Episode
#251 - Hospitality Meets Newton Fernandes - Built Across Borders
- Published
- Apr 15, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3301
- Processing state
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- https://www.hospitalitymeets.co.uk/
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Summary
This week, I sat down with the brilliant Newton Fernandes - and this is one of those conversations that reminds you just how non-linear careers in hospitality can be. From starting out as a journalist, to working in airline reservations, to quite literally being invited across the road into a hotel career… Newton’s journey spans continents, cultures, and some seriously big roles. We’re talking global brand, marketing, and communications at a scale that’s hard to get your head around, but always grounded in one thing: understanding people. In this episode, Newton and I get into… Growing up across the Middle East, India, and Europe, and how that shaped his worldview Starting out in journalism and developing a love for storytelling Moving into American Airlines… and then being recruited into hospitality by a hotel GM across the street Why travel, tourism, and hospitality are one industry (and should act like it) The reality of working in different cultures, and why curiosity beats assumption every time Moving to London and adapting to a completely different way of working Starting at the “bottom” in PR & marketing, and why that foundation matters Managing brand and marketing across 450 hotels, 12 brands, and 33 countries Why structure, training, and community are essential at scale Moving to Marriott and navigating the world of franchise vs managed hotels Helping independent hotels plug into global brands without losing their identity Some cracking quote-ables from Newton “I didn’t move into hospitality… I was invited into it” “Travel and hospitality are not separate industries, they’re one” “You can’t understand a hotel brand unless you’ve seen it on the ground” “Curiosity is more important than assumption” “The way you work in one country won’t work in another, you…