Blog. Spotlight on: Journey Hospitality
June 12, 2023 | Author Giuliana Vittiglio
Simon Bullingham, CEO and Founder at Journey Hospitality, reveals why he chose to support Hospitality Action, and what the future holds for the hotel ecommerce technology company.
What is Journey Hospitality?
We are a hotel ecommerce and technology business, helping luxury hotels and resorts achieve their commercial objectives. Our technology includes onejourney®, an all-in-one ecommerce platform; Premier Software, global spa technology and Gifted, the UK’s leading gift voucher platform. We also have digital agency services and a strategic Consultancy division. We partner with over 650 properties such as Claridge’s and Beaverbrook in the UK, Soneva in the Maldives, as well as groups like Harbour Hotels.
Why did you choose to work with Hospitality Action?
We’re privileged in our day-to-day jobs to work alongside people who are on the frontline of the hospitality industry. This sector attracts wonderful people, and sometimes those wonderful people need a helping hand.
The cost of living crisis is hitting hard - we know Hospitality Action has had a 12% increase in applications for help compared to 2022 - and wanted to do something to help give back to the industry that we care so much about. Hospitality Action’s long tradition of assisting people whether they’re on the brink of poverty, having mental health challenges, or just burnt out and wanting someone to talk with, is to be commended.
As well as our sponsorship of the upcoming South West Polo Day, we also donate 50p from every restaurant booking on our onejourney® ecommerce platform to help fundraise for Hospitality Action.
Tell us about your involvement with the upcoming Hospitality Action South West Polo Day.
Hospitality is such an important industry in this country, and Hospitality Action does a wonderful job of supporting the most vital ingredient to a successful business - its people. The South West Polo Day was always a highlight of the calendar, so when the opportunity arose to sponsor the event - the first since 2019 - we jumped at it.
This year’s event will bring together some amazing chefs from across the region for a three-course menu and cream tea, all while raising important awareness and funds for the great work Hospitality Action does. Whether you appreciate good food, love horses, or just want a fun day out, we hope you can join us in September as it’s such a great cause.
How else is Journey involved with the hospitality industry?
We see ourselves as part of the hospitality industry; our products and solutions are designed especially for hospitality businesses and our people largely have in-house experience before moving to work with us. We are an extension of our clients’ business. As such, it’s important, not only to me but to our team, that we are active in the wider community, understanding what’s happening ‘on the ground’ in hotels and supporting the industry where we can.
We are members of HOSPA, European Spa Association, HSMAI and Institute of Hospitality. You’ll often catch one of our team at hospitality charity and fundraising events, as well as key industry conferences and tradeshows.
What other CSR initiatives is Journey involved with?
This year, we have a team taking part in the Fit for Hospitality on Bournemouth Beach in September, running 5 and 10 kms. That will be a great time to connect with all our customers based in South England.
We also partner with Made For Life organics to provide our Premier Software users with a 20% discount on the Cancer Touch Therapy training programme.
Our staff are keen fundraisers and I am proud that we support a range of charities. Personally I am very keen on bringing up talent so I love that our business invests in work experience placements to help young people gain real world experience.
What does the future hold for Journey?
Our core belief is helping hospitality businesses find digital success, by bringing the guest and hotelier closer together through technology. Since launching onejourney®, our hotel partners are seeing increased revenues of 40-60%, and around 30% of orders featuring multiple products - combinations of hotel room, spa treatment, restaurant bookings, and retail offerings.
We’re continually improving - the recent acquisition of Premier Software and incorporation of digital payment wallets help us provide a more holistic ecommerce experience, and we’re already working on future developments to improve the guest’s digital journey even further whilst simultaneously helping hoteliers operationally and commercially.
For more information, visit www.journey.travel