Hospitality Net Podcast Series

This conversation explores Accor's new purpose statement, "Pioneering the art of responsible hospitality, connecting cultures with heartfelt care". The speakers examine the statement's four pillars - the art of hospitality, responsible hospitality, connecting cultures, and heartfelt care - and discuss how Accor plans to achieve them. They analyse Accor's initiatives to promote sustainability, connect guests with local communities, empower employees, and create a more equitable work environment. The conversation concludes by reflecting on Accor's potential to be a force for good in the world, considering the broader impact of business on society.

The sources discuss the potential impact of generative AI on the search advertising landscape. While traditional cost-per-click (CPC) models have long been dominant, the emergence of AI-powered search engines, such as Perplexity, raises questions about the future of click-based advertising. The shift towards generative AI may lead to a decrease in clicks as users find answers directly within search results, leading to a potential move towards cost-per-mille (CPM) models. Experts offer diverse opinions on the transition, with some suggesting a gradual shift towards CPM, while others argue that CPC models will continue to play a significant role. Regardless of the future trajectory, there is a consensus that marketers must adapt to the evolving landscape by focusing on creating high-quality content, diversifying traffic sources, and experimenting with new pricing models.

The HOTEL Yearbook Technology 2024 delves into the transformative power of data in the hospitality industry, exploring how the "everything-data decade" is reshaping the landscape. This year's edition emphasizes the surge of data-focused innovations and products with open architectures for seamless data exchange and micro-applications embedded in diverse tech stacks. As data, often dubbed "the new oil", becomes pivotal for hotels to refine brand identities and the struggle to offer hyper-personalized services, it also plays a critical role in managing labor and energy resources efficiently. The publication provides essential insights and recommendations into harnessing data for superior service delivery, agile resource optimization, robust data security, and crafting extraordinary guest  experiences.

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Michael Ros, the visionary CEO and Co-founder of Sleap.io. Sleap.io stands out in the hospitality industry as a cutting-edge blockchain-based hotel booking platform that offers superior rates, incorporates advanced AI search tools, and supports cryptocurrency payments. Utilizing blockchain technology, Sleap.io crafts and delivers unique, personalized offers to users' digital wallets. 

Michael Ros embarked on his entrepreneurial journey at 18 and has been a trailblazer as a digital native, serial entrepreneur, and ardent optimist. His former venture, Bidroom, marked his foray into the travel sector as the world's inaugural membership-based travel community and booking platform. This endeavor was a testament to his enthusiasm for technology, travel, and hospitality, underscoring his commitment to innovation and boundary-pushing. 

A seasoned speaker, Michael has shared his insights at over 50 international conferences, advises startups, and is recognized as an expert in the hospitality industry. Tune in to this episode for a chance to absorb Michael's rich insights and experiences in this rapidly evolving sector!

Michael Ros, CEO and Co-founder, Sleap.io
https://sleap.io/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelros1/

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Michele (Mik) Ruberl, a seasoned technologist with over 20 years of experience developing software solutions across four continents. 

His career spans the corporate sector and entrepreneurial ventures, including founding two startups. Since 2017, Mik has been an active figure in blockchain technology within the travel tech industry. He's held significant roles, such as CTO of Sandos Hotels & Resorts and Head of Architecture & Integration at Alpitour. Under his guidance, several innovative projects were realized, including a decentralized travel loyalty federation and various NFT applications tailored for the tourism sector. Notably, he spearheaded the sale of the world's first hotel booking as an NFT for the opening of Ca' di Dio in Venice, Italy. Currently, as the Director of Blockchain & Web3 Solutions at Peakwork, Mik is at the forefront of developing platforms that enhance the traveler experience and potentially revolutionize travel and hospitality supply chain segments.

This episode delves into the transformative potential of blockchain in the hospitality industry, particularly in loyalty programs. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn from Mik's experiences in this evolving field!

Michele Ruberl, Director Blockchain & Web3 Solutions, Peakwork
https://www.peakwork.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikrub/

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Vincent Somsen, a seasoned Hospitality and Travel Tech Advisor at GAIN, with a particular focus on Web3 technologies.

Born into a family of hoteliers, Vincent brings a wealth of personal experience and insight into the everyday challenges faced by owners and managers in the hospitality sector. His extensive career has seen him work with numerous esteemed hospitality organizations both in the Netherlands and the United States, including prestigious brands like Waldorf Astoria and W Hotels. Vincent is a staunch advocate for Web3 technologies, viewing them as a pivotal solution to a range of industry issues such as increasing intermediary influence, low customer loyalty, the commoditization of services, diminishing customer trust, and the risk of brand hijacking.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the transformative potential of Web3 in travel and hospitality, directly from a seasoned professional with deep roots in the industry. Don’t miss out on the invaluable insights and personal experiences that Vincent has to share!

Vincent Somsen, Hospitality and Travel Tech Advisor, GAIN
https://gainadvisors.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincent-somsen/ 

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Luca De Giglio, the visionary Founder of Trips Community and an expert Web3 Consultant. Luca, a pioneer in the travel and hospitality industry, established a groundbreaking lifestyle business akin to Airbnb in 2001, a full seven years before the actual Airbnb came into existence. This innovative venture not only financed his global travels for a decade but also positioned him as an early digital nomad and travel blogger, long before these terms entered the mainstream lexicon. Through Trips Community, Luca is on a quest to establish a series of open protocols for the internet, designed to enable direct bookings and empower decentralized OTAs to build upon them. Notably, Trips Community achieved a significant milestone by launching the world’s first NFT booking and the first NFT hotel booking in 2021. Join Simone and Luca in this illuminating episode to uncover the revolutionary ways in which Web3 technology is transforming the travel industry's future. Don't miss this chance to dive into the insights and experiences of a true innovator in the field!

Luca De Giglio, Founder, Trips Community
https://www.tripscommunity.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-de-giglio/

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Pablo Castillo, Chief Technology Officer at Chain4Travel since May 2022. Before this role, Pablo dedicated a decade to Hotelplan Group, transitioning from Chief Information Officer to Director of Projects and Business Consulting from November 2011 to October 2021. Before his tenure at Hotelplan Group, Pablo was a pivotal part of the Kuoni Travel Group, where he led as the Head of Data Setup at the Production Hub in Zurich from January 2010 to October 2011. Chain4Travel is a company charting the course for the future of travel through digital innovation, leveraging the power of the Camino Network. This platform encourages businesses to embrace the rapid evolution of technology, particularly web3 technologies, ensuring they remain competitive and relevant in today’s fast-paced digital landscape. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn how decentralization is reshaping the future of travel!

Pablo Castillo - CTO @ Chain4Travel
https://chain4travel.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pablo-castillo-c4t/

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Aljoša Ota, the Director for the Italian market at the Slovenian Tourist Board. Together, they delve into the topic of hidden travel gems and discuss Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) and blockchain technology, explaining what they are and how they can be employed to promote tourism in a region. This captivating conversation provides a deep dive into the innovative convergence of NFTs and destination marketing, so be sure not to miss it!

Aljoša Ota on Linkedin - Slovenian Tourist Board

In this episode, host Simone Puorto sits down with Arul Prakash, the Founder and CEO of Buk Technology. They delve deep into the workings of BUK protocol, a groundbreaking tokenization platform designed to revolutionize the hotel inventory management system. Arul explains how converting hotel room bookings into NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and tokenizing them can not only create a liquid market but also facilitate easier access to inventory, enhance the transparency of the distribution chain, and enable better control over prices. Don't miss this engaging conversation that explores the cutting-edge intersection of blockchain technology and the hospitality industry!

Arul Prakash
https://www.linkedin.com/in/arulprakash/