Podcasts about hotel management

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Apaleo co-founder Philip von Ditfurth and SVP Revenue Florian Montag to explore the future of hospitality technology, AI, and open platform architecture.The conversation dives into why Apaleo chose a composable, API-first approach long before it became an industry trend, how leading hotel brands are leveraging technology to improve both guest experiences and operational efficiency, and what hoteliers need to do today to prepare for the rise of agentic AI.Philip shares lessons learned from building technology platforms across fragmented industries, while Florian offers a hotelier's perspective on AI adoption, governance, and the importance of creating a future-ready technology foundation. Together, they discuss why flexibility, open infrastructure, and strategic technology decisions will define the next generation of successful hotel operators.Key Topics Include: The power of open APIs and composable hospitality technology  Why AI readiness starts with the right technology foundation  Lessons from innovative hotel brands like citizenM Building a future-proof hotel tech stack  The balance between guest experience and operational efficiency Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uBwm8n1ExM8Links:Philip on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-von-ditfurth-1a570/ Florian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmontag/Apaleo: https://apaleo.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/296Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jesús Olivares Sánchez to explore how hospitality is being reshaped by AI, data, and rapidly evolving guest expectations.Jesús shares his journey from engineering and financial services into hospitality tech, eventually joining Amadeus, where he now focuses on connecting the hospitality ecosystem through data, distribution, personalization, and advertising. The conversation dives into how hotels can stay “discoverable” in an AI-driven world, the rise of agentic commerce, and why modern distribution strategies must balance control, relevance, and flexibility across multiple channels.In this episode you'll know about: The biggest shifts shaping hospitality today, especially the rise of AI and changing guest expectations  How Amadeus is connecting data, distribution, and personalization across the hospitality ecosystem  What “AI discoverability” means for hotels and how it impacts direct bookings and distribution strategy  How agentic AI and new commerce models are changing the way travelers search, book, and experience travel  What hoteliers need to do now to stay competitive while modernizing their tech stack for the future Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bAwJbUXbFsULinks:Jesús on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jes%C3%BAs-olivares-s%C3%A1nchez-2313b16b/Amadeus: https://amadeus.com/enFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/295Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Branigan Mulcahy, CEO and Co-founder of Virdee, to explore how AI and digital wallet technology are transforming the hotel guest experience.Branigan shares insights into Virdee's partnership with Apple and Google to bring hotel room keys directly into mobile wallets, eliminating many of the friction points associated with traditional digital key systems. The conversation dives into the future of contactless hospitality, AI-powered guest engagement, personalization at scale, sustainability benefits, and how hotels can balance automation with exceptional human service.From seamless room access through Apple Wallet and Google Wallet to AI-driven guest communication and operations, this episode offers a glimpse into what the next generation of hospitality technology looks like—and why hotel operators should be paying attention.Key Topics Covered: Digital room keys in Apple Wallet and Google Wallet  Enhancing guest convenience and satisfaction  AI's role in the hotel guest journey  Sustainability benefits of eliminating plastic key cards  The future of hospitality technology and guest experiences Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/46LegJqDHdQLinks:Branigan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branigan-mulcahy/ Virdee: https://virdee.ai/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/294Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded live from HITEC, Steve Carran sits down with the Alliant leadership team—CEO Tristan Gadsby, SVP of Customer Experience Andrew Pirret, and CRO Alberto Santana—to explore how technology is transforming the guest experience while keeping hospitality at its human core.The conversation dives into Alliant's collaboration with Les Clefs d'Or, where concierge professionals are embracing AI and modern technology to enhance personalized service. Tristan shares how technology can make hospitality professionals "superhuman" by automating routine tasks and allowing them to focus on meaningful guest interactions.Alberto discusses the untapped opportunity hotels have to better understand why guests are traveling, using a compelling World Cup travel scenario to illustrate how hotels can move beyond generic upsells and create memorable, emotionally connected experiences. The team also explores the importance of recognizing every guest on a reservation—not just the primary booker—and how doing so unlocks deeper personalization and increased revenue opportunities.Andrew explains why digital wallets and contactless check-in technology have reached a tipping point, making travel smoother for guests while helping hotels overcome staffing and operational challenges. The discussion also highlights how Apple Wallet integrations are changing the way travelers manage their stays and interact with hotel brands.Finally, Tristan shares how Alliant is leveraging agentic AI, guest data, and contextual intelligence to create smarter recommendations for guests and more efficient workflows for hotel teams. From AI-powered morning briefing agents to hyper-personalized guest engagement, the future of hospitality is becoming more connected, intelligent, and guest-centric than ever before.In this episode, you'll learn:How concierge teams are embracing AI without losing the human touchWhy understanding a guest's reason for travel matters more than everThe hidden revenue opportunities in identifying all guests on a reservationHow digital wallets are reshaping the hotel guest journeyThe role of agentic AI in delivering personalized hospitality at scaleWhy data quality is the foundation of successful AI initiativesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pREGBac4jyALinks:Tristan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tristangadsby/Alberto on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrsantana/Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-pirret/Alliants: https://www.alliants.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/293Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jeff Bzdawka, CEO of Hapi and a Hall of Fame inductee in hospitality technology. Jeff shares his unique journey from aspiring dentist to hospitality technology leader, reflecting on the experiences that shaped his career across Hyatt, Pegasus, TravelClick, Noland, and now Hapi.The conversation explores the evolving relationship between hospitality and technology, with a deep dive into what it truly means for hotels to be AI-ready versus AI-enabled. Jeff explains why clean, connected, and actionable data is the foundation for successful AI adoption, the challenges of achieving the industry's long-sought 360-degree guest profile, and how hotels can leverage technology to create more personalized guest experiences.They also discuss operational automation, payment processing innovations, the importance of data normalization, and the future of hospitality technology as the industry moves from AI experimentation to real-world implementation. Plus, Jeff shares insights from the HITEC show floor, leadership lessons from his Wisconsin roots, and his vision for the future of guest experience.Key Topics Covered: The intersection of hospitality and innovation  Why hotels must focus on data before AI  Payment automation and reducing operational friction  HITEC trends and the future of AI in hospitality  Leadership, culture, and industry transformation Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4Dg2iO2DW3MLinks:Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffbzdawka/Hapi: https://www.stayhapi.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/292Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Anthony Vita, VP of Global Partnerships at Revenue Analytics, to explore how modern revenue management is becoming more accessible to independent hotels and boutique operators.Anthony shares his unconventional journey from e-commerce and luxury interiors into hospitality tech, and how that experience helped shape his perspective on data, pricing, and automation. The conversation dives into the launch and expansion of Climber in North America, and how it's aiming to level the playing field between small independent properties and large hotel groups through affordable, intelligent revenue management tools.In this episode, you'll learn: Why Climber is expanding into North America to support independent hotel operators  How Revenue Analytics is working to democratize revenue management tools that were once only available to large hotel chains  Why many independent hotels still rely on spreadsheets and “gut instinct” for pricing—and what's changing  The importance of partnerships across PMS, CRS, and hospitality tech ecosystems in scaling revenue solutions globally  How accessibility and affordability are shaping the future of revenue management for small and mid-sized properties Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3vbrnUkyHaALinks:Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitaanthony/Revenue Analytics: https://www.revenueanalytics.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/291Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ryan King, SVP of the Americas at Shiji, live from the Shiji Cafe and Marketplace on the trade show floor. The conversation dives deep into how hospitality technology is evolving—and where it's still falling short.Ryan shares insights from over a decade of attending HITEC and explores the industry's ongoing struggle with fragmented, siloed systems across PMS, POS, spa, and operations. While hotels rushed to adopt tech to solve staffing shortages, many ended up with disconnected tools that fail to deliver a unified guest experience.In this episode, you'll learn: Why many hotels still struggle with fragmented, siloed technology—and how it impacts the guest experience  How rushed tech adoption during staffing shortages created operational inefficiencies instead of solving them  What it really means to “meet the guest where they are” and how these changes hotel operations in practice  How mobile and on-the-floor service models can increase speed, upsells, and guest satisfaction  Why cloud-based systems are key to connecting PMS, POS, spa, and other hotel platforms  The growing importance of clean, unified data in an AI-driven hospitality landscape Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qIkt3mlnx1ULinks:Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-king-11083842/ Shiji Group: https://www.shijigroup.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/288Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special HITEC edition of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Tim Major, CEO of Operto, to explore how AI is transforming hotel marketing, direct bookings, and operational efficiency.Tim shares how Operto One's autonomous AI agents help hotels combat predatory OTAs, improve direct booking performance, and optimize visibility across both traditional search engines and emerging AI-powered search experiences. The conversation dives into the role of agentic AI in hospitality, the balance between automation and authentic guest service, and how hotels can leverage AI without adding complexity to their existing technology stack.Key topics include: How AI agents protect hotel brands from predatory OTA practices  Increasing direct bookings through automated search and GEO optimization  The future of agentic AI in hospitality operations  Real-world success stories from hotels using AI-driven solutions  Preparing hotel websites and content for AI-powered search platforms Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/zGLo-TaAMykLinks:Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/majortm/Operto: https://operto.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/289Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Check out eCornell's AI in Hospitality Certificate Program  Starwood Hotels - starwoodhotels.com Tao Group Hospitality - taogroup.com With approximately 17.1 million employees, the hospitality and leisure industry remains one of the largest and, unfortunately, most volatile employment sectors. Front-line turnover rates continue to hover around 50% to 80%, and there are an estimated 986,000 current job openings in restaurants and hotels alone. The combined impact of turnover and vacancies threatens both operational stability and industry growth. This Keynote will examine current labor market conditions and explore innovative solutions reshaping hospitality workplaces. From leveraging new technologies to reimagining traditional workforce management approaches, our panel will analyze strategies to address these challenges. The discussion will highlight both immediate solutions and long-term initiatives that are creating more stable, adaptable work environments. What You'll Learn Easy-tech options for responding to the current dynamics, including demand forecasting, AI-enabled hiring, and auto-scheduling Proven no-tech initiatives, such as predictable scheduling, multi-skilling, shared labor pools, and educational pipelines Policies and practices that promote workplace flexibility and responsiveness Follow eCornell on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Eric Ettlin, Senior Vice President of Brand, Marketing, and Digital at Aimbridge Hospitality, one of the largest hotel management companies in the world.Eric shares his journey from early digital marketing roles in finance to leading global brand and digital strategy across hundreds of hotels. He discusses what it takes to scale marketing across complex, multi-brand hotel portfolios and how third-party management differs from traditional brand-side hospitality roles.The conversation dives deep into the evolving hospitality landscape, including how Aimbridge balances brand standards, owner expectations, and guest experience. Eric also breaks down the creation of Second Wave, Aimbridge's in-house marketing powerhouse, and how it enables faster, more agile marketing execution across its portfolio.In this episode, you'll discover: How Eric transitioned from finance and e-commerce into hospitality leadership  What it takes to scale marketing across 1,000+ hotels and multiple global brands  Why third-party hotel management creates unique marketing challenges and opportunities  How Aimbridge's “Second Wave” team is redefining in-house hospitality marketing  The rise of AI in travel planning and how it's changing SEO into GEO Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/i_MR_lr1OVk Links:Eric on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericettlinAimbridge Hospitality: https://www.aimbridgehospitality.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/287Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

What role do uniforms really play in shaping a hotel's brand experience, and why are they often overlooked despite being one of the first things guests notice?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran are joined by Mia Liu, Creative Director of Drape & Stitch, a fashion-forward uniform brand redefining what hospitality teams wear and why it matters.Mia shares her journey from growing up in China with a passion for fashion and design, to building an international career across design, production, sourcing, and marketing. With deep experience across the fashion and activewear industries, she eventually founded Drape & Stitch in 2022 to bring a more modern, functional, and brand-aligned approach to hospitality uniforms.The conversation explores how uniforms are often overlooked in hospitality despite being one of the first visual touchpoints for guests. Mia breaks down why hotels should treat uniforms as part of the overall brand experience—not just an operational necessity—and how comfort, durability, and storytelling all play a critical role in shaping guest perception.The episode continues with deeper industry questions, including:  The most common mistakes hotels make when selecting uniform vendors  Why luxury hospitality is moving away from generic uniform programs  How design details can reflect a hotel's architecture, history, and identity  Real examples of custom uniform storytelling from luxury properties like Fairmont Washington, DC and Waldorf Astoria  Why comfort and functionality are just as important as aesthetics in modern uniform design From fabric innovation to brand storytelling, this episode reveals how uniforms are becoming a strategic part of hospitality experience design—and why the future of hotel branding may start with what your team wears.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_YHLxYzRvWc This episode is Sponsored by Drape & Stitch: https://drapeandstitch.com/ Links:Mia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-l-b07ab326/ Drape and Stitch: https://drapeandstitch.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/286Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Es ist keine neue Info mehr, aber auch der Tourismusbericht des Bundesministeriums für Wirtschaft, Energie und Tourismus hat festgestellt, dass Österreichs Tourismus 2025 erneut ein Rekordjahr geschrieben hat. 157,3 Millionen Nächtigungen, 48,2 Millionen Gästeankünfte und eine Wertschöpfung von mehr als 33 Milliarden Euro sprechen auf den ersten Blick eine klare Sprache. Die Nachfrage nach Urlaub in Österreich ist ungebrochen hoch und die internationale Wettbewerbsfähigkeit scheint intakt. Doch wer sich intensiver mit den Zahlen beschäftigt, erkennt schnell: Zwischen volkswirtschaftlichem Erfolg und betriebswirtschaftlicher Realität klafft eine immer größere Lücke. Viele Hoteliers erleben trotz steigender Nachfrage keine entsprechende Verbesserung ihrer Ertragslage. Genau darin liegt aus meiner Sicht die eigentliche Botschaft des Tourismusberichts 2025. Shownotes/Links: - Link zum Blogbeitrag https://smarthotelkey.at/tourismusbericht-2025 - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smart.hotel.key/ - Prodinger Tourismusberatung https://tourismusberatung.prodinger.at/

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Ayesha Molino, Chief Operating Officer of MGM Resorts International, to explore the evolving landscape of hospitality, entertainment, and large-scale resort operations in Las Vegas.Ayesha shares her unconventional path from law and government into hospitality leadership, and how her experience in policy shaped her approach to decision-making at one of the world's largest resort companies. The conversation dives into MGM's guest-centric operating model, the transformation of Las Vegas into an entertainment-driven destination, and how AI, data, and loyalty partnerships like Marriott Bonvoy are reshaping the future of travel.In This Episode, You'll Learn About: How growing up in San Diego and Washington, DC shaped her leadership mindset  The transformation of Las Vegas into an entertainment-first global destination  Why modernizing legacy systems and moving to the cloud is critical for innovation  How the MGM–Marriott Bonvoy partnership is reshaping loyalty in travel and gaming  Traits of successful hospitality leaders in today's data-driven environmentWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eW8xZA-XK9U Links:Ayesha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-molino-a7581a84MGM Resorts International: https://www.mgmresorts.com/en.htmlFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/285Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

What is the “post-booking black hole” in hospitality, and how can hotels eliminate it to transform the guest experience using AI, destination intelligence, and modern engagement tools? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Michael Gahan, CEO of Tongo, for a deep dive into how hotels can transform the guest journey by stepping into the “post-booking black hole.”Michael shares his unconventional path from small-town California, professional MMA fighting, and wine tour entrepreneurship to building a hospitality tech company focused on redefining guest engagement through destination intelligence and AI-powered concierge experiences.The conversation explores: How early guest conversations shape travel decisions and hotel revenue  Why most hotels miss the critical pre-arrival planning window  What makes Tongo's approach different from typical “AI concierge” tools  How personalized, scalable concierge experiences are now possible  The operational challenges and opportunities inside modern hotel organizations Michael also discusses lessons from his MMA career, the importance of guest-centric thinking, and why the future of hospitality depends on owning the conversation before guests even arrive.This episode is sponsored by Tongo: https://letstongo.com/Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xYXa6iH6qfELinks:Michael on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-gahan/Tongo: https://letstongo.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/284Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Es gibt Momente im Berufsleben eines Reisejournalisten, da schaut man auf den Stapel neuer Bücher, Pressemappen und wohlmeinender Branchenliteratur und spürt, wie die innere Gangway langsam hochgezogen wird… Besonders zuverlässig passiert das bei Kreuzfahrtbüchern. Denn seien wir ehrlich: Die Welt ist nicht arm an Berichten über schwimmende Ferienanlagen, an hymnischen Beschreibungen von Sonnenuntergängen über dem Lido-Deck oder an literarisch ambitionierten Schilderungen jener existenziellen Grenzerfahrung, die darin besteht, am Seetag zwischen drei Buffets und zwei Shows wählen zu müssen. Meine Begeisterung war also überschaubar, als das nächste Manuskript über die große weite Welt auf See auf meinem Schreibtisch landete. Brauchen wir wirklich noch einen Reisebericht über „Abenteuer“ auf einem 6.000-Betten-Pott? Noch eine salzige Liebeserklärung an Balkonkabinen, Captains Dinner und das große Glück, morgens in einer anderen Destination aufzuwachen, während im Hintergrund die Klimaanlage summt und die Landstrom-Frage diskret über die Reling geworfen wird? Denn leider viel, was über Kreuzfahrten publiziert wird, ist ungefähr so gehaltvoll wie Instant-Milchreis in der Crew-Messe: süßlich, klebrig und ohne nennenswerten Nährwert für den kritischen Geist… Dann allerdings sah ich den Namen auf dem Cover: Christofer Knaak. Damit war das Interesse bei mir doch geweckt. Christofer ist, wie auch Franz Neumeier von Cruisetricks, keiner jener Autoren, die Kreuzfahrt vor allem als Kulisse für Selbstbegeisterung missverstehen. Er kennt die Branche. Er konsumiert sie nicht nur aus der Perspektive des Champagnerglases, sondern betrachtet sie mit journalistischem Handwerkszeug, historischem Bewusstsein und einem Blick für jene Details, die in PR-Texten gern hinter Adjektiven wie „einzigartig“, „exklusiv“ oder „unvergesslich“ versenkt werden. Sein neues Buch „Vorm Bug die Welt“ ist deshalb keine Broschüre im Hardcoverformat, sondern eine angenehm wache, kenntnisreiche und mitunter wunderbar entromantisierende Vermessung der Seereise. Seereise statt Bettenburg mit Schornstein Knaak interessiert sich nicht für die üblichen Rennstrecken des Massenmarkts, auf denen die Branche ihre Kapazitäten durchoptimiert wie ein Logistikunternehmen mit Showbühne. Sein Blick gilt der eigentlichen Seereise: kleineren Einheiten, besonderen Routen, Schiffen mit Charakter und Situationen, in denen das Meer nicht nur Hintergrundbild für Selfies ist, sondern tatsächlich eine Rolle spielt. Drei Stationen seines Buches zeigen sehr schön, worum es ihm geht. Da ist zunächst die Antarktis, bereist auf der *Sea Explorer*. Schon die Drake-Passage, jene berüchtigte Wasserstraße zwischen Südamerika und der Antarktischen Halbinsel, liefert die dramaturgische Fallhöhe gleich mit. Bei der Anreise zeigt sie sich als beinahe zahmer „Drake Lake“, auf der Rückfahrt dann als veritabler „Drake Shake“ mit acht Meter hohen Wellen und der freundlichen Einladung an die Passagiermägen, ihre bisherige Ordnung zu überdenken. Wer danach noch Energie, Mut oder eine leicht problematische Neigung zur Selbstprüfung besitzt, springt wie Knaak bei rund einem Grad Wassertemperatur ins Südpolarmeer. Sein Fazit ist ebenso schlicht wie richtig: Dort unten steht der Pinguin über dem Homo sapiens. Eine Erkenntnis, die man einigen Produktentwicklern der Branche gelegentlich auf die Tischvorlage drucken möchte. Ganz anders, aber nicht weniger aufschlussreich, ist die Passage über den schwedischen Göta Kanal an Bord der *MS Juno*, Baujahr 1874. Hier wird Luxus radikal neu definiert. Die Kabinen messen ungefähr 1,5 mal 2 Meter – ein Format, das heutigen Suite-Kunden vermutlich als begehbarer Kleiderschrank mit historischem Charme verkauft würde. Doch genau in dieser Reduktion liegt der Reiz. Kein schwimmendes Einkaufszentrum, keine Wasserpark-Architektur, keine LED-getränkte Erlebnisüberforderung. Stattdessen: Entschleunigung, Handwerk, Nähe zum Wasser. Um den historischen Rumpf in den engen Schleusen zu schützen, nutzt die Crew keine Plastikfender, sondern Birkenstämme. Manchmal ist Nachhaltigkeit eben keine Powerpoint-Folie, sondern ein Stück Holz. Und dann ist da noch die *Sea Cloud Spirit* vor den Kanaren: 138 Meter Schiff, 28 Segel, von Hand gesetzt. Während die Passagiere mit jener Mischung aus Andacht und leichter Ungläubigkeit nach oben blicken, arbeitet die Crew in schwindelerregender Höhe. Hier wird sichtbar, was in der Kreuzfahrtindustrie zunehmend selten geworden ist: maritimes Können, das nicht vollständig durch Hotelmanagement, Yield-Optimierung und Entertainmentdramaturgie ersetzt wurde. Mit Salzgehalt gegen Seemannskitsch Schon im Vorwort, das Knaak passend „Einschiffung“ nennt, macht er klar, dass er der Romantik nicht unbewaffnet begegnet. Er nimmt sich ein beliebtes Bild vor: die angebliche Nähe des Menschen zum Meer, weil Tränen und Ozean denselben Salzgehalt hätten. Ein hübscher Satz, bestens geeignet für Kalenderblätter, Taufreden und die sentimentalen Absätze in Kreuzfahrt-Katalogen. Nur leider falsch. Meerwasser enthält im Durchschnitt etwa 3,5 Prozent Salz. Eine menschliche Träne kommt auf rund 0,9 Prozent. Die Verbindung zwischen Mensch und Meer liegt also nicht in dieser poetischen Gleichung, sondern tiefer: in den Bausteinen unseres Körpers, in Natrium, Chlorid, Kalium und Calcium. Es ist typisch für dieses Buch, dass Knaak den Zauber nicht zerstört, sondern präzisiert. Er nimmt dem Meer nicht seine Faszination. Er befreit es nur vom schlechten Marketing. Für Touristiker ist genau das interessant. Denn die Branche steht seit Jahren vor der Frage, wie viel Mythos sie braucht – und wie viel Wirklichkeit sie erträgt. Kreuzfahrt lebt von Sehnsuchtsbildern, keine Frage. Aber eine Industrie, die weiter wachsen will, kann sich nicht dauerhaft in Sonnenuntergangslyrik einrichten, während Häfen über Overtourism klagen, Umweltverbände Messwerte vorlegen und die Crew unter Bedingungen arbeitet, die im Gästebereich kaum jemand sehen möchte. Versenker: Umwelt, Overtourism, Flaggenstaaten Der eigentliche Wert von „Vorm Bug die Welt“ liegt darin, dass Knaak genau diese Schattenseiten nicht ausblendet. In Kapiteln wie „Auf grünem Kurs“ und „Crew only“ verlässt er konsequent das Sonnendeck der Behauptungen und steigt hinab in die Maschinenräume der Realität. Cruise-Fachjournalist Christofer Knaak Er schreibt über Umweltaspekte, über die komplizierte Transformation einer Branche, die gern von Zukunft spricht, aber in der Gegenwart noch reichlich schwere Altlasten mitführt. Er thematisiert Overtourism, etwa in Venedig, wo die Kreuzfahrt jahrelang als besonders sichtbares Symbol für die Überforderung fragiler Stadträume stand. Und er blickt auf die ökonomischen und juristischen Konstruktionen hinter den Kulissen: Flaggenstaaten wie Bahamas oder Malta, steuerliche Optimierungen, Arbeitsregime, Verantwortlichkeiten, die sich je nach Bedarf erstaunlich elastisch anfühlen. Dabei verfällt Knaak nicht in pauschale Verdammung. Das ist wichtig. Denn die Kreuzfahrt ist nicht nur ein Problem, sie ist auch ein Produkt mit enormer Nachfrage, hoher Wertschöpfung, großer emotionaler Bindung und beträchtlichem Innovationsdruck. Wer sie verstehen will, muss mehr können als empört winken. Knaak kann das. Er ordnet ein, statt nur zu urteilen. Auch historisch liefert er Substanz. Die Branche beginnt bei ihm nicht mit Wasserrutschen und Spezialitätenrestaurants, sondern unter anderem mit Albert Ballin und der Hapag. Die erste „Lustreise“ der *Augusta Victoria* im Jahr 1891 erscheint dabei nicht als romantischer Geistesblitz, sondern als das, was sie auch war: ein klug kalkuliertes Geschäftsmodell, um Schiffe im Winter nicht ungenutzt herumliegen zu lassen. Kreuzfahrt war von Anfang an Sehnsucht und Auslastungsmanagement. Wer heute Revenue Management betreibt, darf sich also durchaus in einer langen Tradition sehen – wenn auch nicht zwingend in einer edlen. „Passenger Area – Start Smiling!“ Besonders lesenswert ist das Kapitel „Crew only“. Es sollte Pflichtlektüre für alle sein, die glauben, das Lächeln des Stewards sei im Preis der Balkonkabine selbstverständlich enthalten. Knaak beschreibt die Grenze zwischen Gästewelt und Arbeitswelt nicht abstrakt, sondern anhand eines Schildes: „Passenger Area – Start Smiling!“ Mehr muss man über emotionale Dienstleistungsarbeit eigentlich kaum wissen. Hinter dieser Tür beginnt die Performance. Müdigkeit, Heimweh, Rückenschmerzen, schlechte Laune – alles bleibt draußen. Drinnen wartet der Gast, und der hat schließlich Urlaub. Auf der *MS Europa*, so erzählt Knaak, zählen Crewmitglieder die Zeit bis zum Abmustern nicht in Wochen, sondern in Schnitzeltagen. Jeden Sonntag gibt es Schnitzel. Ein Kalender aus Panade. Man kann darüber lächeln, sollte aber nicht übersehen, was dahintersteckt: lange Verträge, wenig Privatsphäre, harte Routinen. Ein Arbeitstag kann bis zu 14 Stunden dauern. Das See-Arbeitsübereinkommen erlaubt monatliche Arbeitszeiten, die an Land vermutlich jeden Betriebsrat in Schnappatmung versetzen würden. Während der Gast über Servicequalität urteilt, stemmt die Crew ein System, das auf perfekter Freundlichkeit bei maximaler Effizienz beruht. Dass Reedereien Teile der Vergütung über Service-Entgelte faktisch an den Kunden delegieren, ist aus Unternehmenssicht elegant. Aus moralischer Perspektive wirkt es eher wie ein Taschenspielertrick mit Bordkarte. Buch als Branchenlektüre „Vorm Bug die Welt“ ist kein Anti-Kreuzfahrt-Buch. Zum Glück. Davon gibt es ebenfalls genug, und viele sind ungefähr so differenziert wie ein Shitstorm mit Seekrankheit. Knaak schreibt aus Sympathie zur Seereise, aber nicht aus Blindheit gegenüber der Industrie. Das macht sein Buch wertvoll – gerade für Profis im Tourismus. Er zeigt, dass eine Reise auf kleineren, charaktervollen Schiffen wie der *Artania*, der *MS Europa* oder historischen und spezialisierten Einheiten etwas anderes sein kann als das standardisierte Dahingleiten auf anonymen Megalinern. Er zeigt aber auch, dass diese Differenz nicht von selbst entsteht. Sie braucht Haltung, Produktintelligenz, gute Routenplanung, faire Arbeitsbedingungen, glaubwürdige Nachhaltigkeit und Gäste, die mehr erwarten dürfen als Quadratmeter, Buffetmeter und Showminuten. Für jemanden wie mich, der die angekündigten Neubauten der kommenden Jahre eher mit hochgezogener Augenbraue als mit Champagnerlaune betrachtet, ist dieses Buch eine wohltuende Erinnerung daran, was Seefahrt sein könnte: Begegnung mit Natur, Technik, Menschen und Geschichte. Nicht bloß ein schwimmendes Konsumversprechen mit Hafenblick. Die Empfehlung lautet daher: kaufen, lesen, Verstand einschalten. Und den PR-Kitsch bitte an der Gangway abgeben. Wer mehr über die Macher, Mechanismen und Zumutungen dieser Branche hören möchte: Im Reiseradio-Podcast, den Sie mit einem kleinen Klick auf das Kopfhörer-Symbol im Titelbild abrufen können, haben wir auch Christofer Knaaks Buch analysiert (mit Hilfe der Redaktions-KI-Tools) und daraus ein munteres Gespräch produziert  – für die, die lieber nebenbei hören als nicht nebenbei zu lesen Bis dahin: immer eine Handbreit Wasser unter dem Kiel. Und gelegentlich auch eine Handbreit Skepsis im Kopf. Das Buch bei Amazon – hier klicken Um den Podcast anzuhören, bitte auf das Kopfhörer-Symbol im Titelbild klicken Der Beitrag Kreuzfahrt-Buch mit Biss Christofer Knaak blickt hinter die Bordkulissen erschien zuerst auf Was mit Reisen.

Die Wintersaison 2025/26 war aus Sicht der Nächtigungsstatistik ein Erfolg. Rekordwerte, hohe Auslastung und eine weiterhin starke internationale Nachfrage bestätigen die Attraktivität des Tourismusstandorts Österreich. Trotzdem ist die Stimmung in der Branche schlechter als im Vorjahr. Der aktuelle Tourismusbarometer 2026 von Deloitte und ÖHV zeigt eine Entwicklung, die viele Touristiker aus dem betrieblichen Alltag kennen und die wir auch selbst Jahr für Jahr feststellen und im Hotel-Fitness-Check veröffentlichen: Die Häuser sind gut gebucht, die wirtschaftliche Ertragskraft gerät aber zunehmend unter Druck. Der Tourismusindex verschlechtert sich im Tourismusbarometer gar auf 3,2 und erreicht damit den schlechtesten Wert seit 2021. Shownotes/Links: - Link zum Blogbeitrag https://smarthotelkey.at/tourismusbarometer-2026 - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smart.hotel.key/ - Prodinger Tourismusberatung https://tourismusberatung.prodinger.at/

In this special highlight episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran take a look back at the first half of the year, revisiting standout moments from over 40 conversations with leading voices in hospitality.Across these curated clips, hoteliers, developers, and industry leaders share what it really takes to succeed in today's rapidly evolving hospitality landscape—from building authentic guest experiences and strong team cultures to rethinking branding, revenue strategy, and the future of hotel development.Guests explore key themes including the importance of curiosity, staying authentic in design and operations, empowering teams as the true “secret sauce” of hospitality, and how technology, data, and shifting traveler expectations are reshaping the industry.Featuring insights from leaders across boutique hotels, global brands, luxury operators, and innovative developers, this episode offers a powerful snapshot of where hospitality is headed—and what continues to stay timeless: people, purpose, and experience.In this episode, you'll learn: Why genuine success in hospitality starts with a simple but powerful principle: truly liking and prioritizing people  How curiosity, alignment, and shared goals across teams create stronger hotel cultures and better performance  Why authenticity—not checklists or trends—is the foundation of memorable hotel experiences and strong brands  The key strategies for legacy properties to evolve with changing guest expectations without losing their identity  How mindset, attitude, and culture directly impact long-term success in hospitality organizations  Why experience-led pricing strategies can sometimes outperform short-term revenue maximization Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Cb1YFk2a_SkLinks:Ron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-pohl-8214205/WorldHotels and International Operations for BWH Hotels: https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US.htmlAlpha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alpha-midiaou-barry-42a6b014/Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown Little Italy: https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/sandy-courtyard-san-diego-downtown-little-italy/overview/Bradley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradley-steward-7b829a23/Caravan Outpost: https://caravanoutpostojai.com/Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-harmon-2184851/Auberge Resorts: https://auberge.com/aka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aka/posts/?feedView=allaka: https://www.stayaka.com/Kristie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegoshowLoews Hotels & Co.: https://www.loewshotels.com/Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskanderson/Cornell University: https://www.cornell.edu/Dr. Sharmin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmindharas/Hotel ZAZZ: https://www.hotelzazz.com/Bashar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/Intersection Development: https://intersectiondev.com/Atari Hotels: https://invest.atarihotels.com/Roman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-pedan/Kasa: https://kasa.com/Dondra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dondra-ritzenthaler-a09158406/Azamara Cruises: https://www.azamara.com/homeCarmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-a-581b02183/Ashburton Hospitality: https://www.ashburtonhospitality.com/Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-luersen-20839113/Coral Tree Hospitality: https://www.coraltreehospitality.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/283Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Der kürzlich veröffentlichte Guest Value Report 2026 von Smart Host wirft einen spannenden Blick auf die Hotellerie im DACH-Raum. Die Studie beschäftigt sich mit einer zentralen Frage: Wie gut kennen Hotels den Wert ihrer Gäste und wie systematisch gelingt es ihnen, diesen Wert zu steigern? Vereinfacht gesagt geht es beim Guest Value nicht darum, wie viel ein Gast für das Zimmer bezahlt, sondern welchen Gesamtwert er während seiner gesamten Beziehung zum Hotel schafft. Die Ergebnisse des Reports liefern jedenfalls interessante Einblicke und gleichzeitig auch einige Widersprüche. Genau deshalb lohnt sich ein genauerer Blick hinter die Zahlen. Shownotes/Links: - Link zum Blogbeitrag https://smarthotelkey.at/guest-value - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/smart.hotel.key/ - Prodinger Tourismusberatung https://tourismusberatung.prodinger.at/

What should hoteliers be doing right now to stay ahead of these rapid changes? In this episode, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Tom Luersen, President of CoralTree Hospitality, for a fast-paced breakdown of the biggest hospitality and travel industry developments from May.The conversation dives into major shifts in the tech and distribution landscape, including new partnerships like Uber with Expedia and Mews, Airbnb expanding into hotels and car rentals, and the rise of TikTok as a hotel booking channel. The panel explores what these changes mean for hotels, direct bookings, and the future of distribution strategy.In this episode, you'll discover: What growing tech consolidation means for hotels, pricing power, and direct bookings  Why the collapse of Spirit Airlines signals deeper trends in airline consolidation and pricing pressure  How rising travel costs are influencing consumer behavior—but not stopping summer travel plans  Why experience-driven travel continues to dominate consumer priorities across generationsThis episode is a must-listen for hospitality leaders looking to understand where travel, technology, and consumer behavior are heading next—and how to stay ahead in an increasingly connected and competitive landscape.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c9CqYWcsMRQLinks:Consumer Tech Partners with Travel & HospitalitySpirit Airlines Ceases OperationsAmericans are Cutting Costs, but Not Their Travel PlansHotel Execs Prepare for AI to Change the Booking Journey What is New at CoralTreeFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/282Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How are luxury hotels currently underutilizing guest data, and what opportunities are they missing? In this episode, Steve Carran and David Millili sit down with Josh and Dana Ellis, co-founders of Abra, to explore how AI-powered personalization is transforming the guest experience in hospitality.From luxury hotels in New York City and Maui to building one of hospitality's most exciting AI startups, Josh and Dana share the story behind Abra and why they believe personalization is the future of guest loyalty. Dana brings firsthand experience from iconic luxury properties including Four Seasons, Peninsula Hotels, and Relais & Châteaux, while Josh combines expertise in AI, consulting, and mindfulness to help hotels unlock the power of guest data.The conversation dives deep into:How hotels can deliver true personalized service at scaleWhy guest data is still one of hospitality's biggest challengesHow team members—from housekeepers to bartenders—play a critical role in personalizationWhy AI should empower hospitality teams, not replace human connectionThe importance of creating memorable experiences that drive lifelong guest loyaltyJosh and Dana also share behind-the-scenes insights into building Abra inside a live hotel operation, preparing for the HITEC E20X startup pitch competition, and how hotels can create “hospitality magic” through better data and smarter technology.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7UfjHnd4LwQThis episode is sponsored by Abra HospitalityLinks:Dana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danasjaffe/Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-ellis1126/Abra Hospitality: https://abrahospitality.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/281Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with 2026 NYU SPS Incubator winner and founder of Clairdoc, Bakhtawer Baloch, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, resilience, and building scalable AI solutions in complex industries.From her early entrepreneurial spark selling stickers as a child in Pakistan to studying and building companies in New York, Bakhtawer shares how her journey across consulting, tech, and startups led her to identify a major inefficiency in healthcare billing: insurance claim denials. That insight became the foundation of Clairdoc, an AI-driven platform aimed at reducing administrative friction and improving revenue outcomes for clinics.In this episode, you'll learn about: How Bakhtawer Baloch went from selling stickers as a child in Pakistan to building a tech startup in New York  The inspiration behind Clairdoc and the problem it solves in healthcare billing and insurance claim denials  Winning the 2026 NYU SPS Incubator and how mentorship shaped her pitch and growth strategy  Why she transitioned from service-based businesses to scalable AI product development  What's next for Clairdoc as it expands across healthcare systems and specialtiesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/luuWSO8DfJ8Links:Bakhtawer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bakhtawerbaloch/ Clairdoc: https://www.clairdoc.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/280Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, David and Steve sit down with Carmen Almos, Founder & CEO of Ashburton Hospitality, for a powerful conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, and the evolving world of hotel ownership and asset management.Carmen shares her remarkable journey—from growing up in South Africa and moving to Tennessee as a teenager, to discovering her passion for hospitality through her family's motel business. She opens up about lessons learned from navigating cultural transitions, surviving the 2008 financial crisis, and finding her way from finance and law aspirations into hotel ownership and asset management.The conversation dives into:What hotel asset managers actually do—and why ownership is one of hospitality's most influential seatsWhy should hotels use creative strategies to drive revenue and improve guest experiences? The growing tension between hotel owners, operators, and brandsHow AI's impact on hotel operations and the future of hospitalityPlus, Carmen shares stories about her family's American dream, her father's motel turnaround strategy, and why she believes self-advocacy is essential for success.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/iDOFWvqSQvYLinks:Carmen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmen-a-581b02183/Ashburton Hospitality: https://www.ashburtonhospitality.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/279Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Elmar Hotel Management, LLC v. Unite Here Local 1

How does someone go from taking their very first flight after college to becoming the CEO of a world-renowned cruise brand?In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dondra Ritzenthaler, CEO of Azamara Cruises and recent recipient of the prestigious 2026 CLIA Hall of Fame Cruise Industry Award. From growing up in a small Texas town to becoming one of the most influential leaders in the cruise industry, Dondra shares her inspiring journey, leadership lessons, and passion for hospitality.The conversation starts with a fun lightning round where Dondra reveals her love for football, scuba diving, and even a bucket-list dream of swimming with sharks in Australia. Then, the discussion dives deeper into her career path—from becoming a flight attendant after her very first plane ride to rising through sales and marketing leadership roles before ultimately leading Azamara Cruises.Dondra shares insights into the power of teamwork, why travel advisors are vital to the cruise experience, and what drew her out of retirement to take the helm at Azamara. She also explains how Azamara's boutique-style cruise experience differs from mega ships, offering destination immersion, longer stays, and authentic cultural experiences around the world.The episode also explores evolving travel trends, the future of cruising, and Dondra's advice for aspiring leaders—especially women—on embracing bravery over perfection and surrounding yourself with people who elevate your strengths.In this episode, you'll learn: How Dondra's small-town upbringing shaped her leadership style  The value of teamwork and lifelong learning  What makes Azamara Cruises different from larger cruise lines  Why authenticity and culture are at the heart of memorable guest experiences A fun, insightful conversation filled with leadership wisdom, travel inspiration, and a behind-the-scenes look into the world of luxury cruising.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TvkEzc3cbdMLinks:Dondra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dondra-ritzenthaler-a09158406/Azamara Cruises: https://www.azamara.com/homeFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/278Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Philipp Knuepfer spent 21 years mastering luxury hospitality at one of the world's most iconic hotel groups.General Manager in Boston. Area Vice President across Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. A career built on white-glove service, five-star standards, and the kind of brand loyalty that takes decades to earn.Then he walked away from all of it.Not because it wasn't working. But because he could see where hospitality was going  and it wasn't where most hotel groups were headed.The traveler has changed. The expectations have changed. And the old formula marble lobbies, chandelier entrances, scripted service, brand prestige  is quietly losing its grip on a new generation of guests who want something the traditional luxury hotel was never designed to give them.Connection. Community. A reason to stay that has nothing to do with the bed.What Philipp discovered after two decades at the top of global hospitality is this: when you turn off the light, every hotel room is the same. The room was never the product. It was always everything around it.That insight is what led him to Sunset Hospitality Group, a 360° lifestyle company that started with beach clubs and restaurants and is now one of the most aggressive hotel brands on the planet  as Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts.Now he's building something from scratch. A global hotel brand called Met. Thirty to forty properties over the next three to five years. Europe, Asia, the Americas. A model where guests don't just sleep in a hotel, they become part of a local community, a membership club, a wellness ecosystem, a living, breathing lifestyle experience that owns the full 24-hour cycle.This conversation goes deep on the future of luxury hospitality, what modern travelers are really searching for, how AI fits into the human side of service, and what it takes to leave a 21-year career behind and bet on a vision.One of the most energizing and forward-thinking conversations I have had on this show.I hope it moves you.Apply to work with me: https://www.michaelxcampion.com/ Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelxcampion/Guest - Philipp Knuepfer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-knuepfer-mba-22437014Philipp Knuepfer is the Chief Operating Officer of Sunset Hotels & Resorts, part of Sunset Hospitality Group  a global lifestyle hospitality company operating across hotels, dining, daylife, nightlife, gaming, and membership clubs in over 28 countries. With more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality, including senior leadership roles at Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group across Asia, the US, and the Middle East, Philipp now leads the global rollout of the Met Hotel brand. He holds a hotel management degree from the International School for Hotel Business in Germany and an MBA from RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia.(00:00) Every Hotel Room is the Same(01:19) What Modern Luxury Guests Actually Want (04:42) Why Sunset Hospitality Is Betting Big on Hotels (07:59) Where Met Hotel Is Expanding Globally (10:30) The Wellness & Longevity Shift in Travel (17:12) Designing Spaces for Community & Connection (26:04) AI in Hospitality Where It Helps & Where It Stops (32:53) How Philipp Manages a Global COO Role (37:33) Why He Left Mandarin Oriental for Sunset (47:09) Owning the Full 24-Hour Guest Experience

This year marks a major milestone for Shannon College of Hotel Management as the internationally recognised hospitality college celebrates 75 years since its foundation in 1951. Over the decades, the college has educated generations of hospitality leaders who have gone on to careers across the globe, and the anniversary celebrations this week will also see the launch of a brand-new undergraduate degree programme. To look back on the college's remarkable journey and ahead to its future, Alan Morrissey was joined by the Head of Shannon College, Adrian Sylver. Image (c) by Andrew Downes, Xposure. From left, Derek Barrett, CEO, The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, Helen Downes, Shannon Chamber, Adrian Sylver, Shannon College of Hotel Management and Shannon Chamber, Professor David Burns, President, University of Galway, Mick Guinee, Shannon Chamber, Dympna O'Callaghan, Shannon Chamber, and Ray O'Driscoll, Shannon Chamber, at an event to mark the 75th anniversary of Shannon College of Hotel Management and the launch of a new degree Bachelor of Business Global Luxury and Experience Management.

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/qrF6xn9XJIALinks: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/277Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Roman Pedan, the founder and CEO of Kasa, to discuss the future of hospitality, the role of AI in hotel operations, and how technology is reshaping the guest experience.Roman shares his journey from immigrating to the United States from Ukraine to studying at the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University, before building one of the hospitality industry's most innovative tech-enabled brands. He dives into the inspiration behind Kasa, lessons learned from private equity at KKR and Walton Street Capital, and why he believes hospitality operators need tighter integration between technology and operations.The conversation explores:How AI is transforming hospitality operations and guest communicationThe future of apartment hotels and flexible real estateWhy traditional hotel tech stacks are brokenThe importance of balancing automation with human hospitalityKasa's acquisition of Mint House and the company's rapid growthIf you're interested in hospitality innovation, hotel operations, real estate, or the future of travel technology, this is an episode you won't want to miss.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n-j4XSvUyLALinks:Roman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-pedan/Kasa: https://kasa.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/276Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Maura Zambarano, President of Mattress Concierge, for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, resilience, and the evolving role of sleep in hospitality.From a lightning-round icebreaker revealing Maura's calm-inducing superpower to a deeply personal story of unexpectedly taking over a company after tragedy, this episode explores how life experience, adaptability, and customer obsession can shape leadership in powerful ways.Maura shares her unconventional journey—from studying economics at Colorado State after a last-minute major switch, to grassroots sales launching a sauce business out of a converted Airstream, to building a career in senior living and ultimately stepping into the hospitality world through Mattress Concierge. She also dives into what makes boutique hospitality unique and why sleep has become one of the most overlooked yet critical components of the guest experience.The conversation highlights how boutique hotels are redefining comfort, why mattresses are a strategic investment rather than just a cost, and how personalization and wellness trends are shaping the future of hotel stays.In this episode you'll discover: How Maura Zambarano unexpectedly became President of Mattress Concierge and rebuilt a company from the ground up  Why sleep is one of the most undervalued drivers of guest satisfaction in hospitality  What boutique hotels are getting right (and wrong) about the guest experience  The future of personalized sleep experiences in hotels, from pillow menus to wellness-focused rooms  Why durability and design matter more than ever when selecting hotel mattresses Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2OX8QmpMmIw This episode is sponsored by Mattress Concierge: https://www.mattressconcierge.com/Links:Maura on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maura-zambarano-95403911/Mattress Concierge: https://www.mattressconcierge.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/275Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chas Scarantino, CEO of RoomPriceGenie, to explore how modern revenue management is transforming the independent hotel space. From his early career in logistics and HVAC sales to leading global SaaS companies, Chas shares the experiences that shaped his leadership style and his passion for hospitality tech.The conversation dives deep into the evolution of revenue management, the growing role of AI, and how independent hotels are now leveraging automation and data-driven pricing strategies once reserved for large chains. Chas also breaks down real-world pricing mistakes hoteliers make—and how smarter systems are helping them unlock significant revenue growth.In this episode you'll learn: How Chas Scarantino's background in logistics and global tech shaped his approach to leadership in hospitality SaaS  Why face-to-face sales experience still matters in a highly digital, AI-driven world  The biggest lessons from building and scaling startups across health tech, product analytics, and hospitality  How RoomPriceGenie's Revenue Intelligence is helping hotels make faster, smarter pricing decisions in real timeWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/fVQqGYwMBO0 This episode is sponsored by Room Price Genie: https://roompricegenie.com/Links:Chas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chas-scarantino-31a5673/Room Price Genie: https://roompricegenie.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/274Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Jennifer Olson, the Director of Commercial National Accounts, SERVPRO Team Zubricki, for a wide-ranging conversation on the biggest trends shaping hospitality today.They dive into the growing concern around hospitality as a long-term career path for younger generations and discuss what the industry can do to attract and retain new talent. The conversation then shifts to the airline industry, unpacking the attempted American–United merger and what it signals about competition, consumer impact, and the future of air travel.The trio also explores shifting travel behaviors, including the rise in domestic travel driven by geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, and what that means for hotels needing to elevate guest experience. From there, they break down the growing popularity of glamping and how major hotel brands are entering the outdoor hospitality space.A timely, insightful episode packed with real-world hospitality trends, industry strategy, and behind-the-scenes stories you won't want to miss.In this episode, you'll discover: Why hospitality is struggling to attract younger talent—and what the industry can do to change that  What the attempted American–United airline merger reveals about competition and the future of air travel  How rising costs, geopolitical tensions, and uncertainty are reshaping travel habits and driving more domestic trips  How SERVPRO supports hotels in restoring operations quickly after catastrophic events Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6S0HRgof9_8Links:Jennifer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-olson-a74651a0/SERVPRO: https://www.servpro.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/273Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, host David Millili brings listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston, hosted in partnership with ILC. David sits down with leading vendors and innovators including Airbnb, Watermelon Ghost, Direct Booker, Stash Rewards, Cloudbeds, Directful, and Canary Technologies. Across these conversations, a clear theme emerges: the independent hotel space is at a turning point driven by AI, evolving guest expectations, and the ongoing battle for direct bookings versus OTAs.Guests discuss how AI is reshaping discoverability, guest engagement, and operations, while also raising critical questions about visibility in AI-driven search. From loyalty programs and retention platforms to booking infrastructure and guest experience tools, each guest shares how they're helping independent hotels compete, differentiate, and thrive.You'll hear perspectives on: How AI is changing hotel discovery and booking behavior  The future of direct bookings and OTA dependency  Experiential stays and evolving guest expectations  Why independent hotels have a unique opportunity in the AI era Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wZUi1eIuS5ALinkedIn Links:Audrey Yates - VP of Hotel Partnerships, Stash RewardsAdam Harris - CEO, CloudbedsTim Kinsella - Global Sales - Strategy, Canary TechnologiesRon Sandel - Director of Hotels, AirbnbGeorgie Downie - Co-Founder & CEO, Watermelon GhostLindsay Wenger - VP of Sales, DirectfulSanjay Vakil - Co-Founder & CEO, Direct BookerMeg Gutowski - ILCFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/272Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, host David Millili sits down with Richard Aday, CEO and Co-founder of ThinkReservations, for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, technology, and the evolving hospitality landscape.Richard shares his journey from building websites as a child in a tech-savvy family, to studying electrical and computer engineering, working at Amazon, and ultimately founding ThinkReservations  after a chance encounter with a boutique hotel in Puerto Rico sparked a bold idea. He also reflects on growing up in a Cuban-American family in South Florida, the influence of a strong work ethic, and how his passion for travel and guest experience shaped his career in hospitality tech.The conversation explores how ThinkReservations is redefining property management systems by prioritizing guest experience, simplicity, and customer support. Richard discusses the company's evolution from a bootstrapped startup to a full hospitality platform, now including booking engines, channel management, marketing websites, payments, and accounting solutions.In this episode, you'll learn about:  How independent hoteliers can compete with OTAs and increase direct bookings  The role of AI and automation in guest engagement  What defines high-performing modern hoteliers today  The biggest friction points in the guest journey and how technology is removing them This is a must-listen episode for hoteliers, hospitality tech leaders, and anyone interested in how innovation is reshaping the guest experience and the future of independent hospitality.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/qTgezcv7DbU Links:Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-aday-59182452/ ThinkReservations: https://www.thinkreservations.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/271Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special episode, host David Millili takes listeners inside Indie Cultivate Boston in partnership with ILC, capturing candid conversations with some of the most forward-thinking leaders in hospitality.Across the discussions, a common theme emerges while AI and automation are transforming back-of-house operations, the future of hospitality remains deeply human—rooted in creativity, storytelling, and meaningful guest connection. Leaders also reflect on the importance of independence in hotel development, the value of intimate industry gatherings like ILC, and how new models are reshaping ownership, management, and guest experience.In this episode, you'll learn: How leading hotel operators are thinking about AI—not as a replacement for people, but as a tool to automate and augment hospitality operations while keeping guest experience human-first  Why independent hotels continue to thrive through creativity, storytelling, and strong emotional connection with guests  How technology platforms like integrated PMS systems and “hospitality operating systems” are helping smaller hotel brands scale more efficiently  What “Powered by Kasa” and similar models mean for hoteliers looking to build brands faster without losing creative control  The emerging balance between technology-driven efficiency and analog, human-centered hospitality experiencesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/A6U4jtjfbpg LinkedIn Links:Roman Pedan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roman-pedan-594897325/Steven Rubin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenmrubin/Jen Parks: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferfigariparks/Jason August: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaugust/Brian Meyer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-meyer-b004832b6/John Flannigan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-flannigan-73550a1/Jen Barnwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-barnwell-a8689ba/Matt Schwartz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewaschwartz/Andrew Benioff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/llenrockgroupbenioff/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/270Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-..Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Shane O'Flaherty, Global Director of Travel, Transportation, and Hospitality at Microsoft, for a deep dive into the future of hospitality.Shane shares his fascinating journey—from growing up in a rodeo and circus environment to shaping global hospitality standards and now leading innovation at one of the world's biggest tech companies. Along the way, he unpacks powerful lessons on networking, reinvention, and the evolving role of technology in travel.The conversation explores how AI is transforming the hospitality industry—from a “tool” to a true “partner”—and what that means for hotel operators, staff, and guest experiences. Shane breaks down why AI is even bigger than the internet, how personalization can be done right, and why empowering employees with better technology is the key to unlocking exceptional service.You'll also hear insights on: The future of AI and “agentic” workflows in hospitality  Why personalization still falls short—and how to fix it  The role of data, digital twins, and predictive maintenance in hotels  How independent hotels and big brands can compete in an AI-driven world  Real-world examples of next-level guest experiencesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yDJYBuefp4o Links:Shane on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-o-flaherty/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/269Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Last week, Suzanne Bagnera brought one of 11 student teams from nine schools to the AAHOACON Collegiate Championship, and the students ran the kind of decisions real GMs deal with. During AAHOACON 2026, where No Vacancy was the official podcast, I interviewed Suzanne Bagnera, PhD, CHA, CED about the competition and what she saw as the professor who brought the students.

On this week's episode, host Caryn Antonini is joined by international Executive Chef Zouheir al Mokallalati  whose life story is deeply rooted in culinary tradition, culture, and decades of global experience. Chef Zouheir comes from a proud Lebanese family of chefs spanning six generations, where cooking has always been more than a profession, it is a heritage passed down through generations. Inspired by this legacy, Chef Zouheir pursued a degree in Hotel Management and went on to build an incredible career in hospitality that now spans more than 40 years. During that time, he has worked in prestigious five-star hotels and diplomatic restaurants across seven countries, including the iconic Kuwait Towers. Chef is fluent in four languages - Arabic, English, French, and Russian - and has shared the rich traditions and flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine with people from many cultures around the world. Today, he continues that mission beyond the kitchen, sharing traditional recipes, cooking techniques, and stories from his career with an impressive audience on social media.For more information on our guest:@chef_zouheirCaryn Antoniniwww.cultivatedbycaryn.com@carynantonini@cultivatedbycarynshow###Get great recipes from Caryn at https://carynantonini.com/recipes/

What if hotels could turn every delivery into a revenue stream instead of a cost? What if the “last mile” wasn't a problem—but the biggest untapped opportunity in hospitality? In this episode, host David Millili sits down with entrepreneur and innovator Robert DeDomenico to explore a bold vision for the future of hospitality logistics and last-mile delivery.Robert shares the origin story behind CargoFish, a concept aimed at transforming how hotels manage food and goods delivery by turning it into a utility-like infrastructure—removing friction, reducing costs, and challenging dominant delivery platforms. Drawing parallels to bridges replacing ferries, he explains why he believes the current last-mile system is inefficient, expensive, and overdue for disruption.Throughout the conversation, Robert walks through his unconventional journey—from growing up in New Jersey and serving as a nuclear submarine reactor operator in the U.S. Navy, to working in energy and business systems, and ultimately developing his startup idea after years of technical problem-solving and research.The episode also covers: His persistence through early entrepreneurial setbacks, including Shark Tank auditions  How CargoFish aims to integrate with hotels to increase revenue and improve guest experience  Why hotels may be uniquely positioned to compete with platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats  The broader vision of turning delivery infrastructure into a scalable utility model for hospitalityWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1GSSmv5qwN0 Links:Robert on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-dedomenico-0874b122/CargoFish LLC: https://www.cargofish.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/267Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, host David Millili sits down with Hospitality Creators Summit co-founders Anna Blue and Anthony Melchiorri to unpack one of the most exciting new movements in the industry.They dive into the mission behind the Hospitality Creators Summit, an invite-only (but free) event designed to bring together creators, storytellers, and community builders across hospitality. From the growing importance of content creators in B2B spaces to the massive gap between traditional industry players and modern digital voices, this conversation explores why creators are no longer optional—they're essential.Anna and Anthony share why the summit focuses on real, practical value: helping creators grow their platforms, increase engagement, monetize content, and build meaningful partnerships. They also tackle bigger themes like collaboration over competition, the power of community, and why the future of hospitality belongs to those willing to create, share, and show up authentically.Whether you're a seasoned professional or an aspiring creator, this episode highlights a major shift happening in hospitality—and why you don't want to be left behind.Key Topics: The rise of B2B content creators in hospitality  Why traditional marketing is no longer enough  The vision behind the Hospitality Creators Summit  Bridging the gap between generations and technology  Collaboration vs. competition in the creator economy  How creators can grow, monetize, and stand out Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/YoYVR6gUP8oLinks:Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-blue/Anthony on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonymelchiorri/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/266Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Join Steve Carran and David Millili on this month's episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality Hot Topics as we break down the biggest happenings in March for the hospitality industry. This episode features a candid conversation with Bashar Wali, CEO, founder, and one of the world's top social media influencers, as he shares insights from his global travels and perspectives on hospitality trends, hotel design, and industry challenges.Topics covered in this episode include:Government Shutdown & Airport SecurityHilton adds Yotel as First in Select by HiltonDesign Focused HotelsGood-Bye to the Goodtime HotelSize Does MatterBashar also shares his thoughts on creating hotels that inspire, deliver authentic experiences, and stand out in an increasingly copy-paste industry. Whether you're a hotelier, traveler, or hospitality enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights and lively discussion.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LASK2yVHBU0 Links:Bashar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/basharwali/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/265Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Dr. Sharmin Dharas, Chief Experience Officer at Hotel ZAZZ and Chief Storyteller at HERstory Hospitality.Sharmin's journey is anything but traditional. From growing up in a 13-room Route 66 motor lodge to becoming a physician, entrepreneur, author, and boutique hotel visionary, she shares how her diverse background shaped one of the most unique hospitality concepts in the country.The conversation dives into the creation of Hotel ZAZZ, a colorful and rebellious boutique motor lodge in Albuquerque that blends wellness, storytelling, and experiential design—including a hidden speakeasy unlocked by tapping the famous Golden Banana. Sharmin also shares how authenticity, creativity, and community partnerships helped the property gain global attention, including recognition from Forbes as one of the must-see hotels in the world.Along the way, the discussion explores entrepreneurship, Route 66 tourism, scaling independent hospitality brands, and Sharmin's mission to empower more women to become hotel owners through HERstory Hospitality.In this episode, you'll learn: How Sharmin transitioned from medicine to boutique hotel ownership  Why authenticity is the secret to creating viral, Instagram-worthy hospitality experiences  How Route 66 tourism brings international travelers to boutique properties  The importance of community collaboration and hyper-local experiences Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SjlSwSoSD-M Links:Dr. Sharmin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharmindharas/Hotel ZAZZ: https://www.hotelzazz.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/264Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

How can hotels, especially independent and boutique properties, build effective marketing strategies that drive bookings, maximize revenue, and stand out in a competitive market? In this episode, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Jody Merl, Founder and President of Innovative Travel Marketing, to dive into her incredible journey from aspiring actress to hospitality marketing powerhouse.Jody shares insights from her decades of experience working with luxury hotels, launching campaigns for JetBlue and iconic properties like the Paramount Hotel, and building long-term client relationships that have stood the test of time. She also reveals what separates successful hotel marketing campaigns from those that fall flat and offers actionable advice for hotel operators and marketing professionals.In this episode, you'll discover: The story behind launching JetBlue with a $2M radio campaign funded entirely through trade  How to fill gaps in hotel marketing and maximize underutilized inventory  What are the key strategies for aligning marketing campaigns with long-term business goals  The importance of integrated, multi-channel campaigns across digital, print, and PR  Why is the landscape of hospitality marketing evolving from traditional advertising to targeted digital campaigns Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/I6vpIq8JcBs Links:Jody on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymerl/Innovative Travel Marketing: https://www.innovativetravelmarketing.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/263Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special episode, recorded live at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta, host David Millili sits down with Peter Wenzell, CEO of Wenzell and Fisher Hospitality Group. Peter shares his journey into hospitality, inspired by his father's work in airport concessions, and how that early exposure to travel and hotels shaped his career path.The conversation dives into one of the hospitality industry's biggest challenges today—staffing. Peter explains how Wenzell and Fisher's hotel task force services help hotels quickly fill operational gaps, from unexpected staff resignations to temporary leave coverage, ensuring properties continue running smoothly.They also discuss the evolving workforce landscape, why hotels must get creative with employee retention and incentives, and how the industry can compete with employers offering higher wages. Peter shares his perspective on the growing role of technology and AI in hospitality, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with the human connection that defines great hospitality.In this episode, you'll learn more about: How Peter Wenzell got his start in the hospitality industry  What hotel task force services are and how they solve staffing gaps  The biggest staffing challenges hotels are facing today Strategies hoteliers can use to retain and motivate employees Why networking and industry events like the Hunter Conference matter in hospitalityWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ltHaV05Elo8 Links:Peter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wenzell-b11b9414b/Wenzell & Fisher Hospitality Group: https://www.wenzellfisherhg.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/262Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

David Millili sits down with Brian Popelmayer of Lockton Companies at the Hunter Conference in Atlanta to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry today: rising hotel insurance costs.In this episode, Brian shares insights from more than 23 years in the insurance industry, including how the hotel insurance marketplace has evolved, why liability insurance costs are rising, and what hotel owners and management companies must do to protect their balance sheets.Brian also breaks down emerging risks in hospitality such as human trafficking, sexual misconduct liability, environmental exposures, mold, and Legionella claims, and explains how hoteliers can secure the right coverage in an increasingly complex insurance market.If you're a hotel owner, operator, asset manager, or hospitality professional, this episode will give you a clear look at the risks shaping the industry and practical strategies to manage insurance costs while protecting your business.In this episode, we cover:• How Brian Popelmayer got into the hospitality insurance industry• Why hotel insurance costs have risen from 1.2% to nearly 2% of operating revenue• How hotel owners can secure better insurance coverage• The positive trends in the property insurance marketWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DUIM79T4FuY Links:Brian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianpopelmayer/Lockton: https://www.global.lockton.com/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/261Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Recorded live at the 2026 Hunter Conference in Atlanta, this special episode of The Modern Hotelier: Hospitality's Most Engaged Podcast brings together key voices from the Hunter team to unpack what's really happening behind the scenes in today's hotel investment market.In this episode, Host David Millili sits down with Mayank Patel, Sophia Pittaluga, and Kami Burnette to discuss the forces shaping hotel deals right now—from economic uncertainty and rising operating costs to shifting buyer expectations and the growing demand for luxury and lifestyle properties.The conversation explores the biggest disconnects between buyers and sellers, how macroeconomic factors and local market dynamics are influencing investment decisions, and why financing and renovation costs are playing a critical role in today's negotiations. The group also looks ahead to what the hotel investment landscape could look like by the next Hunter Conference, including the potential impact of AI on underwriting, asset management, and deal-making.Plus, they share why the Hunter Conference remains one of the industry's most important events—bringing together everyone from regional developers to Wall Street investors to spark conversations and close deals.In this episode, you'll learn: What hotel owners and investors may be overlooking in the current market  The biggest buyer vs. seller disconnects affecting transactions today  Why financing and renovation costs are shaping deal negotiations  How AI could transform hotel investment and operations  Why lifestyle and luxury properties are attracting more attention from investorsWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/2q_byG5bf60Links:Mayank PatelSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsMayank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayank-patel-2b15206/?skipRedirect=true Sophia PittalugaSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsSophia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophiapittaluga/?skipRedirect=true Kami BurnetteSVP, Hunter Hotel AdvisorsKami on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kamiburnette/?skipRedirect=true Hunter Advisors: https://hunteradvisors.co/For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/260Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

Ever wondered how hotels set the “perfect” price, why AI is changing the game, and what the future of travel really looks like?In this episode of The Modern Hotelier, hosts David Millili and Steve Carran sit down with Chris Anderson, Professor at Cornell University and former Director of the Cornell Center for Hospitality Research, to unpack the evolving world of hotel revenue management, pricing strategy, and guest analytics.What You'll Learn in This Episode:The evolution of revenue management and pricing in hotels over the last few decadesHow AI is transforming demand forecasting, guest intent analysis, and revenue optimizationStrategies for independent hotels to compete with big brandsWhat are the predictions for travel, luxury hospitality, and pricing trends in 2026 and beyond? Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Pksb5lJZfKI Links:Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskanderson/Cornell University: https://www.cornell.edu/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/259Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, Join David Millili and Steve Carran for another engaging episode of The Modern Hotelier, the most engaged podcast in hospitality. Today, we sit down with Kristie Goshow, CCO of Loews Hotels & Co., to explore her journey in travel, hospitality, and leadership.We dive into Kristie's early experiences in travel and aviation, lessons learned from Virgin Atlantic and Scandinavian Airlines, and her insights on building successful teams, cultivating hotel culture, and innovating in the luxury and independent hotel markets.Kristie also discusses the role of AI in hospitality, balancing technology with human connection, and the future of personalized guest experiences. She offers advice for aspiring leaders in the industry and shares her thoughts on women in hospitality and how to navigate a path to the C-suite.In this episode, we cover:How growing up connected to Holland and traveling with her father shaped her passion for the travel industry.Strategies for maintaining authentic culture and leadership within a hotel organizationThe role of AI in hospitality and how it can enhance human connectionHow great leaders build others and foster success in the industry.Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GiasMp_g5XQLinks:Kristie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristiegoshowLoews Hotels & Co.: https://www.loewshotels.com/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/258Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, Steve Carran, David Millili, and Jon Bumhoffer break down the latest trends and insights from February in the hospitality industry. From rising midscale hotel rates to the booming luxury market, they explore what's shaping travel in 2026 and beyond.  What we cover in this episode:Why the $150 midscale hotel room is disappearing and what travelers are paying nowHow inflation, rising operating costs, and labor expenses are changing hotel pricingThe shift towards AI-driven personalization and dynamic hotel packagesOpportunities for Airbnb hosts during the World Cup and the changing landscape of long-term staysTips for getting better hotel rates: price matching, direct bookings, and leveraging technologyWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0pidWSZCogFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/257Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

What does the future of hospitality look like in an AI-driven world? Join David Millili at ITB Berlin for a deep dive into the future of hospitality technology with Darko Bosancic, Senior Vice President of Travel & Hospitality at Sirma. In this episode, we explore how hotels can move beyond fragmented tech stacks, leverage AI agents, and build connected ecosystems that enhance operations, guest experiences, and data security.In this episode, you'll learn about:How AI agents are transforming hotel operations and guest communicationsStrategies for integrating multiple hotel technology systems without disruptionWays to scale tech platforms globally while maintaining data security and complianceHow Sirma acts as an “embedded technology partner” to accelerate innovationWhat autonomous AI agents could mean for the future of hotel management Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2DVQYIqP9Ok Links:Darko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darkobosancic/Sirma: https://sirma.com/Sirma.AI Enterprise: https://sirma.ai/ For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/256Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

What's Next for the Hospitality Industry?Join David Millili and Steve Carran as they sit down with Rosanna Maietta, CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), to discuss the state of the hospitality industry, labor challenges, AI in hotels, and the incredible ways hotels give back to their communities.In this episode, you'll learn about:The hospitality trends for 2026 and guest spending forecastsHow the industry is addressing labor shortages and workforce developmentThe role of AI and technology in enhancing hotel operations without losing the human touchInspiring stories of hotels supporting their local communitiesWatch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v9M5gyx9fi0Links:Rosanna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rosanna-maietta-669a9151/AHLA: https://www.ahla.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americanhotelassociation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hotelassociationYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAHLAFor full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/255Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn pageConnect with Steve and David:Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.