Werben im Podcast: SMACK Hospitality

The brand is sold, the tech is integrated, and a new star is rising. If you are wondering what hotel operations will actually look like in the next few years, Lennert De Jong is already there, blueprint in hand. In the latest SMACK episode, Florian sits down with the CEO of Another Star (and ex-CitizenM legend) to unpack one of the most talked-about moves in hospitality lately: CitizenM selling the brand to Marriott. Yep. That one. They get into how Lennert and his team pulled off a record-speed tech integration in four months (casual) and why the so-called “death of loyalty” is wildly exaggerated in the age of AI. What is on the table: - The Marriott move: why selling the brand but keeping operations was the smartest scale play in the room. - Another Star is born: how CitizenM turned into a white-label operator with serious firepower. - AI and distribution: why AI agents might actually help hotels claw back direct bookings from the OTAs. - Loyalty, upgraded: why Marriott Bonvoy is still a cheat code for conquering the world’s biggest cities. Hit play on all platforms and check out how Lennert and his team decided to flip the game once again. Think big hotel chains are dinosaurs? This episode might ruin that narrative. Enjoy the show!

Building a travel media empire isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Rafat Ali knows exactly what he’s talking about. This December, Fritz sits down with Rafat, founder and CEO of Skift, for a conversation loaded with insider insights on travel media, startups, and the raw realities of running a global brand. They get into everything from how Skift carved out a voice that matters worldwide, to keeping pace in a whirlwind industry, Rafat’s personal journey navigating the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and even their thoughts on New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. In other words, here’s what you’ll hear about: - Media Mastery: how Skift became the global voice of travel, and how Rafat sees the next chapter unfolding - Industry Dynamics: what’s actually driving travel trends beyond the headlines and the hype - Founder Life: his personal path and the lessons learned Hit play, this one hits both the head and the gut. Enjoy the show!

Money talks, but hotels walk the walk! And Dirk Bakker knows exactly which ones are worth your attention… We’re warming up this month of November with an episode packed with insider perspectives from Dirk, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers. During the Future Hospitality Summit 2025 in Dubai, Dirk and Fritz dove into what’s shaping hotel investments, how destinations get Instagram-famous overnight, and much more... In other words, you’ll hear about: - Investment Outlook EMEA: trends, risks, and where the smart money is going - Travel & Experience: the destinations that still deliver jaw-dropping guest moments - AI & Service: which parts of hospitality tech can replace humans, and which can’t… Enjoy the show!

What does it really take to grow a hotel brand across continents? SMACK is back with an episode packed with insider insights from Elie Milky, Chief Development Officer of Radisson Hotel Group for the Middle East, North East Africa, Cyprus, and Greece. In preparation for the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit, he joined Fritz in Dubai to unpack how Radisson Hotel Group develops brands that last, navigates lifestyle hotels, and explores the booming world of branded residences. In this episode: • How Radisson Hotel Group sniffs out concepts that actually stick as brands • Lifestyle hotels: why being “cool” beats collecting stars • Branded residences: hype, bling, and whether buyers actually get their money’s worth • Europe vs Middle East: markets, madness, and money moves If you thought hotel development was boring… think again. Enjoy the show!

Two industry titans in one iconic room?! SMACK Season 7 is officially starting, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off. Christopher Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Simon Naudi, Group CEO of Corinthia Hotels, joined Fritz at the stunning Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels during the GHA’s annual CEO meeting. The result? A masterclass in loyalty, luxury, and GRAND Boutique. In this Season 7 opener: • Why GHA’s #loyalty model is winning over independent brands • How #Corinthia blends grand hotels with boutique soul • What tomorrow’s #luxurytraveler actually wants, and expects • Why local authenticity still rules in a global game This bomb of an opening episode is live now on all platforms! Hit play, take notes, and welcome to a brand new season of SMACK. Enjoy the show!

First it was finance spreadsheets, now it’s suite dreams: Ian Di Tullio’s journey to the top of Minor Hotels is anything but ordinary. Let’s just say: it started with data and ended with loyalty (lots of it). We mic’d up with the Global Chief Commercial Officer, Ian Di Tullio, who went from flying high with Air Canada & Accor to shaking up hospitality from Bangkok with brains, heart, and some serious backend magic. In this one, we get into: - What the airline industry taught him about innovation and squeezing margin magic - How data & AI = power (when you actually use it right) - And why respect > synergy when it comes to brand acquisitions Enjoy the show!

Say hello to Samuel Njoroge, Director of Quality Assurance & Sustainability at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, joining our latest Breaktime episode with the fabulous Mari. Talking trash (literally), tech, and turning purpose into planet-saving action. From phone operator in 2009 to full-blown eco-legend today, Samuel’s journey is pure SMACK: hustle, heart, and a whole lot of green ambition. What’s on the Breaktime menu? - Climbing the ranks and building a regional sustainability strategy that actually works - AI-powered bins, data-driven food waste reduction, and how Winnow helped save 21,000+ meals - Why educating kids to plant trees and clean beaches is both adorable and revolutionary (warning: might trigger proud-parent tears) His vibe? Calm, clear, and climate-conscious: “Sustainability isn’t just CSR. It’s everyone’s responsibility – and it starts at home.” Enjoy the show!

From courtroom to boardroom, now serving global hospitality with that Spanish spice. Meet María Zarraluqui, VP of Global Development at Meliá Hotels International, lawyer-turned-development-queen and Mallorca-based hospitality firecracker. We caught up with her at IHIF2025 in Berlin, where our host Florian had the mic, and María brought the magic. In this episode: How a life twist landed her at Meliá... where 25 years later, she’s still rocking the show. Why Spanish hospitality isn’t just service: it’s soul, sunshine, and secret sauce. How “Mujeres en Hospitality” started as a Friday video call and turned into a full-on movement of mentoring and powerful community. Her vibe? Big energy, bigger wisdom: “Believe in yourself, raise your voice, make your knowledge and your capabilities visible.” Enjoy the show!

Swiping Right on Luxury & Small Hotels. The wait is finally over… As you might know, Richard Hyde, COO of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, took the hot seat SMACK Live at Young Hoteliers Summit at #EHL in Lausanne and here comes his podcast episode. From his slide into hospitality to building what he calls the “Tinder of Hotels” – matching dream stays with the perfect guests – Richard spilled the tea about working with SLH with style, wit, and a whole lotta love for the world of small luxury. This exclusive SMACK Live episode dives into: - What a day in the life of a COO really looks like (spoiler: it involves strategy, sales, numbers, and his amazing team). - The secret life of SLH’s mystery inspectors (yes, they’re real – and no, they’re not paid). - The new Unplugged Collection: massive phone detox, luxury edition. - His dream hotel: small, warm, Italian, and family-style hospitality that sticks with you forever. Also, if you’re someone who tries to dodge long emails and Zoom marathons to have real conversations instead: Richard might just be your new role model. So tell us… If hotels were on Tinder, who would you swipe right on? Enjoy the show!

Are you ready for some stories about waffles, wellness, and the CIA? Adam Crocini isn’t just shaping Hilton’s F&B scene across 8,000+ properties - he and his team have also been pushing those legendary DIY waffles like true breakfast evangelists. Yes, the iconic Hampton by Hilton ones. As SVP of Global Design, Wellness, and Food & Beverage at Hilton, Adam oversees everything from restaurant concepts to wellness initiatives. But don’t let the fancy title fool you - he believes real hospitality leadership starts at the bottom, sleeves rolled up, hands in the action. No shortcuts here! Adam and Fritz met up at the Taste of Hilton F&B Conference in Istanbul, where Adam dished out some insider stories about his work and his involvement with the Culinary Institute of America... From his early days in the kitchen to running Michelin-starred operations and massive casino resorts, Adam has seen it all. And now, he’s on SMACK to tell you all about it... Enjoy the show!

Buckle up, hospitality fans, this episode is double trouble on the mic! Glenn Hausman, Podcast Host and initiator of THE No Vacancy Podcast, joined Flo to discuss how one moves from editing hip-hop videos to running one of the biggest podcasts in #hospitality. Flo and Glenn chat about personal branding, career moves, and why AI will never be able to replace real human connections. Glenn gets real about his early struggles, the podcast boom, and the importance of showing up as your true self. If you’re looking for a lesson on authenticity, passion, curiosity, and how to skyrocket your own personal-brand… then listen closely to this one! What moment during a hotel stay makes you most excited? 🤩 Enjoy the show!

What do sustainability, the future of hospitality, and King Charles III have in common? Turns out, more than you’d think – and Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, is here to spill the tea (or should we say, the royal Earl Grey?). In this episode, Glenn met with Phil to chat about what sustainability really means for #hospitality and tourism and how ‘the Alliance’ is planning to get the whole industry on board to go #netpositive. From practical tips to planet-sized challenges, he keeps it real about why going green isn’t just a trend – it’s the only future. Glenn paints a clear picture of how hospitality can step up and lead the way to a greener planet – with actionable insights for big and small players to tackle issues like modern slavery, food waste, and other sustainability topics – one initiative at a time. Hit play and join the conversation! Enjoy the show!

How to avoid cranky customers and rainy days 🌧☂ Ever wondered what happens when a #climate scientist becomes a travel enthusiast? Meet Nick Cavanaugh, who turned his PhD in atmospheric physics into a solution for weather-impacted #travelplans. In this Breaktime episode, Lisa chatted with the founder and CEO of Sensible Weather, who is planning to make travel more predictable one booking at a time with "weather guarantees" - automatic reimbursements when Mother Nature doesn't cooperate with your vacation plans. From analyzing snowfall in Berlin to protecting beach days in Hawaii, Nick's innovative approach combines complex weather data with simple, consumer-friendly insurance products. His company helps guests overcome dampened travel experiences, whether they're planning a ski trip or a golf getaway. Enjoy the show!

What makes The World’s 50 Best Hotels award so iconic? In this Breaktime episode, Mari has a delightful chat with Emma Sleight, Head of Content at The World’s 50 Best Hotels - aka the Oscars of hospitality. Emma gives us a peek into the special award categories, like the SevenRooms Icon Award, Flor de Caña Eco Hotel Award, and Nikka Best New Hotel Award… plus all the behind-the-scenes magic that comes with being the list every #luxuryhotel dreams of making. Get ready for insider insights, plenty of laughs, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to reach the top! What’s the one thing you think every hotel should have to make it onto The World’s 50 Best Hotels list? Enjoy the show!

What's the secret behind leading a team to the World’s 50 Best Hotels award? Hint: It’s not a killer minibar! John Blanco, General Manager of Capella Bangkok, sits down with Phil to share his journey. From chef to hotel industry pro, John’s worked on every continent and brought those global insights with him to create a winning team at Capella. It’s a mix of leadership, passion, and a whole lot of hard work (with a dash of fun along the way, of course ). Tune in and find out what makes Capella Bangkok truly stand out. Now we’re turning the spotlight on YOU! What’s the magic that makes a hotel stand out? The little details? The big ideas? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Enjoy the show!