Welcome to our grand finale episode of Season 2 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury hospitality.

In our finale episode, we're thrilled to feature three extraordinary "Leaders Behind the Stars." First, award-winning travel journalist Jeannette Ceja shares her journey of pursuing a master's degree in France while maintaining her global media career. Her perspective on representation and finding one's voice offers valuable insights for industry professionals.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we spotlight two standout leaders from the 2025 Forbes Travel Guide Summit in Monaco: Scott Campbell, Director of Revenue Management at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, and Jeff Wielgopolan, Service Director at Meadowood Napa Valley.

What does it take to deliver world-class service—when you've never experienced it yourself? This powerful question sits at the heart of five-star hospitality, and both Scott and Jeff offer deep insight into how they lead teams to create authentic, elevated guest experiences that go far beyond expectations.

Imagine stepping off a small turboprop plane onto a pristine island less than a mile long, where coconut trees sway in gentle breezes and sea turtles nest undisturbed along protected shores. Welcome to the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, where luxury meets untouched nature in perfect harmony.

Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Mark Basaloga, Resort Manager at Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island.

Step into Tuscan luxury with Episode 6 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide. This week, our "Leaders Behind the Stars" spotlight falls on Roberto Protezione, General Manager of Castelfalfi, a 2,700-acre estate between Florence and Pisa. Under Roberto’s leadership, Castelfalfi transformed from a €250-per-night property into a €1,000+ ultra-luxury destination, earning a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star rating on its first application.

Join us for the latest episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, where we shine a light on one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars"—Pierre-Louis Renou, General Manager of Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel. This legendary property, freshly reopened in March 2023 after a three-year transformation, has proudly earned a Five-Star rating this year. 

Pierre-Louis takes us behind the scenes to explore the leadership and vision that brought this milestone to life. The Carlton Cannes stands as a striking example of how luxury hospitality continues to evolve, adapting to the expectations of today’s diverse and dynamic travelers. Pierre-Louis shares how affluent guests are breaking conventional molds—one day arriving by private jet, the next flying economy—creating a demand for unmatched flexibility paired with unwavering, top-tier service.  

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series with Forbes Travel Guide, we spotlight one of the "Leaders Behind the Stars" — Pradeep Raman, Managing Director of The Surrey – A Corinthia Hotel.

Nestled in New York’s Upper East Side, this newly opened luxury hotel has achieved an incredible 35% repeat guest rate in just months. Pradeep shares the secret behind its success—genuine connections. From doormen who know local pets by name to a guest who moved his entire business to the hotel after witnessing this level of care, The Surrey's philosophy is clear: You come as a guest, leave as a friend, and return as family.

In this episode of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, we highlight one of the Leaders Behind the Stars—Sarah McIntosh, the inspiring Hotel Manager at the Five-Star Maybourne Beverly Hills. Sarah takes us behind the scenes of her impressive career trajectory, her leadership approach, and the trends defining the next chapter of Five-Star hospitality.  

Sarah shares key insights into trends shaping the future of luxury hospitality, providing a glimpse into how properties like the Maybourne Beverly Hills remain leaders in the industry.  

Welcome to Season 2 of our Special Hospitality Series in collaboration with Forbes Travel Guide, the global authority on luxury hospitality.

In this season, we take you behind the scenes of Forbes Travel Guide 'The Summit' in Monaco—their first-ever international event. With over 750 attendees from 90+ countries, this prestigious event drew a global audience for learning, collaboration, and celebrating excellence in luxury hospitality, which featured main stage talks, exclusive sessions, and even the presence of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II.

In our first episode we are joined by Malcolm Hendry, Managing Director of Hotel 41, The Rubens at the Palace, and 100 Princes Street, who shares his incredible journey to earning his first Forbes Travel Guide’s coveted five-star rating and how they have maintained that status for nine consecutive years. Discover how he rallied his team after narrowly missing the mark on the first attempt and built a culture of excellence that defines Red Carnation Hotels.

Experience the behind-the-scenes magic of 'The Summit' in Las Vegas with Amanda Fraser, President, Standards & Ratings at Forbes Travel Guide.

Discover the meticulous planning and unparalleled vision that go into creating this extraordinary event, where structured sessions seamlessly blend with ample networking opportunities. Amanda provides exclusive insights into how this invitation only event brings together an unparalleled group of global leaders in hospitality, influential luxury brands, thought leaders, and travel professionals.

What if the pandemic had an unexpected silver lining for luxury travel in India? Join us as we sit down with Sanjay Arya, CEO of KFT Corporation, who shares how the Forbes Travel Summit in Las Vegas transformed his perspective on the industry.

Ever wondered how watching media stars like Sofia Vergara can ignite a passion for travel? Meet Jeannette Ceja, the dynamic founder of Jet Set with Jeannette, who joins us to share her inspiring journey from her roots in Orange County and Nashville to becoming a trailblazer in the travel industry. Jeannette reveals how her Mexican heritage and early aspirations, fueled by travel shows on Discovery Channel, shaped her mission to represent the Latina community in media. Tune in to hear Jeannette’s dedication to promoting diversity in the travel world and how she uses her platform to showcase the beauty of the world and her cultural roots.

What if you could transform your travel experiences while empowering local artisans? Join us for an engaging conversation with Rana Saad, the visionary founder and CEO of Tuzmo, recorded live at Forbes Travel Guide’s ‘The Summit’ in Las Vegas. Rana takes us through Tuzmo’s journey from its launch just before the pandemic to its current standing as a platform that connects travelers with local artisans for authentic cultural experiences. You'll gain insights into the massive $650 billion handicraft market, poised to grow to $1.3 trillion, and learn how Tuzmo is ensuring that more revenue reaches the artisans themselves. Rana's extensive background in travel and digital innovation at Accenture has helped fuel Tuzmo’s mission to create meaningful and fair travel experiences.