Ben Walker

Italy, United Kingdom

Journalist and Writer at Freelance

Freelance journalist & writer. Former business editor at @thecaterer. Hospitality, travel, music, HR, technology. Mail: [email protected]

Featured in: Favicon

dialoguereview.com Favicon

forbes.com Favicon

msn.com

dailymail.co.uk Favicon

huffpost.com Favicon

independent.co.uk Favicon

entrepreneur.com Favicon

inc.com

stuff.co.nz Favicon

theconversation.com + 120 more

Articles

Leadership lessons from the frontlines

1 week ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

Leadership in today’s hospitality industry and successfully driving change requires clarity in communication, honesty and trust. So said Louvre Hotels Group’s CEO Federico González, speaking on stage at IHIF EMEA 2025. Throughout a distinguished career, including senior management positions at Proctor & Gamble, Disneyland Paris, NH Hotel Group, Federico González has demonstrated a talent for leading transformative change within large organisations.
Revenue management for independent hotels

2 weeks ago | thecaterer.com | Ben Walker

Great National Ballykisteen Golf hotel in Tipperary and RevanistaGreat National Ballykisteen Golf hotel general manager Cyril McMahon remembers: “The hotel had become increasingly dependent on online travel agent (OTA) bookings which accounted for more than 70% of all bookings.
Hospitality and travel technology dealmaking ramps up in 2025

1 month ago | hotel.report | Ben Walker

Private equity firms serving the technology sector are sitting on $330 billion of unallocated capital, said AGC Partners in a recent research paper. This so-called ‘dry powder’ is expected to be pumped into hospitality and travel tech companies (with between $50 million and $500 million of annual recurring revenue) over the coming months, enabling firms to increase in scale.
Hospitality and travel technology dealmaking ramps up in 2025

1 month ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

Advisors and investment banks are expecting a significant increase in hospitality and travel tech dealmaking in 2025 and beyond. Private equity firms serving the technology sector are sitting on $330 billion of unallocated capital, said AGC Partners in a recent research paper.
A beginner’s guide to tokenisation in hospitality real estate

1 month ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

In March 2024, investment corporation BlackRock launched its first tokenised fund BUIDL on a public blockchain, aimed at institutional investors with a minimum of $5m to invest. “Tokenisation of securities could fundamentally transform capital markets. Today’s news demonstrates that traditional products are being made more accessible through digitization,” said Carolos Domingo, CEO of Securitize, at the time of the launch.
Operators flex serviced apartment models as competition increases

2 months ago | hotel.report | Ben Walker

One notable recent transaction is Pandox’s £230 million acquisition of three aparthotels in central London. The freehold properties, operated under Marriott’s Residence Inn brand, are expected to contribute £34 million annually in revenues and £17 million in net operating income, corresponding to a yield of more than 7 per cent. Pandox says over time, there is potential to increase the ADR and yield through targeted investments.
Operators flex serviced apartment models as competition increases

2 months ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

The fragmented and increasingly competitive serviced apartment sector in the UK and Europe is attracting growing interest from investors and influencing the configuration of new and existing hotel products. One notable recent transaction is Pandox’s £230 million acquisition of three aparthotels in central London.
Hotel franchising set to grow in the Middle East and Asia

2 months ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

Hotel franchising is expected to grow in popularity in the Middle East and Asia. In Southeast Asia, the number of hotels operating under franchise agreements has doubled from three percent in 2014 to six percent in 2024, says a report by JLL. While this remains a modest proportion of the total market, it points to a growing trend.
How to bridge the gap between residential and hospitality

2 months ago | hospitalityinvestor.com | Ben Walker

Hospitality investors are expanding into the living sectors, including branded residences, co-living, and senior living. From an investor’s perspective, what are the advantages of these operating models over traditional hotels? Compared to full-service hotels, branded residences require fewer employees, the turnover of the occupants/guests is much lower and there is much more flexibility in terms of the amenities provided.
AI for everyone: How hospitality is running on artificial intelligence

2 months ago | thecaterer.com | Ben Walker

From artificial intelligence tray scanners reducing queuing times in canteens to ovens recognising the food placed on the tray, AI has integrated into hospitality in a meaningful way. As well as taking over repetitive and dreary jobs, freeing up staff to spend more time with customers, it has gradually become part of the team: a silent partner recording sales data to make spending efficiencies, or offering a round-the-clock digital assistance service to guests.