In 2019, travel and tourism contributed a whopping 10.4% of global GDP — a figure that vanished almost overnight when the pandemic brought the world to a standstill. Today, the industry has clawed its way back to that same share of the global economy, but travelers have changed. They no longer settle for polished marketing campaigns; they crave stories that feel lived-in, voices they can trust, and experiences that match the promise. For hospitality brands, authenticity isn’t a buzzword — it’s survival.

So what does it mean to craft a hospitality brand in an era where audiences demand honesty, immediacy, and transparency? And how can an industry built on luxury and image embrace the unfiltered realities of modern storytelling?

In this episode of The Socially Awkward Podcast, host Calvin Tilokee sits down with Scott Eddy — speaker, brand strategist, and one of the world’s top 15 hospitality influencers — for an in-depth conversation on the business of travel, the role of authenticity in digital marketing, and what it means to build a brand while living as a perpetual guest.

The main topics of conversation…

• From Wall Street to Worldwide Hospitality: Eddy’s career pivot from stockbroker to hospitality influencer reveals how risk, timing, and global immersion shaped his unique perspective.

• Nomadic Lifestyle as Strategy: Living full-time in hotels gives Eddy uncommon empathy for the guest experience, allowing him to spot gaps between what brands say and what travelers feel.

• The Power (and Risk) of Brutal Honesty: Eddy’s unfiltered social media presence sparks both private support and corporate caution — illustrating how industry professionals navigate the tension between truth-telling and brand loyalty.

Scott Eddy is a globally recognized hospitality brand strategist, speaker, and influencer who has worked with leading hotels, destinations, and travel companies to build loyalty and ROI through authentic storytelling. After founding Southeast Asia’s first digital agency, which became the region’s largest, he went on to host Lifetime Television’s travel series Video Globetrotter and deliver keynote talks at major industry events. With over 86 countries visited, 122 cruises, and a social media presence ranking him among the top 15 hospitality influencers worldwide, Eddy leverages decades of digital marketing expertise to craft impactful campaigns that connect emotionally with travelers.