In this special collaborative episode of The Modern Hotelier, recorded at the Hunter Conference with Josiah McKenzie of Hospitality Daily, we share a compelling conversation with Azim Saju, CEO of ARK Holdings.

Azim discusses his multi-faceted role in hospitality—from hotel ownership and third-party management to development, acquisitions, and renovations—and unpacks how culture, financial literacy, and technology are reshaping modern hotel operations.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How ARK Holdings operates across management, acquisitions, development, and renovations
• Why increasing financial literacy among frontline staff (including housekeepers and breakfast attendants) directly impacts hotel performance and valuation
• How teaching team members, the “life cycle of a hotel” improves both business outcomes and personal financial well-being
• The critical role of forecasting and labor modeling in driving profitability and long-term asset value
• How culture and growth reinforce each other as a competitive advantage at ARK

This episode highlights a powerful shift in hospitality: moving from pure cost optimization toward education, empowerment, and long-term value creation.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qrF6xn9XJIA

Links:
Azim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azimsaju/
ARK Holdings: http://arkhospitality.com/

Josiah on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josiahmackenzie/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/277

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Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.