455. Making Travel Accessible and Eco-Friendly Across Europe, with Oliver Winter
Release Date: 12/03/2025
475. Bridging Cultures Through Scuba Diving Trips, with Melanie Marsell & Kathleen Hall
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Kathleen Hall and Melanie Marsell, founders of Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. Kathleen, who has called Costa Rica home for over a decade, and Melanie, who has roots in both the US and Central America, share the journeys of creating two innovative travel brands: Dive the Americas and Explore the Americas. We discuss how they’re reshaping tourism by supporting local communities, collaborating with other travel professionals, and providing personalized guidance that helps travelers feel confident venturing into unfamiliar...
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474. The 100th Anniversary of Route 66, with Rhys Martin
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Rhys Martin, President of the Oklahoma Route 66 Association and Preserve Route 66 Manager for the National Trust for Historic Preservation. We explore the fascinating history and ongoing cultural impact of Route 66, and how this 2,448-mile linear village has driven economic growth and inspired travelers around the world for nearly a century. As Route 66 gears up for its Centennial Celebration, Rhys shares behind-the-scenes insights on managing a celebration of this magnitude, the creative events planned along the legendary highway, and...
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473. Connecting Community, Nature, and Visitors at Cayuga Lake, with Astrid Jirka
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Astrid Jirka, Director of Tourism Initiatives at Discover Cayuga Lake. We discuss the difference between sustainable tourism and ecotourism, and Astrid shares more about the evolution of Discover Cayuga Lake from a community-focused organization into a tourism attraction. We also discuss the importance of being intentional and authentic in your messaging about your sustainable tourism goals and initiatives. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Astrid’s professional journey, from international travel to study abroad initiatives,...
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472. Events & Major Milestones as a Catalyst for Future Growth: Community Conversation
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Amir Eylon, CEO of Longwoods International; Debra Ross, author of “The Eclipse Effect” and founder of Kids Out and About; Jean Mackay, Deputy Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor; and Jennifer Miller, Domestic Tourism Manager for Visit Detroit. Our discussion is all about how events and major milestones, from sporting events and festivals to milestone anniversaries, can become catalysts for future tourism growth and regional transformation. The panel shares their perspectives on the importance of preparation,...
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471. Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolian Tourism, with Jalsa Urubshurow
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Jalsa Urubshurow, CEO and Founder of Nomadic Expeditions. Jalsa shares the story of how he co-founded one of Mongolia’s most significant cultural events, the Golden Eagle Festival, held annually in the country’s remote West. Drawing on his background as the child of Mongolian refugees and his decades of experience bridging entrepreneurship and heritage, Jalsa shares firsthand stories about partnering with local communities and creating initiatives that drive economic growth while protecting Mongolia’s unique natural and cultural...
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470. From Total Eclipse to Community Impact, with Debra Ross
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Debra Ross, author, community engagement advocate, and entrepreneur. We talk about her recent book, The Eclipse Effect: How to Seize Extraordinary Moments to Build Strong Communities, and how it was inspired by planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse. Drawing from her experience planning for the 2024 total solar eclipse and spearheading community engagement initiatives. Debra also shares her practical strategies for turning extraordinary events into lasting networks. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Debra transitioned from a...
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469. Empathy and Self-Awareness in Difficult Conversations, with Dayne Whitehurst
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with communication and leadership specialist Dayne Whitehurst, and author of “Empathy Impact: The Wild Effects of Kindness in Action”. She explains why communication is central to building collaborations, developing relationships, and driving sales. Dayne also explains how personal triggers can get in the way of our communications and provides strategies for identifying and pushing past those triggers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dayne became an expert in communication and de-escalation How recognizing and addressing...
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468. Get Going, Get Smart, and Get Good with Content, with Joshua Harrell
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Joshua Harrell, Chief Revenue Officer at WorldVia, joins me to discuss the evolution of travel advisors in the United States in a post-pandemic world. Joshua shares his insights on how content creation can help travel advisors build their businesses, and he offers some fantastic practical tips for sharing great content with your audience. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Joshua transitioned from a background in marketing and entrepreneurship into the travel advisor industry How the travel advisor profession has evolved to provide...
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467. Can AI Improve Visitor Experience? with Dan Flores
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Dan Flores, Head of Tourism at Satisfi Labs, all about using AI in the travel industry. We discuss how conversational artificial intelligence can help drive revenue and operational efficiency, and Dan offers real examples of where this AI is being deployed and how it has had real impacts. We also talk about adoption rates of AI within the tourism industry, and Dan shares a framework for approaching this new technology in your organization. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Dan Flores transitioned from a long career in tourism...
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466. Indigenous Tourism and Community Impact at Métis Crossing, with Juanita Marois
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, Juanita Marois, CEO of Métis Crossing, shares her personal experience in developing a tourism destination tied to her roots as a Métis Indigenous person from Canada. She shares in detail how the destination engages visitors by sharing what makes them special, including the experiences Métis Crossing offers—from paddling down the North Saskatchewan River in voyageur canoes to wandering historic buffalo habitats, indulging in Indigenous cuisine, and soon, relaxing at a uniquely Métis-inspired wellness spa. We also talk about collaboration and how...
info_outlineOn this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Oliver Winter, CEO and Founder of a&o Hostels, for an inspiring conversation about his entrepreneurial journey, from traveling on a shoestring budget to building one of the largest hostel brands in the world. We talk about his focus on being a cost leader, not a price leader, and how that translates to a guest experience that works for small pockets while still serving the needs of his guests. Oliver also shares his passion for sustainability and how his company has been able to move from an 18-kilogram per guest carbon footprint to just a 3.8-kilogram per guest carbon footprint.
What You Will Learn in This Episode:
- How Oliver turned his personal travel experiences into founding one of the largest hostel brands in Europe
- Why being a cost leader (rather than just a price leader) shapes a&o Hostels’ unique value proposition and guest experience
- What makes the hostel guest experience distinctive, especially in terms of shared spaces, social atmosphere, and accommodation variety
- How a&o Hostels attracts diverse customer segments―from student groups to families, digital nomads, and backpackers―and the distribution strategies that work for them
- Why sustainability became a central focus for a&o Hostels, and how they’ve reduced their carbon footprint by over 80% per guest overnight
- What’s next for a&o Hostels, including the big announcement of a new luxury budget brand to extend their reach and serve evolving traveler needs
Creating Value Without Compromise
One of the cornerstone philosophies for a&o Hostels is being a “cost leader,” not just a “price leader.” This means that they streamline operations and get rid of unnecessary frills while keeping the essentials, like comfort and safety, readily accessible. The hostels boast large capacities (an average of 800 beds per location), centralized operations, and shared facilities, striking a balance between affordability and a vibrant, social guest experience.
Rather than confining the traveler’s experience to private rooms, a&o focuses on engaging common areas, such as 24/7 bars, kids’ zones, and flexible working spaces. These communal amenities give great opportunities for people to connect, appealing to families, digital nomads, student groups, and backpackers. The model values shared spaces over luxury and, in doing so, builds community.
Evolving Guest Profiles and Modern Distribution Channels
a&o Hostels caters to a wide range of guests, with profiles shifting based on season and day of the week. Midweek guests are often student groups and school tours, while weekends and holidays attract families and independent travelers. The brand is found on major OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia, but has also cultivated a strong direct booking channel via their own website.
The flexibility in room types, from single or twin rooms for teachers and families to dorm-style accommodations for groups, further enhances their accessibility. This adaptable approach enables a&o to welcome anyone from school-aged travelers to budget-conscious business guests.
Sustainability as a Core Company Value
Beginning in 2015, Oliver and his team took a pioneering approach by closely tracking and reducing their carbon footprint per guest. Initially, a&o’s footprint was already lower than average (18kg CO₂e per overnight stay, compared to 25kg at home), primarily thanks to shared spaces and efficient building use.
But instead of settling, a&o set their sights higher. Through targeted operational changes—reducing waste, switching to renewable energy contracts, limiting disposables, and leveraging automation—they slashed their footprint by 80% to just 3.8kg per guest. What’s more, many sustainability initiatives actually resulted in cost savings, debunking the myth that going green is always expensive.
Resources:
- Website: https://www.aohostels.com/
- LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-winter-berlin/
- LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aohostels/
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