Glion Institute of Higher Education has launched a new audio podcast bringing together innovative thinkers and expert commentators to talk about the industries it serves – including hospitality.
The first season of The Insider Podcast saw host Martin Green hold intimate conversations in London, Amsterdam, Dubai and Montreux.
Here are the hospitality highlights from this first season:
The hotel: past, present and future – with Alex Slors
Alex Slors is a vastly experienced hotelier who is Program Director for Glion’s Master’s in Real Estate, Finance and Hotel Development. In this conversation, he shares fascinating stories from decades at the sharp end of international hospitality, revealing his passion for the hotel industry and what makes it such a dynamic, living business.
From humble beginnings in Indonesia to major career breakthroughs in Amsterdam and London, Alex’s journey is as inspiring as it is insightful.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Inside Accor, Europe’s largest hotel company – with Martine Gerow
In this episode, Glion gained a unique glimpse inside the engine room of Accor, courtesy of Group Chief Financial Officer, Martine Gerow.
Martine talks candidly about the challenges of the CFO role, how Accor intends to deliver its strategic objectives, and her own highly distinctive career journey, which had true love as one of its driving forces.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Confessions of a hotel addict – with Bashar Wali
Entrepreneur, influencer, international hotel addict…when Bashar Wali opens up about the hospitality industry, it pays to listen.
In this episode, Glion explores the mind of a true hospitality original. Challenge your preconceptions, see the guest experience from a different angle, and discover Bashar’s “neurotic” and notorious approach to hotel stays.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Exploring hospitality’s new frontiers – with Hala Matar Choufany
For this episode, Glion secured some precious time in Dubai with Hala Matar Choufany, a true force of nature whose expertise and professionalism were recently recognised with the FHS Excellence Award at the 2025 Future Hospitality Summit Africa.
Hala, who is President for HVS – Middle East, Africa & South Asia, explores the true story behind Dubai’s phenomenal recent growth. Glion also discovers the secrets of success in hotel development, and takes a look at the challenges and opportunities for hospitality in Africa.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
The Dubai difference – with Nicolas Bellaton
Nicolas Bellaton is a vastly experienced hotelier who is currently Head of Hospitality at Emaar Group. Among his many claims to fame in the hotel business was becoming GM of the Armani Hotel Dubai – the first in the world to carry the Armani name.
This podcast conversation, recorded on location in Dubai, covers topics such as the secrets of delivering great customer experience, how technology can be deployed to empower people, the convergence of luxury and hospitality, and much more.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Saudi Arabia: the insider’s view – with Mohammed Marghalani
You’ve read the headlines, but how much do you really know about the changing face of Saudi Arabia, and how elements like sports, agritourism and the sheer variety of landscapes and microclimates in the country all form part of this compelling story?
Glion alumnus Mohammed Marghalani is a true hospitality trailblazer in the Kingdom, and in this conversation you can discover more about the origins of the Vision 2030 investment program, get a handle on some of the key projects, and feel the love this proud Saudi national has for his country.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Hospitality innovator – with Hans Meyer
One of our industry’s most innovative and industrious minds, Hans Meyer was the driving force behind citizenM and is now applying his magic to the aparthotel sector, with the brand Zoku.
In this insightful conversation, Hans reveals the knife-edge moment that could have seen the citizenM project crushed before it even got off the ground. Plus he offers his thoughts on innovation in hospitality; the shifts in working and living patterns that led him to create Zoku from a blank sheet of paper; the extraordinarily thorough process of creating the perfect Zoku room; and much more.
Listen at these links:
🎙️ Spotify
🎙️ Apple Podcast
🎙️ YouTube podcast
Realise your hospitality leadership potential
The Executive Master of Advanced Studies in Hospitality and Business Leadership from Glion features specialised academic content focused on leadership and business performance. And with flexible study you can learn without leaving your present role. Discover the Executive Master’s here https://www.glion.edu/programs/executive-master-of-advanced-studies-in-hospitality-and-business-leadership/.
