The Social Hotelier

Sam-Erik Ruttmann

A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.

SUPPORTER

👉🏻Listen to all the episodes before anyone else

R$ 19,90/mês ou R$ 129,90/ano

  1. há 4 dias

    Can AI Make Hospitality More Human? The Future of Guest Experience with Jessie Fischer TSHS – 163

    Can technology make hospitality feel more human? That’s the question at the center of this conversation with Jessie Fischer, Founder of GuestOS. Growing up in a family-owned hotel business at the gateway to Yosemite National Park, Jessie learned early that great hospitality isn’t about technology, amenities, or luxury. It’s about helping people navigate unfamiliar places, solving problems when things go wrong, and creating moments that guests remember long after they’ve returned home. Today, she’s applying those lessons to build GuestOS, an AI-powered communication platform helping hotels, destinations, tourism organizations, and visitor attractions provide better information, faster responses, and more personalized experiences. But this episode goes far beyond artificial intelligence. We explore what happens when hospitality extends beyond hotel walls, why guest experience increasingly depends on destination-wide communication, how travel is changing in the era of instant information, and why the most successful hospitality businesses of the future may be the ones that use technology to create more human connection, not less. “The best technology gives us more time to spend with each other.” Whether you’re a hotel leader, entrepreneur, tourism professional, startup founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of travel, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on where hospitality is headed next. What You’ll Learn ✅ Why growing up in Yosemite shaped Jessie’s hospitality philosophy ✅ The hidden communication challenges most hotels still struggle with ✅ How AI can improve guest experience without replacing people ✅ Why destination experience is becoming more important than hotel amenities ✅ The future of hospitality during FIFA, the Olympics, and major global events ✅ Lessons from wildfires, road closures, and crisis communication ✅ What travelers actually remember from a great trip ✅ Why simplicity may be hospitality’s biggest competitive advantage ✅ How technology can help hotels focus more on people ✅ The future role of front desks, guest services, and human interaction Connect with Jessie Fischer 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessiefischer/  🌐 GuestOS: https://guestos.ai

  2. 7 de jul.

    The Truth About Success in the Hospitality Industry. TSHS-162

    The Truth About Success in the Hospitality Industry Learn real hospitality leadership lessons from Christian Grage, Managing Director, DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts. Gain practical advice on navigating hotel management challenges. What does it really take to build a 42-year global hospitality career—from the kitchen apron to the boardroom? In this episode of The Social Hotelier, Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with hospitality veteran, author, and global business leader Christian Grage, Managing Director DER Touristik Hotels & Resorts, whose career has spanned Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Together, they explore leadership, international hotel management, cultural intelligence, career growth, hospitality trends, AI in hospitality, sustainable travel, and the human side of global leadership. “Your image never travels with you—you start again wherever you go.” This is an honest conversation about resilience, purpose, people, and why the future of hospitality may depend more on human connection than technology. If you are looking to advance your career in the hotel industry, this discussion provides a candid look at the decision-making processes required at the executive level. We cover what it takes to maintain operational quality and how to approach problem-solving when managing diverse resort portfolios. Subscribe for weekly hospitality leadership breakdowns, and comment below with which hotel management topic you want us to cover next.

  3. 30 de jun.

    From Michelin-rated Kitchens to CEO Mindset: The Truth About Hospitality Leadership. TSHS – 161

    From Michelin-rated Kitchens to CEO Mindset: The Truth About Hospitality Leadership What does true excellence in luxury hospitality really look like behind the scenes? In this episode of the Social Hotelier Podcast, Sam Erik Ruttmann sits down with Chef Franck Desplechin to explore the realities of leadership, culture, and transformation in high-performance hospitality environments. From Michelin-star kitchens and global luxury resorts to building his own consultancy, Franck shares powerful insights on leadership development, operational excellence, mentorship, and entrepreneurship—including why culture, not strategy, defines success, and how today’s leaders can build teams that truly deliver world-class guest experiences. Franck Desplechin is a seasoned hospitality leader, former Executive Chef, and Director of Food & Beverage with over 25 years of global experience in luxury hotels and resorts.   “Excellence has to become personal… without waiting for someone to tell you what to do.” He is the founder of Incrementum, a consultancy focused on leadership development, coaching, and operational transformation in hospitality. Franck is also the author of Relentless Growth, where he distills decades of experience into a framework for personal and professional excellence. Known for his focus on culture, mentorship, and sustainable leadership, he works with organizations worldwide to elevate performance and redefine modern hospitality leadership. ✅Social and website placeholders ✅Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franck-desplechin/ 📺Guest Website: https://www.cheffranck.com/ ✅Host Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-erik/ 🎙️Podcast Website: https://podcast.show/the_social_hotelier_show/ ✍🏻Newsletter / Substack: https://substack.com/@samerikruttmann Sponsorship Inquiries: https://b8bhospitality.com/contact-us/ ✅If you’re serious about building high-performing teams and redefining excellence in hospitality, this episode is a must-watch. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders 👉 Comment your biggest takeaway or leadership insight below 👉 Share this episode with colleagues and professionals in hospitality

  4. 29 de mai.

    From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach. TSHS – 159

    From Sauna Ritual to Design Philosophy: A Finnish Architect’s Approach What if the future of hospitality, wellness, and architecture lies not in adding more—but in building less, feeling more, and reconnecting deeply with ourselves? In this thought-provoking conversation, architect Mikko Jakonen from Studio Puisto Architects joins Sam-Erik Ruttmann to explore the intersection of sustainable design, Finnish sauna culture, meditation, and human-centered hospitality. From designing immersive nature-based experiences to redefining luxury through silence, materiality, and emotional connection, this episode reveals how the most powerful spaces are not just seen—but deeply felt. Mikko Jakonen is a founding partner of  @studiopuisto3459  , a Finland-based architecture firm known for redefining sustainable hospitality and nature-integrated design. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in creating human-centric, environmentally conscious spaces that combine architecture, wellness, and emotional experience. His work spans international hospitality projects, with a focus on sauna design, sensory environments, and holistic wellbeing. Alongside architecture, Mikko has practiced meditation for over 15 years, deeply influencing his design philosophy. Mikko can be reached  on mikko@studiopuisto.fi Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikko-jakonen-5063431a/ Guest Website: https://studiopuisto.fi/ Guest Social Media https://www.instagram.com/studiopuisto?igsh=MWhqdmwzdmtvdGR3eg== If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for more insights on leadership, hospitality, and global trends shaping the future of business and travel. 💬 Share your thoughts in the comments: Have you experienced a truly transformative wellness space? 🔁 Don’t forget to like and share this episode with your network.

Sobre

A podcast that inspires hoteliers to create meaningful and memorable experiences for their customers, in pursuit of their passion.I share my views and experiences relating to hospitality, tech trends and also relating to humanity. I am sitting down with world-class speakers, leading industry suppliers, top performing hoteliers, sharing about their inspiration, lessons they learned and how to make an impact.