We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jelani Millard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Jelani, thanks for joining us today. So, let’s start with trends – what are some of the largest or more impactful trends you are seeing in the industry?
The trends that I am witnessing in the hospitality sector are centered around travelers believing that hotels can create community. I agree that we are uniquely positioned to fill this need by understanding three main consumer units for 2025 — the desire for niche appeals, discovering new knowledge hubs and holding a greater focus on the merge of travel and longevity. To provide color, niche appeals refers to the transformation of interests that were born in the digital world and have began rolling into the physical world. 74% of people believe that travel experiences focused on a shared passion or likeminded community deepen their sense of connection and purpose. Knowledge hubs are the new classrooms in which a reported 79% of individuals are willing to travel somewhere specifically to learn a new skill. Creative workshop, such as writing, ceramics, or painting are emerging as trending experiences. Lastly a focus on longevity. Connection which was long overshadowed as a driver of longevity, now emerges in sharp focus. The isolating silence of loneliness has left a profound imprint on society, on that can no longer be ignored. Another data point polled that 82% of travelers consider hotels to be spaces where they can improve their long-term health and well-being. Fuse all of this together and you can better understand that today’s travelers are seeking personal growth and learning from their journeys.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Jelani Millard, the owner of The Wapechi Collection, a hospitality investment firm founded in 2021. We currently operate Selah, housing 18 luxurious boutique beach villas in the Ghanian sleepy surf town of Kokrobite Beach, additionally we broker an Ai travel chatbot technology, Maya Travel Ai, in North America and operate a travel media platform, Pay Me In Plane Tickets.
I founded this firm out of my love and passion for travel and the travel sector. Despite earning a discipline in mathematics and working in finance and statistics for over a decade — my attention to the travel sector never wavered. The Wapechi Collection provides me the opportunity to participate in the hospitality sector a meaningful and compassionate manner.
Any advice for managing a team?
Wapechi stands small but mighty. My advice is to curate a team in which each individual can radiate their most valuable asset. Respectfully challenge each other while appreciating all the benefits that each person delivers. Our team holds a wide variety of backgrounds. A blend of talent that emerged within the industry but a few others had less traditional backgrounds yet still make their mark profoundly at Wapechi.
Food is definitely the cheat code to maintaining morale. We dine out together considerably, especially with their family members partaking in these moments as well. Connecting with the special people behind our team members offers a sense of connectivity and depth to our operation.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
Constantly the aim for Wapechi is to properly and authentically standout against the competition. We are competitive yet compassionate. Compassion remains the heart of the hospitality sector. Hotel properties tend to operate close proximities and despite trying to win over the next foot in the door, owners / operators also understand that we are all in this together. Operate with care, have a deep understanding of the community that we are serving. Questions that I ask myself is how can we highlight the locals who make this community special, how can we translate this peculiarity to the benefit of both the guest and the neighborhood? For example, we partnered with a surfer in Ghana, Joshua, who started his own surf school in Kokrobite. From the ground up, he acquired surfboards, a shack and a well respected client reception. By partnering with Joshua instead of any general surf operation, highlights the importance we have for the local community and uplifting their talents. The positive feedback reflects on all involved.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Wapechi.com
- Instagram: @thewapechicollection; @paymeinplanetickets; @soulfulwapechi
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelani-m-8935a973/
Image Credits
Provided by The Wapechi Collection, Selah Beach Cabins.