455. Making Travel Accessible and Eco-Friendly Across Europe, with Oliver Winter
Release Date: 12/03/2025
460. Prioritizing Return on Experience (ROX), with Lisa Conarton
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lisa Conarton, CEO of LC Elevated Hospitality, who shares compelling examples of what it means to be a leader in the hospitality and tourism industry. We discuss the importance of building trust, why collaboration is key to success, and the difference between ROI and ‘return on experience’ (ROX). Lisa also shares how people can be proactive rather than reactive and why understanding how to go with the flow is so important. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Lisa built her career path in hospitality and tourism, moving from...
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459. Local Culture, Design, and Wow Moments at the Mondrian Mexico City, with Claudia Di Gino
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Claudia Di Gino, General Manager at the Mondrian Mexico City Condesa. Claudia tells the story of building a lifestyle brand in the hotel industry, how partnerships play an important role, and what it means to be part of the community. She shares how her hotel delivers an authentic experience that never fails to surprise and delight its guests. We also discuss what’s happening for the brand in 2026 and the opportunities for growth, including the FIFA World Cup coming to Mexico City. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Claudia’s...
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458. How Self Advocacy Fuels Innovation, with Neelu Kaur
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I’m joined by the dynamic Neelu Kaur, organizational psychologist, self-advocacy champion, author, and keynote speaker. Neelu dispels the myth that self-advocacy is boastful, and we discuss how advocating for yourself can actually be a generous and empowering act. She shares how leaders and teams can create environments where all voices are heard, exploring the innovative concept of “generous exclusion,” and the importance of dialing up the “I” or the “we” when the moment calls for it. Neelu also suggests some great practical strategies...
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457. Inside NTA Travel Exchange, with Nicole Mahoney
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I’m at the NTA Travel Exchange in Ottawa to speak with eight leading professionals shaping the future of group travel, tourism, and hospitality. You’ll hear insights from leaders who share the latest market trends, traveler behaviors, innovative approaches, and what’s ahead for 2026. The conversations explore the strong resurgence of group tours, the rise of small group and multi-generational travel, and a growing demand for immersive, meaningful experiences—from stargazing in Utah to luxury train journeys. You’ll discover how industry...
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456. How Travel Priorities Have Evolved, with Erin Groh
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Erin Groh, Head of Marketing at iSeatz, a leading but often behind-the-scenes travel tech company powering loyalty programs for brands like American Express, IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Qantas. Erin shares her fascinating career journey from traditional and digital media through to travel technology, illustrating how influencer marketing, social media, and travel tech are now converging to reshape the modern travel experience. Listeners will find out why today’s travelers are prioritizing dream trips—even if it means rebalancing...
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455. Making Travel Accessible and Eco-Friendly Across Europe, with Oliver Winter
Destination On The Left
On 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...
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454. What Makes Atlantic Canada’s Tourism Scene Unique, Atlantic Canada Roadshow 2025 Part 2
Destination On The Left
We’re taking you on a road trip through the future of tourism in Atlantic Canada. You’ll hear firsthand from tourism leaders on how the region captivates new generations of travelers while staying true to its maritime roots. We also spotlight the rise of Indigenous-led travel experiences and the wave of creativity from local artisans. From group travel trends to the power of regional collaboration, each story underscores how Atlantic Canada’s tourism pros aren’t just adapting—they’re shaping what meaningful travel looks like for the years ahead. In this episode, you’ll hear from...
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453. News from the Atlantic Canada Roadshow 2025 Part 1
Destination On The Left
This week on Destination on the Left, we bring you the first special roadshow installment from the Atlantic Canada Showcase 2025 in beautiful Saint John, New Brunswick. In this episode, we dive into the deep-rooted community spirit and storytelling tradition that make Atlantic Canada such a fantastic destination. You’ll hear firsthand from passionate tourism professionals across the region, who will share powerful insights on how authenticity, connection, and collaboration are shaping travel experiences in Atlantic Canada—offering everything from local cuisine and hands-on adventures to...
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452. How Dot Vegas Connects Travel, Technology, and Marketing, with Chris Mondini & Dusty Trevino
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Chris Mondini, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement and Managing Director of Europe for ICANN, and Dusty Trevino, CEO of Dot Vegas. We will learn how top-level domains are created and what domains like Dot Vegas can do to help a brand stand out. Our conversation is informative, educational, and will give you a whole new perspective on your brand’s Internet address. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How top-level domains (TLDs) are created and why the addressing system of the Internet matters Why distinctive TLDs, like Dot...
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451. How Travel Alberta’s Wild Side is Bringing International Visitors to Canada, with Tannis Gaffney
Destination On The Left
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Tannis Gaffney, Chief Marketing Officer of Travel Alberta. Tannis walks us through the strategy behind Canada’s wild side branding and the secret behind making their brand permeate everything they do. She shares more about Travel Alberta’s collaboration with Indigenous Tourism Alberta and how that relationship has evolved, opening up new immersive cultural experiences for the right types of travelers. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why Alberta chose to reposition its brand around “Canada’s Wild Side” and how leaning into...
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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