demand keeps destinations resilient. The pair close with practical takeaways on slow travel, ethics in animal experiences, and how to design services that work for families as well as P&L.

In this episode:

• Amed by boat: hiring local, reading the water, and staying safe

• Reviews, WhatsApp, and the power of simple systems

• Sanur’s family-friendly value and beach-path cycling

• Bangkok by BTS and boat, plus a street-food sprint in Yaowarat

• Medi-tourism, destination diversification, and policy signals for operators

Whether you’re a hotel owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where hospitality is heading, this one’s for you.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

After a short hiatus, Ashleigh and Michael return with the first of a two-part special recorded after a month travelling through Southeast Asia with their family. From Phuket’s upmarket shift and transformed airport to Ubud’s calm, green charm, they share what today’s guest experience looks like on the ground. They reflect on “Jai yen” as a blueprint for gracious service, why looking after children keeps parents happily spending, and how platforms like Grab and Gojek are influencing access, delivery and revenue for even the smallest eateries.

They also revisit favourite family-run restaurants, weigh up villa versus homestay, and compare Thailand’s personable warmth with Bali’s slick efficiency influenced by a thriving café culture.

In this episode:

• Phuket’s evolution and the luxury repositioning

• Service basics that matter most: bed, food, people

• Family-friendly hospitality that lifts average cheque

• The gig economy’s impact on F&B and mobility

• Ubud highlights: rice walks, Kecak, massages, and managing the heat

Whether you’re a hotel owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where hospitality is heading, this one’s for you.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.

What does it take to pivot from a 20-year global career with Marriott to launching your own hospitality consultancy? 

In this episode of The Halo Effect, Ashleigh and Michael Donald are joined by the brilliant Matt Hughes, founder of Accommodate Consulting, for a rich conversation spanning hotel franchising, sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

With experience across asset strategy, global sales, and franchise development, Matt shares the highs and challenges of building a business from scratch – all while training for a marathon. We dig into the evolving franchise landscape, the ROI of ESG, and the very real ways AI is reshaping hotel operations. From navigating owner-brand dynamics to the value of curiosity, community, and cross-disciplinary skills, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Whether you’re a hotel owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or just fascinated by where hospitality is heading, this one’s for you.

Connect with Us:

• Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

• Website:⁠⁠ www.gohalo.co.uk⁠⁠

• Instagram: ⁠⁠@haloitsmichael⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠@haloitsashleigh⁠⁠

• LinkedIn: ⁠⁠Halo Business Consulting⁠⁠

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, or follow “The Halo Effect: Hospitality Stories with Ashleigh and Michael Donald” on your preferred podcast platform. Please get in touch if you would like to see us discuss a particular subject on a future episode.

We would love to invite fellow hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs to join us on future episodes, so please DM us via socials or email [email protected] if you are interested.