The Social Hotelier

Welcome to the 2nd episode of 3 part series called The Why, What and How of digital marketing in tourism and hospitality I am with Juha Pesonen,  Head of eTourism Research at University of Eastern Finland In this episodes we are discussing about  Defining a strategy to reach business goals. We will talk about Where does strategy work start in tourism business? -> Strategy defines how we get from w...

Why bother with Digital Marketing for Tourism and Hospitality. Discussing in this three part series with Juho Pesonen, Tourism Marketing and Management Master’s Degree Programme Director; Adjunct Professor, Head of eTourism Research, University of Eastern Finland.

When it comes to size, today, modern hospitality faces two extreme trends: either over-extending with large facilities featuring pools, restaurants and luxurious amenities, or paring down to the simplest form with practical, mobile concepts. Focus on the latter which are shaping the future of hospitality. Discussion with Willem van Bolderen, Architect, Partner of Studio Architects.

The hospitality industry faces overwhelming uncertainty and risks right now. The loss of a job and loss of stability increases a person’s risk to experience mental health issues… and they are at a much higher risk to attempt drastic actions” Maintaining mental health is both more challenging and more important in these unprecedented times. Sam-Erik Ruttmann is speaking with Dragan Donkov Manager L...

Thrilled to speak with Willem van Bolderen, Architect and on of the founders of Studio Puisto Architects, about their the latest developments in hospitality architecture, called Space of Mind. We also discuss the benefit of wood as a building material to create sustainability sound buildings. He also described the modern approach in using technology new way of standardising, to standardise to cust...

I spoke with Hani Abu Dayeeh, President NETOURS, and Chairman of the Board, Bethlehem University Tourism Institute. He was reflecting on the challenges facing tourism in Betlehem Post Covid, and how it has affected people in the Palestine region. He also spoke about – Plans for Project Betlehem Reborn 2021 starting with the First Advent and of course about Basilica of the Nativity in Bethleh...

Thrilled to speak with the Bangkok based Rohit Sachdev – Chief Executive Officer Soho Hospitality, about innovation and changes in restaurant and bars offerings, operating models and dining preferences. What are the KPI’s, key pillars that make restaurants and bars succesful. Rohit outlines ways to find new customers. He also talks not only experiential but actually how authenticity is key d...

Hospitality Insight is thrilled to have Paul Steen, Director of Global Accounts, Tonja Barwick, Managing Director and Brian Plott, Regional Vice President, HelmsBriscoe. We will have an opportunity to hear from the global leader in meetings procurement & site selection about the state of the meeting, incentives, conferences and events industry, emerging trends and recovery efforts. We hear ab...

I am absolutely thrilled to bring the following industry leaders, Dr, Hisham Zaazou, Former Minister of Tourism Egypt, Serkan Ceylan, Bodrum Promotion Foundation, Turkey, and Nikos Hadjos, Strategic Advisor, Hotel Investments , to discuss industry challenges and opportunities in the Mediterranean Region. Serkan Ceylan: • Share with us what is the attraction of Bodrum, who are attracted to stay the...

Discussing with Abhisek Bose and Anupam Verma, co-founders of revo-ex technologies. How innovative hospitality solutions may revolutionise the guest experience with mobile technologies. revo-ex has developed a mobile technology solution for hotels that responds to the current business traveler needs of app based solution to provide convenient services for the hotel guests. 🔴Sam-Erik Ruttmann shar...

What are the most important deep tech solutions for travel and tourism, and why they matter for hotels current and post covid era! 1) Latest travel & tourism industry news, as the first set of lockdowns are lifting 2) Deep Technologies based solutions for Travel & Tourism industry for the current and post-Covid era. Links to the topics we discussed: – China’s Smart Hotels Art...

The next innovation and disruption in the Travel and Tourism industry could come from… Banking & Financial Services and Technology industries According to a research made by Podium 96% of businesses say a fast response to customers is important. Yet, 82% of customers say businesses aren’t fast enough. There is a huge gap between expectation and actual when it comes to speed and re...

In this segment of Hospitality Talks, Sam-Erik Ruttmann and Abid Butt invited.industry professionals to discuss industry challenges in the current environment. Guests include Alex Cabanas – CEO Benchmark Global Hospitality, Dr. Erinn Tucker, PhD, MBA, MS, CDMP. – Faculty Director & Associate Professor Georgetown University and Michael Frenkel – President MFC Public Relations...

John Podaras is a long term resident and hospitality expert based in Dubai. He is sharing his experiences and observations of the interesting changes in Saudi Arabia with the launch of Hospitality Giga projects supporting the Saudi Arabia 2030 vision. John also shares the attitude of Dubai and Saudi Arabia dealing with the corona virus, and how the pandemic has been effecting daily life.

I am discussing with Yasha Chatab, based in Jakarta, about everyday life in Jakarta. We also talk about government encouragements for people to travel more. Bali announced ¨Love Bali ¨campaign to entice travellers to visit The island of Gods. Does this approach work?

Interview with Filip Boyen, CEO, Forbes Travel Guide. – Breaking down what Forbes Travel Guide do. ( Inspections, Classifications and Service standards) – What are the needs of high end travellers ( Boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z are they really that different? – Challenges in the industry with hotel school graduates. How to attract, inspire and motivate the new generation talent....

We discuss with my guest Sehnaz Cehreli, authority and expert on the needs of the new generation travellers. They are socially responsible, believe in sustainability and living to experience the unique moment. What should the travel destinations and hotels do successfully market and serve the needs of the travellers.

Discussion with a recent hotel school graduates, how some interns perceive their time as trainees. Why is there some reluctancy and loss of passion to stay in the industry? How should we tackle this dilemma about the so called talent drain. Here is the link to the report mentioned, about the expectations and gaps between the employers and talent. https://www.yhsglobal.com/yhs-rankings

Hotel Talks is a monthly show co hosted with Abid Butt, a global leader in the hospitality industry. We discuss the burning topics that effect the global hospitality industry. In this segment our topics are on the Macro level; Geopolitical Elements, Demographics, Safety Security. We dig deep into Exponential Technology; Hyper Technology, Customer Journey and Service Delivery. We touch on topics su...

PHUKET: The narrow laneways and pastel-coloured shophouses of Phuket Old Town are usually bustling with Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday, but travel bans and local fears about coronavirus have largely emptied the streets this year. Just a handful of tourists, many wearing face masks, strolled through the area during daylight hours this week. In the evening, foot traffic increased...

Happy New Year 2020. May this year be full of happiness, less stressful, more truthful with less false news. Jayanth Kolla Technology Trend Watcher joins me for a conversation about Technology evolution and predictions for 2020 and onwards. Jayanth is an oft-quoted industry leader whose viewpoints and analyst notes are regularly published in leading business publications including Mint, Wall Stree...

Greger and I are both live stream enthusiasts. We met couple of years in an online community to learn how to create live videos. We sharing some anecdotes how it was to first go live. Greger being a teacher and musician told me had a lot fun doing his first live streams. I on the other got hit with the ¨live video adrenaline monster ¨. We are sharing tips and tricks how to create your own show, wh...

Great Customer Service Experience in hotels are not enough anymore! The bold headline has some truth in it in the context of hotel marketing. We will have to be able to reach the fickle mobile driven customer looking to catch their attention, while the consider which hotel they will choose for their next stay. Video is the best way to tell stories and connect with a customer. But effective video m...

We talked about the evolution of the travel aggregators aka. OTA that is a way of hotels t become ever so more visible online. Travellers find the websites useful as they can compare rates, reviews and availability of many different accommodation options at one glance, and book them quickly and easily in just a few clicks. The hotel can be usually listed free of charge, and add nice pictures, desc...

What happens to tourism businesses that do not listen to changes in travellers habits? Sadly we know the answer to that question, they collapse. The leading hotelier association in Spain are crying foul. Also there is a claim that Thomas Cook in this case ruined the booked trips when the news was announced. In this episode we talk about what believe is the probable reason. More importantly what to...