Why Are Global Hotel Investors Choosing Nature Over Cities? In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Tea Ros, a leading international hotel consulting professional. They discuss Tea's extensive career in hospitality, the impact of COVID-19 on investment trends, and the growing interest in resort locations over urban properties. 🔥 Here are some takeaways from our conversation: Hospitality is an amazing industry with many opportunities. ...

Ross Brand's Top 3 Social Media Secrets for 2025 In this conversation, I discuss with Ross Brand the evolving landscape of live streaming and video content creation, focusing on platforms like LinkedIn, YouTube, and Substack. We explore the potential of vertical videos on LinkedIn, the importance of YouTube for audience engagement, and how Substack can be leveraged for content distribution. The discussion emphasizes the need for experimentation and strategic thinking in digital...

Transforming Hospitality: AI, Automation, and the Art of Golf In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Sami Hero, Founder & CEO Growth Fusion Advisors.  Sami shared his insights on data-driven decision making, the role of AI in hospitality, and the significance of automation. The conversation also touches on the connection between golf and business, as well as trends in the hospitality industry that hoteliers should be aware of. ⏰Join us as we delve into: Digital...

In my recent conversation with Dominika Kustosz-Lee, CEO of DKL & Company, we explored some truly fascinating aspects of Korea’s luxury scene, hospitality, and her own life journey. Dominika shared how brands in Korea go beyond the usual, creating immersive luxury experiences that feel both playful and perfectly on-brand. It’s incredible to hear how they cater to a market as dynamic and trend-focused as Korea, where customers expect new and exciting experiences around every...

Sheryl Plouffe, co-founder of ICONMAKER® Joint Venture, discusses the power of video podcasting for hoteliers to elevate their brand, attract global guests, and position themselves as leaders in the hospitality industry. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling, showcasing local culture, and creating high-trust relationships through podcasting. Sheryl suggests various podcasting ideas for hoteliers, such as local recommendations, famous guests, historic stories, and employee spotlights....

In this conversation, Kofi Maafo, co-founder of Bloom Bar in Accra, Ghana, shares the inspiring journey of establishing a successful hospitality business that caters to the middle class. They identified a gap in the market for affordable yet high-end experiences He discusses the challenges faced, the cultural impact of their approach, and how they revolutionized the perception of bar ownership in Ghana. Kofi emphasizes the importance of authenticity, quality, and music in creating a unique...

In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Philippa Gamse, a renowned digital strategist, about digital marketing strategies and analytics for independent hotels. They discuss Philippa's career in digital strategy and analytics, the importance of engaging directly with guests online, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in the hospitality industry, and the challenges of using third-party booking engines. "Artificial intelligence (AI) can help generate ideas and draft copy, but it...

The Sustainability Revolution, Guide to Confidence, Commitment & Consistency Lee Stewart, author of How to Build Sustainability into Your Business Strategy, discusses the importance of aligning business operations with long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability. He emphasizes the need for transparency and honesty in sustainability efforts, and the pitfalls to avoid when setting and achieving sustainability goals. "Don't say just by doing that small thing that we're...

Why Empathy Is the Most Important Skill for Conscious Leaders In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Mike Handcock, the chairman of the Circle of Excellence Group, about conscious leadership and the key elements of a positive hotel stay. Mike shares his journey from being a professional musician to becoming a thought leader and empowering conscious leaders. He explains that conscious leaders have a purposeful vision, and a collaborative mindset, lead by values-based leadership,...

Transforming Spaces: The New Era of Hotels. In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Strategic Hospitality Advisor Nicola Delvecchio,  about the emerging trends in hospitality business models. They discuss the shift from traditional hotel concepts to spaces focused on personal growth and transformation, the impact of demographic changes on hospitality design, and the rise of regenerative hospitality that prioritizes community engagement. The...

Fraud exposed in hotels and restaurants This episode explores the topic of fraud in the hospitality industry, covering various forms of fraud and the pressures that contribute to unethical behavior. The conversation also touches on the importance of sustainability and the risks of greenwashing. My guests are Carin-Isabel Knoop and Dr. David E. Morrison III.  Carin is the author of Compassionate Mental Health in Modern Workplace and Executive Director, of Harvard Business School, Case...

Delivering a Brand on a Day-to-Day Basis The Future of Hospitality Branding Mark Natale, co-founder of Smart Thinking, shares his insights on luxury branding and the strategic strategies that have positioned his agency as a leader in the industry. He discusses his journey from managing fitness centers and spas to co-founding Smart Thinking, emphasizing the importance of delivering a brand daily. Mark also highlights his experience at the Parker Meridian Hotel and how it shaped his approach...

The Inspiring Tale of Crafting a High-End Resort in Vietnam’s Mountains! Hylton Lipkin, General Manager of Garrya Mukang Chai and Om Thule at Ban Yen Tri Group, shares insights on opening a hotel in Vietnam. The hotel is a Banyan Group  branded resort called Garrya. Lipkin discusses the challenges of staff recruitment, especially in a remote location, and the importance of creating a positive and fun work culture. He also talks about the process of choosing equipment, suppliers, and...

The journey from child gardener to international landscape architect. In this episode, landscape architect Matthieu Mehuys shares his journey from growing up on a farm to creating sustainable biodiverse gardens around the world. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how nature works and working with it to create beautiful and eco-friendly landscapes. Mehuys discusses the impact of traditional hotel construction methods on the natural landscape and the need for a more sustainable...

In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutmann interviews Kay Chan, a freelance presentation designer with over two decades of experience. They discuss visual storytelling and brand communication, as well as Kay's journey as a self-taught designer. Kay shares insights on working with Fortune 500 companies and the challenges of corporate bureaucracy. They also explore the importance of attention to detail in brand presentation for the hospitality industry. Kay provides advice for young designers and...

In this episode, Atiba de Souza, CEO and founder of Client Attraction Pros, discusses the role of hospitality in building communities and combating loneliness. Atiba shares his background in entrepreneurship and how it has shaped his perspective on business. He emphasizes the importance of having a bigger purpose and making a positive impact on others. Atiba also highlights the need for the hospitality industry to move away from transactional interactions and focus on creating genuine...

Revolutionizing Hospitality: Sustainable Solutions and Enhanced Guest Experiences. There are low-cost, high-impact sustainability initiatives... that don't cost any money and are easy to implement." In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutman interviews Sue Graves, CEO of Experience Alive, about sustainability in the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of sustainability reporting, key elements of a comprehensive sustainability report, and affordable sustainable practices that businesses...

How to fix common digital marketing mistakes independent hotels make. In this episode, Adam Sinkus, the managing partner of A-Purpose Partnership, and I discuss digital marketing for independent hotels. We discuss the importance of having a clear marketing message that aligns with the overall brand and customer experience. We also explore integrating traditional marketing channels with digital strategies and the value of community involvement. Adam shares common mistakes small to...

Key to Resilience and Adaptability in the Travel Industry. Brian Chappon, CEO and founder of Centered Travel Wellness, shares his journey and the creation of a digital lifestyle platform for wellness-focused travelers. He discusses the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt in the face of challenges. Brian emphasizes the value of listening to customers and creating a human-centric experience in the hospitality industry. He also highlights the need for authenticity and trust in...

Attracting Talent: How Hotels Are Transforming Recruitment into Marketing. Summary The recruitment process in the hospitality industry is changing, and hotels need to treat it like modern marketing. Selling the destination and the dream is important in attracting potential employees. The hotel's brand story and values play a significant role in attracting job seekers. Recruitment is becoming more like marketing, and differentiation is key in telling a compelling brand story.  

Mastering Leadership in Hospitality: Insights on Challenges, Change, and Connection. In this episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Summer Jelinek, a leadership expert with 20 years of hospitality experience. They discuss the challenges of leadership, the importance of personal connections in business, and the changing landscape of the workplace. Summer emphasizes the need for leaders to manage themselves first and adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team. They also explore...

Why Blue Zone Retreats Work – discussion with Celine Vadam, Head of Retreats. In this episode, Sam-Erik Rutmann discusses Blue Zone retreats with Celine Vadam, the founder and CEO of a wellbeing concept consultancy WE(i)Think. We explore the uniqueness of … Continue reading →

Hotel Marketing Mastery: Insider Tips to Skyrocket Your Room Bookings! In this episode, Brandon Leibowitz, the founder of SEO Optimizer, shares insights on digital marketing for the hotel industry. The conversation covers search engine optimization, content marketing, social media marketing, … Continue reading →

In this episode, Steve Anderson, an expert and author of The Bezos Letters, discusses examples of the principles of growing a business like Amazon. He shares insights on customer obsession, day-one mentality, high-velocity decision-making, and more. The conversation also delves … Continue reading →