Ep. 28: Unapologetically Bashar Wali, part one.
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I recorded this episode from Soul Community Planet’s boutique hotel in Central Oregon. SCP Redmond is great for a little staycation, working remote, or for grabbing a drink on the rooftop. I really admire SCP’s approach to hospitality. Their sustainability efforts, fair trade pricing, and focus on wellness go beyond most.
The entrepreneurship series I kicked off last week continues today, with a change maker in the hospitality industry. Bashar Wali is joining me to talk through what he’s building, why it’s vital to our industry, and what he’s learned along the way.
Bashar Wali is a hotel fanatic. In fact, he never stays in the same hotel for more than one night. If he has three nights in New York, he sees that as an opportunity to stay in three different hotels. I like how Bashar thinks.
In his TEDx talk, “A Hotel is Just a Building,” Bashar speaks about the importance of human connection in hospitality, an elements that went missing long before contactless check-ins became a thing. Bashar’s take is honest and it cuts deep. He’s on the inside, and he’s looking in.
It wasn’t long after Bashar left his role as President of Provenance Hotels this past spring, that he started teasing out his vision for the future. Today, we’re getting into the mind and heart of Bashar Wali. I get a sense that change is coming.
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What an interesting guy, and what an interesting conversation so far. Bashar calls the last 10 years the Golden Age of Independent Hotels, but he also described the ways in which hospitality has been mixed up with service, and how checking boxes has rendered most hotel experiences as transactional instead of well, human-centered.
I started this episode saying that change was coming, but I’m going to make you wait a little bit longer. Next week, my conversation with Bashar Wali continues. We’ll find out what’s next for the hospitality industry.
If you can’t wait, visit ThisAssembly.com, then hop back here for episode 29. Next week, Bashar will be breaking down the tenets of This Assembly. I can tell you right now it’s rooted in humanity—that’s a big word, and there are big ideas where that came from. Bashar’s known for asking tough questions of our industry, and next week, he’s sharing his own answers.
As always, keep sharing your stories.
Links mentioned in this episode:
A Hotel is Just a Building TEDx talk
This Assembly website
Bashar Wali on Instagram
Bashar Wali on Linkedin
