

Hotel Tech Insider
HotelTechReport
The HotelTechInsider podcast interviews the top leaders at the convergence of hotels, travel and technology. Guests include founders, executives, top hoteliers and industry organization leadership. Find all of the episodes at hoteltechreport.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 28, 2025 • 25min
Schulte's VP of Ops Strategy on The Future of Digital Tipping in Hotels
What if embracing digital transformation could unlock new revenue streams for your hotel? In this episode, Jason Jackson, Vice President of Operational Strategy and Integration at Schulte Hospitality, reveals how innovative technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape.Key Takeaways:Discover the impact of digital tipping software on employee satisfaction and guest experience, with over $120,000 in tips distributed in just seven months.Learn about the critical role of business intelligence tools like ProfitSword and Hotel Effectiveness in optimizing labor management and financial performance across a diverse portfolio of nearly 200 hotels.Understand the importance of adaptability and engagement in the hospitality industry, and how these traits can drive success in an ever-evolving market.

Jan 21, 2025 • 31min
Lark Hotels' SVP of Operations on Scaling a $1B Boutique Management Company
How can technology enhance the human touch in hospitality without losing the essence of personal connection? In this episode, Scot Hopps, Senior Vice President of Operations at Lark Hotels, reveals the delicate balance between leveraging technology and maintaining genuine guest interactions.Key Takeaways:Discover how Lark Hotels is revolutionizing the guest experience by integrating technology that enhances service without replacing the human element.Learn about the critical role of an effective accounting system, specifically HIA (Hotel Investor Apps), in driving operational success and improving financial reporting.Understand the strategic decision-making process behind migrating to a new property management system (PMS) and how it empowers staff to deliver exceptional service.

Jan 14, 2025 • 29min
Time Hotels' COO on Building Flexible Tech Stacks for Rapid Growth
How can technology enhance genuine human connection in hospitality? In this episode, William Costley, COO of Time Hotels, reveals how the right tech stack can empower teams to deliver exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a strong service culture.Key Takeaways:Discover the critical role of a Property Management System (PMS) in integrating various hotel operations and enhancing guest interactions.Learn about Time Hotels' innovative approach to expanding their brand portfolio, including the launch of lifestyle brands focused on sustainability and wellness.Understand the importance of a robust Request for Proposal (RFP) process in selecting a revenue management system that aligns with your hotel's unique needs and operational scale.

Jan 7, 2025 • 30min
Mews CEO on Lessons from Building a Hotel Tech Unicorn
Is your hotel technology stuck in the past? In this episode, Matthijs Welle, founder and CEO of Mews, reveals how innovative property management systems can revolutionize the guest experience and streamline operations.Key Takeaways:Discover how Mews is breaking down barriers between hoteliers and guests to create personalized experiences that enhance customer satisfaction.Learn about the pivotal role of tokenized payments and open APIs in modernizing hotel operations and driving revenue growth.Understand the importance of leveraging AI to transform guest data into actionable insights, enabling hoteliers to deliver tailored experiences that keep guests coming back.

Dec 17, 2024 • 35min
Edwardian Hotels' VP on Tech's Role Ultra Luxury
How can luxury hotels redefine the guest experience by transforming check-in and check-out into a more personalized journey? In this episode, Kris Leszczynski, Group GM at London based Edwardian Hotels, reveals innovative strategies that blend technology with exceptional service.Key Takeaways:Discover how Edwardian Hotels leverages technology to create a seamless guest journey, from pre-arrival communications to personalized in-stay experiences.Learn about the importance of integrating CRM and PMS systems to enhance operational efficiency and guest satisfaction, allowing staff to focus on building relationships rather than administrative tasks.Explore the surprising role of technology in maintaining the human touch in luxury hospitality, ensuring that guests feel recognized and valued throughout their stay.

Dec 10, 2024 • 23min
Lamington Group's MD on Aligning Tech for Extended Stay
Stuart Godwin, Managing Director of Lamington Group, reveals how his team increased direct bookings to over 50%. He discusses the innovative Room 2 concept, blending serviced apartments and traditional hotels to cater to diverse guests. Godwin emphasizes the importance of a user-friendly booking engine, reducing friction in reservations. He also shares insights into the Hometown Club loyalty program, which fosters brand loyalty with instant rewards. Tune in for valuable strategies on enhancing the guest experience through technology!

Dec 2, 2024 • 30min
Olive Living CEO on the Future of Remote Hotel Management
What if you could manage 100 hotel receptions with just two staff members? In this episode, Kahraman Yigit, co-founder and CEO of Olive Living, reveals how innovative technology is reshaping the hospitality landscape and enhancing the human touch in service.Key Takeaways:Discover how Olive Living transitioned from co-living to a tech-driven hotel operator, leveraging AI and video conferencing to streamline operations and improve guest experiences.Learn about the unique implementation of remote reception management, allowing a single team to oversee multiple properties, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining high service standards.Explore the integration of AI-enabled analytics for real-time sentiment analysis, enabling hoteliers to proactively address guest needs and elevate service quality.

Nov 25, 2024 • 33min
Pro-invest Group Director of Digital on Hiring Tech Talent
Are your hotel’s technology systems holding you back from achieving growth? In this episode, Howard Phung, Group Director of Digital at Australia's Pro-invest Group, reveals how a strategic tech stack can transform your hotel operations and drive significant growth.Key Takeaways:Discover the critical importance of selecting the right Property Management System (PMS) and how ProInvest successfully reduced their PMS from eight to three, with plans to consolidate further.Learn about the role of AI in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency, and why it’s essential for hoteliers to prioritize AI in their tech strategies.Understand the significance of cybersecurity in the hotel industry, including key features to look for in PMS vendors to protect sensitive guest data.

Nov 19, 2024 • 32min
Cloudbeds CEO on Multimodal AI in Hotel Tech
Is the hospitality industry truly ready for a technology revolution? In this episode, Adam Harris, co-founder and CEO of Cloudbeds, reveals how innovative tech solutions are reshaping the guest experience and operational efficiency in hotels worldwide.Key Takeaways:Discover how Cloudbeds' multimodal AI is transforming data into actionable insights, enabling hoteliers to optimize revenue and enhance guest journeys.Learn about the five essential pillars of hotel operations that can streamline processes and improve staff efficiency, from guest acquisition to operational intelligence.Understand the surprising gap in customer engagement within the hospitality sector, as Adam shares his personal experience of receiving minimal birthday greetings from hotel brands, highlighting the industry's need for better personalization.

Nov 13, 2024 • 34min
Yotel's COO on Tech Forward Low Touch Hospitality
How can embracing change and technology redefine the future of hospitality? In this episode, Sven Goosen, Chief Operating Officer of Yotel, reveals the transformative power of tech in enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency.Key Takeaways:Learn about the importance of a holistic tech stack and the role of customer interaction platforms like Zendesk in improving communication and satisfaction levels.Understand the balance between automation and personalized service, and how Yotel is leveraging AI to enhance guest interactions while maintaining a human touch.Regular tech stack reviews ensure alignment with business needs. Yotel's approach involves cross-departmental collaboration for continuous innovation.