

Following ambition: an interview on shaping your future in Hotel Management
An interview with Martijn Boogert, a consultant at Colliers – By Julia Kobiolka
Meet Martijn Boogert, a dynamic figure in the hospitality industry, whose career trajectory has been significantly shaped by his studies in hotel management at Hotelschool The Hague. Specialising in advising clients and integrating technology within the hospitality sector, Martijn's journey from hotel management certificate courses to impactful roles at Colliers, and recently Mews, illustrates the vast career opportunities in hospitality management.
As a side note, this interview took place in summer 2024 and reflects his situation at that time. Please note that the job change has since occurred.
What is the most interesting project you've worked on at Colliers?
One of the most interesting projects I’ve worked on was the sale of a hotel near Leiden, where I was involved from start to finish. I had the opportunity to see all the aspects of the process, attending all the meetings with the owner alongside two senior colleagues. It was fascinating to be part of the negotiations, dealing with complications and new discoveries along the way. In the end, the hotel was sold, and the clients were happy with the outcome.
The project I find most interesting is one I’m currently working on, which I’ve been involved in for over a year. It’s called Haarlemmer Stroom – an industrial area that includes an event space, offices, and a future short-stay hotel. Initially, we conducted an extensive feasibility study for our client. Following this, we approached various operators in the market, presenting the short-stay hotel in Haarlem with 75 units to gauge their interest. We shared some information with them, received their bids, and then compared the offers. After a lot of negotiation, we granted exclusivity to one party and then negotiated the contracts and key terms, ultimately creating the legal agreement. That’s when our job is complete (in this case).
I really enjoy working on this project because I’ve been involved for a long time, and I particularly appreciate the advisory aspect. Plus, we have a great client, which makes the work even more rewarding.
While working in consulting, what kind of obstacles have you encountered so far?
One of the biggest challenges for me was lacking a background in real estate, unlike some of my colleagues who had more experience in the field. I came into the role with extensive knowledge and a passion for hotels, but I was unfamiliar with many of the real estate terminologies and concepts. I found myself frequently Googling terms and asking a lot of questions. Fortunately, everyone in the company was very supportive, encouraging me to ask questions whenever needed. My colleagues were always willing to help, and while I think my manager sometimes found the frequent questions a bit overwhelming, it was crucial for my learning process.
I remember encountering a particularly complex topic that I struggled to understand. I asked for clarification multiple times until I finally grasped the concept, which then enabled me to explain it to others, whether they were colleagues or clients. It was through this persistent inquiry that I was able to learn and grow in my role.
Do you see yourself working in the consultancy in the future?
What I like is putting others and the client first. Thinking one step ahead of them. I have a passion for hotel real estate, and I want to learn more and more about this world. On the other hand, I also have an interest in hotel technology since that is what I did for my project, and it sparked my interest a lot. Currently, there are many disruptors in the industry who are doing things differently. I also wrote my thesis on the influence of robotics on the guest experience in hotels. I am very much interested in these two topics, and I am happy to say that I will be pursuing that passion soon at Mews.

What achievements are you most proud of?
One of the achievements I’m most proud of came after working at Colliers for about a year, when my manager unexpectedly left the company. We had worked closely together, and her departure was a significant change. During her remaining time, I made sure to absorb as much knowledge and information from her as possible to prepare for working independently. After her departure, no replacement was immediately appointed, so I had to step up and work much more autonomously.
For example, I was responsible for property viewings in Haarlem. The first viewing I conducted was with her, providing me with a safety net. However, for subsequent viewings, I had to go alone, accompanied only by an intern from our team. This situation required me to take full responsibility and perform at a higher level.
Additionally, there were many aspects of the project that I was handling for the first time, and being a bit of a perfectionist, I aimed to execute everything as well as possible, which proved challenging. I’m particularly proud of how I managed this period because I was effectively thrown into the deep end and had to demonstrate my capability to handle the increased responsibility.
What is your biggest failure, and what did you learn from that?
One of the first things that come to mind is actually quite a humorous example from my very first day at Colliers. I arrived dressed in new sneakers, jeans, a shirt, and a jumper, thinking I looked professional. After a brief tour of the office, I met with the CEO for the second time, and he welcomed me. The team assistant jokingly mentioned that doing the dishes would be part of my programme for the first two weeks. The CEO picked up on that line, tapping my shoulder and saying that someone who comes in on the first day wearing jeans and sneakers can indeed do the dishes.
From this experience, I learned the importance of adapting to the situation. I was initially taken aback, but it highlighted that your first impression matters. While it's crucial to be yourself, it's also important to be mindful of the context and adjust accordingly to align with the expectations of your new environment.
What was the most useful lesson or skill you learnt at HTH?
I believe the most valuable skills I learnt at HTH are the fundamental communication skills that I use every day, whether interacting with colleagues or clients. I learnt how to listen attentively and be empathetic, which involves carefully observing the other person's emotions and adjusting your communication accordingly. Active listening is essential, but it’s equally important to ask the right questions, especially in consultancy, to gather the necessary information from clients.
These skills were emphasised throughout both the bachelor's and master's programmes at HMSM and HTH respectively, and they have been incredibly useful in my professional life.
What would be your advice for students graduating in 2024?
My advice would be to keep an open mind, as there are many directions you can take after graduation. For example, if I look at the people who completed the same master's programme as I did, some are still working in The Netherlands, in Amsterdam, while others have moved abroad. However, not everyone remains in the hotel industry or in a related field – many have pursued entirely different careers. You could end up in roles as varied as a real estate advisor or something completely unexpected. So, remember that your options are broad, and you don't need to stick to just one path.