Springboard Hospitality’s Post

Rethinking Travel: A Journey of Cultural Appreciation and Mutual Understanding A recent New York Times article highlights Zita Cobb's innovative approach to tourism on Fogo Island, Newfoundland, urging us to reconsider the purpose and impact of travel. It's not just about luxury experiences or Instagram-worthy moments; it's about respecting, appreciating, and learning from diverse cultures and heritage.Key insights from Cobb's model: Community-centric: The Fogo Island Inn reflects and strengthens local culture, from locally-made furnishings to ingredients sourced from the area. Economic empowerment: An impressive 53% of the inn's revenue goes directly to its employees, far exceeding industry norms. Cultural preservation: This approach reinforces community identity by focusing on local assets and traditions. Sustainable tourism: The model aims to create value for the community, not just capture tourist dollars. Mutual learning: Guests engage with community hosts, fostering genuine cultural exchange. This perspective reminds us that the essence of travel lies in meaningful interactions and mutual understanding. It's about bridging cultural divides and gaining new perspectives—not only during our travels but also in our daily interactions with those who hold different views or come from diverse backgrounds. As we plan our next journey or engage with our local community, let's ask ourselves: How can we contribute positively to the places we visit? What can we learn from those with different life experiences? How can we carry the spirit of open-minded exploration into our everyday lives? Embracing these differences not only enriches our travel experiences but also fosters personal growth. By adopting this mindset, we can transform how we connect with others, creating a more understanding and inclusive world. #MindfulTravel #CulturalAppreciation #CommunityEngagement #GlobalUnderstanding #PersonalGrowth

Dominican Republic. Super 8 by Wyndham, also known as Super 8, is a North American hotel chain operating the world’s largest network of economy hotels, with over 4,000 properties worldwide. Originally offering stays for just $8.88 per night, this marks the FIRST TIME in history that an international hotel brand will establish a presence in Rio San Juan, Cabrera, Cotuí, and La Vega in the Dominican Republic. These projects are part of Grupo De Valle's ambitious Vision2030 plan, aiming to build over 15 Super 8 hotels and ensure accommodations within 30 minutes of every city in the country.  This $25 million USD investment includes 350+ rooms and will create over 200 local jobs. The hotels will feature a variety of accommodation options with soundproof, comfortable designs tailored to families, groups, couples, and solo travelers. “Rooms will include two-bedroom suites and standard options, equipped with modern technology, a restaurant, bar, and EV charging stations to meet the needs of all travelers,” stated Eng. Henry Veloz, president of Constructora Hotelera Provalle, S.R.L, the exclusive construction company managing these 4 projects.  Source: https://grupogdv.com/ #Super8Hotels #Wyndham #DominicanRepublic #Vision2030 #HotelDevelopment #Tourism #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #Sustainability #TravelAndHospitality #EVReady #JobCreation 

Dominican Republic. Super 8 by Wyndham, also known as Super 8, is a North American hotel chain operating the world’s largest network of economy hotels, with over 4,000 properties worldwide. Originally offering stays for just $8.88 per night, this marks the FIRST TIME in history that an international hotel brand will establish a presence in Rio San Juan, Cabrera, Cotuí, and La Vega in the Dominican Republic. These projects are part of Grupo De Valle's ambitious Vision2030 plan, aiming to build over 15 Super 8 hotels and ensure accommodations within 30 minutes of every city in the country.  This $25 million USD investment includes 350+ rooms and will create over 200 local jobs. The hotels will feature a variety of accommodation options with soundproof, comfortable designs tailored to families, groups, couples, and solo travelers. “Rooms will include two-bedroom suites and standard options, equipped with modern technology, a restaurant, bar, and EV charging stations to meet the needs of all travelers,” stated Eng. Henry Veloz, president of Constructora Hotelera Provalle, S.R.L, the exclusive construction company managing these 4 projects.  Source: https://grupogdv.com/ #Super8Hotels #Wyndham #DominicanRepublic #Vision2030 #HotelDevelopment #Tourism #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #Sustainability #TravelAndHospitality #EVReady #JobCreation 

Here is an optimistic story of how tourism can serve communities rather than exploiting and damaging them (and provoking a backlash, as we've seen recently in Barcelona and elsewhere). This article from The New York Times is about Zita Cobb, who established the Fogo Island Inn luxury hotel on her home island off Newfoundland. Some of her comments from the article: "I think places — communities — don’t have enough awareness of the real value of the assets they have. And they don’t perhaps have enough knowledge around how to develop those assets in a way that can make for a successful industry that can strengthen culture." "There’s a whole mind-set shift that has to happen, both for travelers and in the communities that host them. I don’t think anybody, just because they can afford it, has a divine right to go anywhere they want, whenever they want. I think what we have to be clear about is the invitation. And when you see the various barriers that communities like Barcelona are starting to put in place, that is trying to shape the invitation. I think a lot of work has to happen inside of communities to figure out how to do that." "I think the hardest thing in modern-day tourism is to try to get an even playing field between guest and host. And when you hand over $20 [as a tip], you’ve just diminished the person who’s just shared their home with you. You’ve transformed what just happened, which is actually a real human relationship, into a transaction. We built our business model to serve the people of the island, which means we don’t need tipping. This past year, 53% of the money people spent at the inn went to the people who work there. In most business models, that’s 30%." "There’s a late professor, Gill-Chin Lim, who said that we have to create a global network of intensely local places. So it’s the opposite of the flattening of the earth and the flattening of culture and this mind-numbing sameness that we’re doing to ourselves. But if you start from the places themselves, and if you start with the intention of properly developing the things that we have and the things that we love, then you’re going to have a world of very specific and joyful places. As opposed to starting from an industry model that says, 'Oh, we figured out how to build this. Let’s build a million of them and put them everywhere.' So yes, we’re now working to build a network for place-based economies [Shorefast] — and tourism is an important part of it." I'm really impressed with her vision and her approach, and it makes me wonder how this approach could scale - or whether we just can't reconcile sustainability with tourism at its current scale. What do you think? The article is unfortunately behind a paywall, but if you want to read it and we're connected, DM me and I'll send a gift link. Siobhán Daly Karin Butot Gerard (Ged) Brown 🌏 Susanne Becken Himja Nanavati Carolyn Childs CMRS

𝙁𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙉𝙚𝙬𝙨: Check out the latest Florida Today article which features 4 of our Hotel Projects as well as some quotes from an interview with our VP of Preconstruction, Corey Runte. #hotelbuilders #hotelconstruction #hospitalityconstruction #hospitalitydesign

What is River Cruising? River cruising is a unique way to explore multiple destinations with comfort and convenience. Here’s why it might be your next dream vacation: Scenic Views: Enjoy constantly changing landscapes right outside your window, from historic cities to picturesque villages. Central Docking: Smaller ships dock in the heart of cities and towns, providing easy access to local attractions and experiences. Luxury Accommodations: Experience boutique hotel comforts with spacious cabins, fine dining, and onboard amenities. Cultural Immersion: Daily stops offer guided tours, local cuisine, and interactions with locals for deep cultural insights. All-Inclusive: Many cruises cover meals, excursions, and sometimes beverages and tips, making it a hassle-free experience. Special Themes: Enjoy themed itineraries like wine tasting, history, or holiday markets for added excitement. Relaxed Pace: A slower pace allows thorough exploration and a smooth, tranquil journey. #judylovestravel #cruisemom19 #cruise007 #mothersontravel

Explore Big Island's top resorts and real estate trends in this in-depth guide. Learn about pricing, amenities, and upcoming events while discovering exclusive property details. This video walks you through The Hawaii Team's website, your ultimate resource for luxury island living. https://lnkd.in/g3gHaqtz

#PlakiasSuites Ranked #1 of 8 #villas in #Plakias #Rethymno #Crete (5.0 of 5 stars) according the popular #travel site #TripAdvisor Your ultimate #summer retreat in #Southern #Crete📍 #review #Eu #Tourism #Greece #summer

In the world of hospitality, first impressions are everything, and that's why it's crucial to ensure that your short-term rental property feels warm and welcoming from the moment guests step through the door. In this article, we delve into the details of how to transform your short-term rental into a cozy retreat that guests won't want to leave. https://ow.ly/hVpg50RjoeW

Why book overpriced hotels when I could be chilling in my own farmhouse by now? #abmlandmarks #longweekendgetaway #weekendregrets #farmhousedreams #longweekendvibes #longweekend #longweekendaway #hotelprices #farmhouse #farmhouseliving #farmhouseplots #overpriced #realestateinvesting #realestatememes