Travel Neutral Collective

26/01/2024

Couldn’t say it any better.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/5u7b5EeE85EHQc8V/?mibextid=WC7FNe

02/01/2024

Planning a holiday? Here are tips to traveling responsibly. If it's all too hard, choosing to travel with a local operator is the most responsible decision you can make.

Tips to reduce your carbon emissions while traveling.

01/01/2024

Yes. This is our wish for 2024

🌟 Putting together our wish list for 2024 and we’re keen to hear yours!

What's on your list for the upcoming year? Big hopes or small joys, share in the comments below!

Let's make 2024 a fantastic year together! 🎉

01/01/2024

HAPPY NEW YEAR

25/12/2023

09/11/2023

We are thrilled to share the news, once again, Bạch Suites Saigon is celebrated at the level of Asia and Vietnam for its stylist design and its architecture by the recognition of World Luxury Hotel Awards
Our journey at Bach Suites Saigon (as a hotel management structure) began with the identification of its forte; the reinforcement of its position in the challenging market right after Covid and the development of the internal team to encounter the needs of our discerning guests.
And the results are there!
Travel Neutral Hospitality - a part of Travel Neutral Collective celebrates this milestone humbly and we are looking forward to other archivements of this beautiful property.
As the Director of Hotel Operations of Travel Neutral Hospitality, I would like to express my gratitude to the tremendous daily contributions and dedication of my great teams both at Bach Suites Saigon and at Travel Neutral Hospitality. Without them, our stories would not be written!

22/10/2023

What makes a travel experience special? OK, there's the great food, beautiful hotels, incredible scenery. Mostly, it's about experiences. It's about learning. It's about people. One of our special, new and exclusive experiences at one of our beloved space in Hoi An - AN.hoian - a collection of beautifully crafted women-owned fashion businesses from all over the country. Many of which strictly adhere to sustainable ethos - such as Then and Dòng Dòng.
So what makes a travel experience special? All of above. And best of all, noone is going to make you feel guilty about enjoying yourself. We curate experiences that already make a differences. So your enjoyment makes a difference. Noone has to feel guilty about not saving the world.

14/10/2023

It’s happening.

05/10/2023

We're hiring.

Travel Consultant

Are you passionate about travel and all its possibilities?
Do you enjoy connecting with people?
Do you want to work with a company that make sustainability not just a buzzword, but a call-to-action to leave things better for those who come after?
We are growing our amazing team again and looking for passionate, creative and ambitious professional to help us grow our small but very noisy little giant of a company.

Fluency in English is mandatory.
Deep knowledge and passion about Vietnamese culture is a must.
Travel and sales experience is a plus but not essential.
Writing flair and numeracy skills are huge bonus.
We cannot support work permit for international applicants so you must have a right to work in Vietnam.
If the above resonates with you, please send us a short email and CV at [email protected]
"Not all who wander are lost" ~Tolkien

Candidates can be based in Hanoi, Hoi An, Saigon

20/08/2023

Sometimes, what we won't do is what defines us.

What we don’t and won’t do

05/08/2023

One of the properties under our management (by Travel Neutral Hospitality) gets a mention on the NY Times. A great achievement through very challenging times

Vietnam’s biggest city is transforming with new highrises, bars and boutiques, but still offers old-world charm and chaotic fun.

21/07/2023

Vacations are a time to relax, unwind, and explore new places. Unfortunately, they can also be a time when we create a lot of waste, including single-use plastics. Single-use plastics like water bottles, straws, and utensils can have a devastating impact on the environment, harming wildlife and polluting our oceans. However, by making some simple changes, you can help reduce your environmental impact and make your vacation more sustainable. Here are six tips for reducing single-use plastic on your next vacation.
Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
Instead of buying plastic water bottles, bring a refillable water bottle with you. Many airports now have water bottle filling stations where you can fill up before boarding your flight. You can also carry your bottle around with you during your trip and refill it from taps or water dispensers. Not only is this better for the environment, but it can also save you money.
Use Reusable Bags
Bring your own reusable bags for shopping and carrying items around. This can also help you avoid using plastic bags that may be provided by stores or hotels. By bringing your own bag, you can help reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or polluting our oceans.
Avoid Plastic Straws and Utensils
Plastic straws and utensils are often used once and then discarded. Instead of using single-use plastic ones that may be provided by restaurants, bring your own reusable straws and utensils. Many reusable straws are small enough to fit in a purse or backpack and can be easily cleaned and reused.
Pack Your Own Toiletries
Instead of using the small plastic bottles provided by hotels, bring your own reusable toiletry containers filled with your favorite products. You can also choose products that come in eco-friendly packaging to further reduce your environmental impact.
Choose Eco-Friendly Accommodations
Look for accommodations that are committed to sustainability and use eco-friendly practices, such as recycling and reducing single-use plastics. Many hotels and resorts are now implementing green initiatives to reduce their environmental impact. By choosing eco-friendly accommodations, you can help support these efforts.
Shop Local and Support Sustainable Businesses
Consider supporting local businesses that prioritize sustainability and environmental protection. Many small businesses are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact, such as using compostable packaging and reducing plastic waste. By shopping local and supporting sustainable businesses, you can help make a positive impact on the environment. Shopping locally with small businesses ensure that your money stays in the country and goes directly into the hands of those who need it.
Reducing single-use plastic on vacation by bringing a reusable water bottle, using reusable bags, avoiding plastic straws and utensils, packing your own toiletries, choosing eco-friendly accommodations, and supporting local businesses are simple and pain-free ways to make you travel a more fulfilling experience.

Innovative DMC and hospitality management solution for those who seek responsible travel with and our suite of sustainably operated hotels in Vietnam.

13/07/2023

Adventure on 2 wheels. The only way to feel a location is to move like a local.

09/07/2023

Sunrise somewhere beautiful somewhere in Vietnam.

02/07/2023

How to not “greenwash”?
Just do good, pay your taxes, and have $hjT ads.

https://fb.watch/lwKWtFkUIu/?mibextid=v7YzmG

10/06/2023

Go local and avoid economic leakage is ethical.
Are they even paying taxes while boasting about saving the world?

20/05/2023

Join us for a chat with Dolores Semeraro Tourism Keynote Speaker on another episode of the Truth Behind Travel Podcast

The GLOBAL COLLECTIVE FOR TRAVEL is a group of Destination Management Companies dedicated to true connections between the travellers and the destination. The Founders of The Global Collective for Travel Tuan Pham, Çağlar Gökgün and Pravin Tamang speak to host Dolores Semeraro about: * The truth ...

10/04/2023

Spotlight on our people: Why Thach chose to work with a small start-up, with all his choices as a bright graduate?
As a graduate, Thach had spent his time traveling - reflecting on his experiences and passions. On the open road trip, a travel-mate came to him and said: “I can imagine how excellent you are when you do hospitality.”That guided him to seek a career in hospitality and found Travel Neutral Hospitality, a team of passionate travelers and hoteliers that he found his values greatly aligned with.
He found sustainability at the core of TNH business with the highest professionalism, work ethics and customer centricity. He saw how TNH leaders discussed what SOP should be optimized for guest happiness, what solutions to be designed to fully leverage hotel property, or what strategies were best to increase revenue in a sustainable way.
Above all, Thach saw how leaders and employees of TNH work with the owners, business partners, hotel staff, and with each other. As in hospitality industry, he believes the key for customer success comes from the hospitable heart of service providers, which is genuinely expressed through every act of TNH members.
With great honour and motivation, Thach chose to work and grow with the dedicated team here, at Travel Neutral Hospitality.
http://travelneutral.travel

16/03/2023

How to make bún bò Huế
A trip to Vietnam is incomplete without experiencing the finest food this country has to offer. And none is finer than Huế cuisine. One of the favourite staple of many Vietnamese the world over is bún bò Huế, or beef broth noodle from Huế. The amazing balance of heat, spice, savoury, umame yumlicious, textured with rice noodles, banana flower and pig trotter is the pinnacle of humble fair elevated to its fullest potential.

Here's how to make authentic bún bò Huế at home. If it looks like a lot ò bother and you just can’t be bothered, take a trip with us.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs beef shank

1.5 lbs pork bones

1 lb pork hocks

1 lb pork belly

1 lb beef tendon

1 stalk lemongrass

1 onion

4 cloves garlic

1 k**b ginger

2 tbsp shrimp paste

2 tbsp chili flakes

2 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp annatto seeds

3 tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp salt

1 tbsp vinegar

1 lb rice vermicelli noodles

Bean sprouts, mint leaves, lime wedges, and sliced chili peppers for serving

Instructions:

Start by preparing the broth. In a large pot, add the beef shank, pork bones, pork hocks, pork belly, and beef tendon. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes. Drain the meat and bones and rinse with cold water.

In the same pot, add fresh water and the meat and bones back in. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to a low simmer. Add the lemongrass, onion, garlic, and ginger.

In a separate pan, toast the annatto seeds until they start to release their color. Transfer to a mortar and grind into a fine powder. Add the shrimp paste, chili flakes, paprika, and annatto powder to the pot. Simmer the broth for at least 4 hours until the meat is tender.

Remove the meat and bones from the broth and slice the meat into thin pieces. Discard the bones.

Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve to remove any solids. Season with fish sauce, sugar, salt, and vinegar to taste.

Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package instructions. Rinse with cold water and set aside.

To serve, divide the noodles between bowls. Top with the sliced meat and beef tendon. Ladle the hot broth over the top. Serve with bean sprouts, mint leaves, lime wedges, and sliced chili peppers on the side.
Enjoy your delicious and authentic bún bò Huế

http://travelneutral.travel

27/02/2023

Company culture and direct impact on the bottom line.

One of the very first things that we at Travel Neutral Hospitality will always examine is “company culture”. No, we don’t mean the “5 corporate values” hanging on the walls of every corporate office. We also don’t mean the company tag line parroted by every HR executive and staff members at performance reviews. What we look for is the actual “culture” of the floor staff. What they talk about, believe in and importantly, what they actually do when not trying to score points with the bosses. It’s the things hat happen when you’re not looking that will matter most. A positive, nurturing company culture is one of mutual trust and respect and allow people to be their best selves. An oppressive, unnecessarily competitive culture inevitably create tension, mistrust and very often, sabotage (one way to stand out from your colleague, if you can’t outperform them is to sabotage them. Right?)
Great company culture can make a significant difference to the bottom line of a business. A positive and healthy company culture can lead to higher levels of employee engagement, productivity, and retention, which can ultimately impact a company's profitability and growth.
Here are some of the ways in which a positive company culture can make a difference to the bottom line:
· Increased employee engagement
· Improved employee retention
· Enhanced customer satisfaction
· Increased innovation and creativity
So why aren’t more companies do this and be successful? Well all the great companies do it well and it’s one of the reason they grow rapidly, attract investments and talent and remain ahead of competitors. Which is why TNH will always take a cultural assessment as part of our initial audit, which will help with crafting and implementing a suitable cultural reset.
And the most important question, has it worked for us? After 6 months of work with one of our key client, we have observed all of the above occurring. Excepting for retention which is one of the consequences of a new culture is that those who don’t fit will inevitably leave on their own accord. The bottom-line is the key for us as our fee is based on our client’s profitability. The hotel group has posted record profit in the last 3 months. Our clients make more money, staff are happier and paid better. And our fee revenue is also healthy as a result.

http://travelneutral.travel

Company culture and direct impact on the bottom line. One of the very first things that we at…

02/02/2023

We're global!

22/01/2023

On this Lunar New Year of the Cat, may your year be safe, joyful and prosperous.
Thank you for your support and we wish for many years of success to come.

28/12/2022

A Vietnamese version of our recent case study.

Gần đây, một trong những Khách sạn mà chúng tôi quản lý đã chạm đến cột mốc quan trọng này, và khiến chúng tôi tự đặt câu hỏi về công việc của mình. Chúng tôi đã đạt được những gì trong 100 ngày đầu tiên tiếp nhận khách sạn?
Trong bài tường trình sau, chúng tôi sẽ đánh giá công việc của mình trong khoảng thời gian quan trọng đó cùng với các chỉ số liên quan. Khách sạn được đề cập là một khách sạn boutique sang trọng ở trung tâm Sài Gòn. Được hoàn thành và đi vào hoạt động từ năm 2017, cũng giống như tất cả các khách sạn khác trong ngành, khách sạn chúng tôi đã phải đóng cửa trong thời gian đại dịch, và hoạt động trở lại vào đầu năm 2022. Kể từ khi bắt đầu hoạt động vào năm 2017, năm thành công nhất của Khách sạn là 2019 khi khách sạn có lợi nhuận và occupancy đạt 65%, với ADR thấp hơn một chút so với các khách sạn cùng hạng. Nhóm khách hàng chính chủ yếu đến từ OTA (70%), TA (21%) và một số khách đặt phòng trực tiếp (9%).
Kể từ khi Việt Nam mở cửa trở lại vào tháng 3 năm 2022, ngành du lịch nhìn chung vẫn còn chậm chạp. Travel Neutral Hospitality (TNH) tiếp nhận quản lý khách sạn từ tháng 6 năm 2022 và ngay lập tức thực hiện kiểm định toàn bộ khách sạn, bao gồm: đánh giá đối thủ cạnh tranh, giá, mô tả khách hàng, hoạt động vận hành hàng ngày, hợp đồng khách hàng, tình hình tài chính, và văn hóa nhân viên. Quá trình kiểm định đã tìm ra một số điểm bất cập như sau:
Chiến lược định giá và kinh doanh rời rạc;
Không có khả năng tuyển dụng và giữ chân nhân viên;
Kỹ năng đào tạo nhân viên kém và không có quy trình vận hành tiêu chuẩn (SOPs);
Tinh thần làm việc của nhân viên rất thấp, quản lý có cách thức lãnh đạo gây hấn;
Chưa xây dựng được chi phí giá phòng cho bộ phận kinh doanh;
Chưa xác định được đối tượng khách hàng và đối thủ cạnh tranh;
Nhận diện thương hiệu kém
Đầu tiên, TNH đã ưu tiên điều chỉnh chiến lược giá rõ ràng để đính chính các nhầm lẫn với khách hàng lâu năm cũng như các nền tảng OTA. Thiết lập lại “văn hóa tập đoàn” có lẽ là công việc khó khăn nhất đối với chủ đầu tư và ban lãnh đạo khi mọi người cần đặt câu hỏi quay về với “mục đích làm việc”. Vì “văn hóa Khách sạn” là nền tảng cơ bản để tiến hành cải tiến cách thức làm việc, xây dựng động lực cho các nhân viên làm việc tốt và thiết lập ranh giới cho những nhân viên làm việc kém hiệu quả. Việc xây dựng một DNA thương hiệu rõ ràng cho khách sạn đã giúp bộ phận kinh doanh kết nối với các mối quan hệ khách hàng mới. Một trong những bài toán quan trọng cần giải là làm sao để xác định được tệp khách hàng tốt nhất cho khách sạn và phương thức giữ mối quan hệ với họ.
Kết thúc 100 ngày, công việc của chúng tôi vẫn còn một chặng đường dài phía trước, nhưng kết quả của chúng tôi đạt được cho đến nay là gì? Tinh thần của nhân viên được nâng cao đánh kể, cao nhất từ trước đến nay sau khi nhân viên nắm bắt được văn hóa làm việc mới và có thể chủ động trong công việc của mình. Điều này thể hiện rõ trong cách nhân viên tiếp cận, tương tác với khách hàng và thang điểm đánh giá phản hồi đã tăng lên trên tất cả các nền tảng OTA. ADR đã tăng 60% so với đỉnh tốt nhất trước đây vào năm 2019, và 3 tháng cuối năm 2022 liên tục được lãi kỹ lục và occupancy 100%. Khách sạn nay đã chứng kiến một làn gió mới đến từ nhóm khách hàng Doanh nghiệp, và nhóm khách hàng này hiện đã và đang gia tăng vào nguồn lợi nhuận. Rất nhiều điều có thể đạt được trong thời gian 100 ngày nếu bạn không ngừng tập trung và nỗ lực vào những gì quan trọng. Tại TNH, chúng tôi không tập trung vào các tín hiệu đi trước vì thường thì đã quá muộn. Chúng tôi tập trung vào các hành động mang lại kết quả thực sự.

Innovative DMC and hospitality management solution for those who seek responsible travel with and our suite of sustainably operated hotels in Vietnam.

02/11/2022

We recently spoke to Nikki Morrison of Low Season Traveller and here is the podcast.
How ethical is your vacation?

As consumers many of us are increasingly thinking about where our food comes, whether to buy an electric car, who makes our clothes etc, but how many of us have made the leap to thinking about how our holiday is put together?

23/10/2022

Our website has been revamped. Visit our website for updates on our products and services in tourism and hospitality.

Innovative DMC and hospitality management solution for those who seek responsible travel with and our suite of sustainably operated hotels in Vietnam.

26/09/2022

What can you expect in 100 days?
One of the properties under our management recently reached this important milestone, which prompted us to ask this very question of our work. What have we achieved in 100 days?

In this short case example, we will look through our work during this important period and provide some important metrics. The property in question is a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Saigon. Completed and in operation since 2017 and like everyone in the hospitality sector, the property had to shut its doors during the pandemic and reopened early 2022. Since its opening, the best performing year was 2019 when they turned a profit and achieved occupancy of 65%, with ADR somewhat lower than it’s competitors in the same class. The key clientele came principally from OTA (70%), TA (21%) with some direct/walk-in (9%).

Since Vietnam reopened her borders in March 2022, the overall tourism sector remained sluggish. Travel Neutral Hospitality (TNH) took over the management of the property since June 2022 and immediately carried out a complete property audit which included a competitor assessment, pricing review, customer profile, audit of the hotel daily operation, customer contract reviews, financial health check, staff culture inventory. The audit revealed several important weaknesses:

• Incoherent pricing or sales strategy;

• Inability to recruit and retain staff;

• Poor training and non existent standard operating plan (SOPs);

• Very low staff morale and aggressive leadership;

• No handle on unit cost of sales;

• No recognition of who the customers are or who competitors are;

• Poor branding recognition

TNH made it a priority to implement a clear pricing strategy that repairs any confusion with existing long term customers as well as OTA platforms. Re-setting the “culture” was perhaps the most difficult piece of work that challenged the owners and senior leadership team on their “purpose”. Completing the “culture” piece was fundamental in challenging established work practices, motivating good performers and setting clear boundaries for the poor performers. Establishing a clear brand DNA and branding asset helped the sales team to establish relationships with new customers. A vital piece of the puzzle was to determine the best customer profile for the property and how to engage with them.

At the end of 100 days, our work is far from complete but what are our results so far? Employee morale is the highest it’s ever been with staff embracing the new culture and taking initiative. This is clearly evident in how staff approach learning, interact with guests and reflects in improved feedback scores across all OTA platforms. ADR has improved 22% from the height of their best year in 2019. The property already enjoys a new customer group – corporate travellers, who already add to the bottom line. Much can be achieved in 100 days if you are relentless focused on what matters. At TNH, we don’t focus on the lag indicators as it’s often too late. We focus on actions that drive real results.

23/09/2022

Our co-founder putting our stamp on a hotel management contract with our new client.
Travel neutral at hotels that are committed to becoming carbon neutral, by Travel Neutral Collective.

24/08/2022

Funny and uncomfortably fracking real.

06/06/2022

After more than 6 months of hard work, we are happy to announce the launch of Travel Neutral Hospitality. With a mission to making the hotel stay more than just bed and board, we aim to making the hotel experience an unforgettable memory. Sustainable, personalized, genuine. Look out for a range of hotels and restaurants managed by Travel Neutral Hospitality, for the very discerning travellers.

19/04/2022

Yes!!!

11 Must Visit Countries in your 30's and 40's

1 Bhutan

With its abundant natural beauty, amazing monasteries, colourful fluttering prayer flags, incredible landscapes and ancient Buddhist temples, Bhutan is one country that has to be on top of your bucket list. A place where you can actually smell the sweetness in the air, the serene and happy atmosphere of this beautiful country is sure to mesmerise you with its destinations, people, food, and happy culture.
https://www.oneworldadventures.com/destinations/bhutan