The Lobby Talk

From peeling potatoes to Global Chief Development Officer: Camil Yazbeck on hotel development, leadership & the future of hospitality

From peeling potatoes at 14 to leading global hotel development at Accor what does it really take to build the future of hospitality? In this episode of The Lobby Talk, I speak with Camil Yazbek, Global Chief Development Officer at Accor, about hospitality leadership, hotel development strategy, and the future of the global travel industry. From early operational roles to shaping global expansion strategies, Camil shares how hands-on experience, private equity, and the owner mindset influenced his approach to scaling hotel portfolios worldwide. The conversation explores key trends transforming hospitality today: * Global hotel development and investment strategy * The rise of adaptive reuse and asset-light growth models * Modern hospitality leadership and team empowerment * Accor’s vision for responsible hospitality and brand expansion * The impact of Gen Z travel behaviour and experience-driven demand * How AI in hospitality is reshaping operations while keeping human connection at the core A deep dive into why hospitality growth, travel demand, and hotel investment opportunities remain resilient despite global uncertainty and why the industry is entering one of its most dynamic cycles.

From luxury yachting to experience design: Sonja Stojcevski on what makes hospitality truly work

What does it take to go from service to shaping hospitality experiences? In this episode of The Lobby Talk, I sit down with Sonja Stojcevski, founder of Brand & Spice. From sommelier to luxury yachting to experience design, her journey is driven by one thing: curiosity. They explore why great hospitality isn’t just about aesthetics but about how spaces actually work. From operations to design, Sonia shares why bridging the gap between brand promise and real experience is one of the industry’s biggest challenges today. In this episode: • From service to experience design • Lessons from luxury yachting • Why operations should shape design • The gap between promise and reality • Designing spaces that truly work A sharp, grounded conversation on the future of hospitality. 🔗 Brand & Spice: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brandandspice/] | Website [https://www.brandandspice.com/] #HospitalityDesign #GuestExperience #LuxuryHospitality #TheLobbyTalk

From corporate life to award-winning chef: The art of Ichigo Ichie with Grace Choy

What if the most defining moment of your career came from the courage to start over? In this episode of The Lobby Talk, I sit down with award-winning chef Grace Choy to explore a journey shaped by reinvention, resilience, and purpose. From a corporate career in Hong Kong to building her own private kitchen, and eventually redefining her craft in Tokyo, Grace’s path challenges the idea of a “linear” success story. We dive into her transition into the culinary world, the realities of starting from scratch, and how she created an intimate, deeply personal dining experience rooted in Cantonese tradition and elevated by Japanese ingredients. At the heart of it all lies a powerful philosophy: Ichigo Ichie — one time, one meeting. A way of living and creating that turns every meal into a moment that can never be repeated. This episode goes beyond food. It’s about courage, self-awareness, and the art of creating meaningful connections through hospitality. 🎧 In this episode: * How to successfully reinvent your career * The truth about building a business from passion * Why intimacy is shaping the future of hospitality * The philosophy behind Grace Choy’s culinary approach 🎥 Watch Grace Choy’s documentary: Story of Grace and ChoyChoy | choychoy [https://www.choychoy.com/storye]

From Paris to São Paulo: Romain Avril on building luxury hospitality across borders

What does it take to build a global career in luxury hospitality? In this episode of The Lobby Talk, Camille Jammeron sits down with Romain Avril, hospitality leader at Rosewood São Paulo, to explore international mobility, Food & Beverage strategy, and leadership across cultures. From starting in Paris to moving to Dubai at 23, leading F&B in Morocco and Rio during the Olympic Games, navigating crisis in Beirut, and returning to France before settling in Brazil. Romain shares a candid perspective on resilience, adaptability, and long-term growth in luxury hotels. Together, we discuss: • Building an international hospitality career • Leadership before and after COVID • Why the first human interaction still defines luxury • Protecting a strong F&B concept without compromise • Digitalisation vs. human connection in high-end hotels • Sustainability as storytelling, not marketing A strategic and human conversation about consistency, courage, and why people remain the ultimate luxury in hospitality. If you enjoy conversations on luxury hospitality, hotel leadership, F&B innovation, global careers, and the future of tourism, follow The Lobby Talk for more.

[FRENCH] From a London hostel to building hospitality with soul: Adrien Gloaguen on boutique hotel leadership

Behind every hotel is a story, a vision, and a passion that transforms stays into unforgettable experiences. Join Adrien, hotel entrepreneur and founder of the Touriste Group, as he shares his journey from youth jobs in London to creating independent hotels with a unique design and guest-focused DNA. In this episode, we explore: * How early experiences in hostels and corporate hospitality shaped a bold vision for independent hotels. * The story of Touriste Group, from the first acquisition in Paris to creating a brand known for personality, creativity, and profitability. * Secrets of designing memorable guest experiences: balancing design, location, and atmosphere while maintaining affordability. * Lessons from diversifying into campsites and new markets, and how to manage operations across very different hospitality models. * Tales of challenges, failures, and triumphs: from financing the first hotel to building a team that grows with you. * Why human connection, training, and attention to detail remain the cornerstone of hospitality, regardless of technology or market trends. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, hotelier, or hospitality enthusiast, this conversation is full of actionable insights, inspiration, and stories showing how vision, creativity, and perseverance can redefine a hospitality brand. 🔗 Connect with Adrien / Touriste Group: * Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriengloaguen/] * Touriste Group [https://touriste.com/fr/] * Camping Liberté [https://www.campingsliberte.com/fr/] 🎬 Adrien’s Recommended Shows & Movies: * Rebel Hospitality by Chip Conley – lessons from building a global hotel group with purpose and innovation.