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In Episode 172, Farah Shammas talks with General Manager Vassos Kilanis about the latest trends and fresh ideas driving change in the hospitality industry. Get valuable insights from an experienced leader in the field.

✨ This episode isn’t just for those in the hospitality industry,  it’s for everyone who loves to travel and wants to understand what truly creates an unforgettable stay the next time they book a hotel.

Because in the end, it’s not about how a hotel looks, but how it makes you feel.

#HotelTalkPodcast #Hospitality #LuxuryHotels #Travel #VassosKilanis #HotelIndustry #GuestExperience #PodcastSeason4 #VassosKilanis

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What truly makes an unforgettable guest experience? In this inspiring conversation, Vassos Kilanis, General Manager of St. Raphael Resort, shares real stories, memorable moments, and the values that shape exceptional hospitality.

Mr. Vassos also opens up about the COVID years, revealing how the hospitality world adapted to uncertainty, maintained high standards, and found new ways to make guests feel safe, valued, and happy.

#HotelTalkPodcast #Hospitality #LuxuryHotels #Travel #VassosKilanis #HotelIndustry #GuestExperience #PodcastSeason4 #VassosKilanis

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In our recent discussion with Vassos Kilanis General Manager at St Raphael Resort, we explored what really defines a five-star hotel experience in today’s world. Is it still about marble lobbies, gold-plated details, and extravagant décor? Or is true luxury something deeper, something felt rather than seen?

✨ This episode isn’t just for those in the hospitality industry,  it’s for everyone who loves to travel and wants to understand what truly creates an unforgettable stay the next time they book a hotel.

Because in the end, it’s not about how a hotel looks, but how it makes you feel.

#HotelTalkPodcast #Hospitality #LuxuryHotels #Travel #VassosKilanis #HotelIndustry #GuestExperience #PodcastSeason4 #VassosKilanis 

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In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Panis Pieri to explore how innovation, technology, and creativity are reshaping the future of hospitality and tourism. From discussing whether Cyprus can truly become a startup hub for tech and tourism, to exploring the role of AI, sustainability, and the human touch in hotels — this conversation dives deep into the trends that are transforming the industry.

Panis also shares personal insights on his journey as an innovator, the lessons learned along the way, and his thoughts on how hotels can balance high-tech experiences with genuine human connection.

Join us for a forward-thinking conversation full of ideas, inspiration, and practical insights for the future of hotels.

Guest: Panis Pieri – Entrepreneur, Startup & Innovation Journalist, and Founder of Pani’s News.

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In this inspiring episode, Stavros shares his journey of nearly 40 years at the St Raphael Resort & Marina.

From his very first day to the biggest engineering challenges, proudest moments, and even some surprising behind-the-scenes stories, Stavros reflects on how hospitality and technology have evolved and what the future holds. 

🎧 NOW ON AIR! Episode 166
🎙️ Listen on Hotel Talk with Farah Shammas | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube – St Raphael Resort & Marina

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In this episode, we sit down with Frederic Bellard, our F&B Manager, to dive into unforgettable guest requests, the latest food trends, his favourite dishes, and what a typical day in his life looks like from the breakfast rush to evening cocktails.

Originally from France, Frederic began his career in hospitality from day one, and that lifelong passion has brought him here to lead the Food & Beverage team at our Hotel St. Raphael Resort & Marina.

🎙 Listen on Hotel Talk with Farah Shammas
 | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube – St Raphael Resort & Marina

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This week, we’re joined by Dasha Trener speech therapist, influencer, and social media educator for families with children. Originally from Ukraine and now based in Cyprus, Dasha shares her inspiring journey of blending professional expertise with authentic digital storytelling.

In this episode, Dasha opens up about:

 • What brought her to Cyprus and why she fell in love with the island

 • How her journey as a content creator began and evolved into a meaningful career

 • Balancing beauty and authenticity in a world of curated content

 • The challenges and joys of growing a brand from a small country

 • Why connecting with your audience matters more than chasing the algorithm

 • Her thoughts on wellness, parenting, and real-life vs. online identity

Whether you’re a parent, content creator, or simply curious about building a purpose-driven brand, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.

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What does it take to turn a local gym into a digital empire?
For Kamal Mamedov, it started with a simple idea: build something real and make it unforgettable online.

Born in Azerbaijan and now based in the UK, Kamal is a fitness coach, gym owner, and the founder of Content Club, a creative agency that helps businesses turn content into conversions. But before that, he was just a guy with a vision to grow Fortitude Fitness from the ground up and learn everything he could about building an audience that actually cares.

Through trial, error, and a whole lot of hustle, Kamal discovered how to turn short-form videos into powerful sales tools not just for himself, but for hundreds of brands looking to stand out and scale up.

In this episode, we dive deep into Kamal’s journey from lifting weights to lifting brands and unpack the mindset, the strategy, and the lessons behind his success.

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In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Stoecklmayer,  a Cypriot-Austrian content creator, influencer, YouTuber, and OnlyFans model who’s turned her creativity into a lifestyle. Based in Cyprus but often seen jet-setting across the globe with her influencer boyfriend Vlad Nlc, Samantha has built a strong online presence that’s as raw and real as it is curated.

She opens up about her journey  from the struggles of a difficult childhood and experiences with sexual harassment, to finding her voice in a world that often pressures women to be anything but themselves.

Whether you're an aspiring influencer or just curious about what happens behind the grid, this episode is full of insight, laughs, and moments of real talk about life, branding, and staying authentic.

Samantha Stoecklmayer

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In  this Episode , we welcome Jade W. Dagher, Founder and CEO of Expand Strategies, a business development consultant with a wealth of experience in helping companies build strong, sustainable strategies.

Jade shares his personal journey from Lebanon to Cyprus, how Nicosia has influenced his career, and the driving forces behind his work. We explore his thoughts on success, staying rooted in purpose, mindset habits, and how balance plays a crucial role in leadership. 

He also opens up about Blis, his latest venture, and the powerful turning points that shaped his path.

After seven years as Project Manager for BLIS Experience, Jade is proud to step into his new role as Partner & CEO of BLIS Global Solutions, a social enterprise on a mission to raise awareness around financial and business planning. The vision is big: to build strategic alliances with 10 expert partners to develop a powerful ecosystem. With over 100 experts across 25 countries, the impact is already global.

We also can’t wait to host the next BLIS Event here in Cyprus at St Raphael Resort on October 2 and 3. For more info, please visit the official website: www.blis-global.com.

Enjoy!

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