In his latest Missive, Bashar Wali begins with an allegory. He’s charged up about the planet and the role we, as hospitality professionals, play in keeping it…well, hospitable. It’s a must read this Earth Day.

There’s no denying the importance of Black History Month. It’s an opportunity to reflect and learn about the African diaspora, and to move beyond America’s past and present history of racism to highlight Black excellence. But what happens next?

If the last few years have shed light on anything, it’s that connection is not only key – but vital. We know this as fearless (fearful?) industry professionals. We crave the connection, the smile, the surprise, the wow moment. We live for it. So what happens when we internalize, Zoom, Google Meet, and run operations from our kitchen tables? We realize that humans, and human connection, has never been more important.

At first, the term back of house doesn’t seem out of the ordinary. It’s where towels get put in the bin and housekeeping credits are tracked on whiteboards. It’s where the onions get chopped and the chocolate gets tempered. It’s not for guests, that part I get. But why does it feel like our dirty secret?

We’ve been through it: Wildfires, economic crashes, chef suicides, climate change. 9/11—the biggest disaster. And then, COVID. 9/11 was a decimator but it didn’t spark so many us vs. them debates. There is one similarity though: That unshakeable hospitality feeling. That hope for humanity. 

Management companies have spent years showing their hand—their cookie cutter approach. What we need is a new way. A new perspective. The time has come for us to care and nurture, NOT manage.

Asian Hospitality is the gold standard around the world. It’s influenced so much of our hotel operations, service standards, and style. In Asian culture, there’s hospitality everywhere.

On the heels of his recent trip to Dubai, and in the midst of his quest to build the hotels of tomorrow, Bashar grapples with the true cost of luxury.

What would happen if women were given all the first moves? What would society look like then? What would hospitality look like—how would things be different?

Like a black light wand carried across a hotel guest room, it can be overwhelming to have our blemishes exposed. But, it can be liberating to make our hotels better than before.

For years, Indies felt like the only way. But what good is coloring outside the lines if everyone's doing it?

A word or two from Bashar Wali at the dawn of a New Year.

As the election draws near, Bashar Wali muses on leadership, representation and amplifying all voices.

There is a time and a place for everything. Some moments call for skilled management. This, however, isn’t one of those moments. We cannot manage our way out of this situation. 

Uber and Airbnb. Venmo and FourSquare. What do these companies have in common?

How about tossing Hotels.com, Equinox, Starz, Sony Pictures, and Electronic Arts into the mix?