SMACK Hospitality

Lennert De Jong, CEO von Another Star und ehemaliger CitizenM‑Leader, treibt tech‑getriebene Hospitality voran. Er erzählt von der strategischen Marke‑Verkauf an Marriott und dem schnellen Tech‑Rollout in vier Monaten. Diskussionen über AI, Direktbuchungen und die neue White‑Label‑Operator‑Philosophie stehen im Mittelpunkt.

Fritz spricht mit Rafat Ali, dem Gründer und CEO von Skift, einem führenden Unternehmen für Reisemedien. Rafat gewährt Einblicke in die Herausforderungen des Aufbaus eines globalen Medienimperiums. Er diskutiert, wie Skift eine bedeutende Stimme in der Reisebranche wurde und analysiert aktuelle Trends, die über die Schlagzeilen hinausgehen. Zudem teilt er persönliche Erfahrungen aus seiner unternehmerischen Reise, die Auswirkungen von COVID-19 auf die Branche und skizziert die Zukunft des Reisens in verschiedenen Märkten, einschließlich Europa und Indien.

Dirk Bakker, Head of EMEA Hotels bei Colliers und Experte für Hotelinvestments, teilt spannende Einblicke in die Welt der Hotellerie. Er spricht über den optimistischen Investmentausblick in Europa und das Erlebnis, das Reiseziele bieten müssen, um im Trend zu bleiben. Dirk erklärt, wie AI die Hotellerie verändert und gleichzeitig betont, dass der menschliche Kontakt unverzichtbar bleibt. Zudem warnt er vor den Gefahren des Overtourism und hebt unterbewertete Reiseziele wie Biarritz hervor.

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!