The Social Hotelier
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.
Episodes
May 10, 2025 • 50 mins
🎙️ Welcome to The Social Hotelier Show with Sam-Erik Ruttmann – named one of the Top 20 Hotel Podcasts globally by FeedSpot!
🌟 In this exclusive conversation, Sam-Erik interviews Marc Dardenne, CEO of Modon Hospitality, on the evolving role of hospitality education, leadership transformation, and why rethinking hotel design, branding, and talent engagement is urgent in today’s changing world.
💡 Marc reflects on his return to Eco...
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May 3, 2025 • 53 mins
Future of Food Tourism: 4 Bold Scenarios
Welcome to The Social Hotelier Show with Sam-Erik Ruttmann! In this episode, we explore the ¨future of food tourism¨ with renowned futurist Dr. Ian Yeoman. From lab-grown delicacies to regenerative dining experiences and dystopian luxury, we dive into four bold scenarios that redefine how we eat, travel, and experience culture.
👨🍳 What does the future hold for chefs and hoteliers?
🌱 Ca...
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April 26, 2025 • 42 mins
In this eye-opening episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Sam-Erik Ruttmann reconnects with Niels Steeman—once a high-flying tourism executive in Asia, now a wellness coach on a mission to redefine success. Discover how a near-death experience underwater triggered a radical transformation, shedding over 40 kilos, quitting alcohol, and redefining what it means to truly thrive.
💡 Niels shares his powerful journey from burnout to bal...
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April 12, 2025 • 52 mins
✅ What Are The BIG Changes Happening In Hotel Industry NOW
In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Rocco Bova, a seasoned hotelier and founder of the Summit Mexicano de la Hospitalidad. Rocco shares his journey in the hospitality industry, his love for Mexico, and the cultural richness he has experienced.
They discuss the importance of hospitality education, the evolving role of technolog...
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April 5, 2025 • 61 mins
🌱 In this powerful episode of The Social Hotelier, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann sits down with Portia Hart, founder of Blue Apple Beach—a regenerative hospitality concept in Cartagena, Colombia.
From crushing glass bottles into usable sand to empowering local communities through sustainable supply chains, Portia proves that luxury can lead with purpose. Get inspired by her journey from Monaco to the Caribbean and learn how she built on...
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March 28, 2025 • 41 mins
Why Your First Impression Could Make or Break Guest Experience
In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, Sam-Erik Ruttmann welcomes renowned keynote speaker and author Sylvie Di Giusto.
Together, they explore the psychology of first and lasting impressions in hospitality
and how unconscious biases shape guest experiences.
Sylvie breaks down her signature "ABCD-E" framework—Appearance, Behavior, Communication, Digital Footprin...
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March 21, 2025 • 42 mins
Maximize Your Digital Ads ROI Proven Strategies for Lasting Success
Proven Strategies for Hotels, Restaurants, and Businesses to Succeed in Google Ads, Meta, and Beyond
Many businesses are burning through their digital advertising budgets without a clear strategy. As John Horn, CEO of @Stubgroup , reveals, success in digital marketing requires a thoughtful approach, patience, and strategic oversight. In this post, we’ll explore...
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March 14, 2025 • 38 mins
From Boardroom to Global Impact: How One Family Foundation is Changing Lives
In this inspiring episode, Sam-Erik Ruttmann welcomes Morgan DeNicola, Executive Director of the DeNicola Family Foundation.
Discover how this dynamic leader transitioned from marketing in her family's business empire to championing global health, cultural diplomacy, and humanitarian recognition. Morgan shares powerful insights on creating sustainable im...
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March 8, 2025 • 56 mins
How to Maximize Hotel Profitability in a Changing Market.
In this episode of the Social Hôtelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Michael Grove, CEO of HotStats, about the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry. They discuss the importance of financial intelligence, the need for hoteliers to look beyond traditional metrics like RevPAR, and the balance between automation and personalized service in hotels.
Michael...
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March 1, 2025 • 45 mins
AI & Service Transformation Unforgettable Hospitality Experiences
In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann interviews Johann Diaz, an expert in service transformation and customer experience.
They discuss the importance of redefining strategies to meet evolving customer needs, the role of AI in enhancing service delivery, and the shift towards servitization in business models.
Johann emphasizes the s...
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February 22, 2025 • 39 mins
Redefining Hospitality: From Sustainability to Regeneration
A Deep Dive into Sustainable Tourism, Policy Challenges, and the Double-edged Sword of Social Media
In this episode of the Social Hotelier podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with Chalana Perera, the founder of Retrace Hospitality, to discuss the critical shift from sustainable to regenerative tourism.
Chalana emphasizes the importance of proactive measures in touri...
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February 15, 2025 • 26 mins
The Hidden Profit Killers in Restaurants—And How to Fix Them
In this episode, Sam Erik Ruttmann interviews Geordy Murphy, a visionary restaurateur and owner of Cypress Hospitality Group. Geordy shares his journey from managing restaurants to developing innovative software solutions for the hospitality industry with FOBESoft.
The conversation covers key themes such as the importance of budgeting, leadership lessons learned from cu...
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February 8, 2025 • 37 mins
In this engaging conversation, with Abdul Baaghil, Co – Founder / principal Harvest Cotton Tale, Abdul speaks about his experience working for luxury hotel brands, like Ritz Carlton, Cambell Gray Hotel. Abdulshares his journey from corporate management to independently developing hotels rooted in authenticity and cultural identity. Together, we explore how the evolving landscape of luxury and lifestyle hotels is grappling with main...
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January 31, 2025 • 36 mins
🔥 Get ready for an interesting conversation with Jayanth N Kolla, Founder& Partner of Convergence Catalyst, Expert on AI, Machine Learning.
This is our annual episode discussing the rapid evolution of AI and its profound impact on the travel and tourism industry.
We explore how social media influences travel trends, the rise of Generative AI Travel Content creation, and the changing landscape of influencers.
The conversa...
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January 25, 2025 • 40 mins
The Wellness Industry Exposed: What Most Hotels Get Wrong.
Join Sam-Erik Ruttmann on The Social Hotelier Podcast as he dives into wellness and hospitality innovation with Celine Vadam of WeThink. Explore how wellness-centric hotel designs, technology-driven spa treatments, and inclusive experiences are reshaping the wellness industry. Discover actionable insights on collaborating with architects, using localized spa products, and m...
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January 19, 2025 • 44 mins
The Art of Hospitality: Designing Spaces That Inspire and Connect
Have you ever walked into a space and felt instantly at ease—as if it were designed just for you? Or perhaps the opposite, where a space seemed to push you away, leaving you feeling out of place? The spaces we inhabit hold incredible power, shaping our emotions, connections, and even our sense of belonging. Today, we’re diving deep into this idea with Ryan Anderson,...
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January 11, 2025 • 31 mins
Discover How to Grow Your Business Through Podcasting
Welcome to this episode of The Social Hotelier Podcast! Today, we are honored to host Noémi Beres, co-owner of Podcast Connections, an agency renowned for helping entrepreneurs amplify their voices through strategic podcast interviews.
With over 11 years of experience in content creation and online marketing, Noémi has mastered the art of storytelling and business growth.
Sta...
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January 4, 2025 • 55 mins
What Makes a TRULY Successful Marketing Strategy?
In this episode of the Social Hotelier Podcast, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann speaks with Eric Dingler, a digital nomad and marketing expert, about the intersection of travel and marketing strategies.
He runs successfully a location-independent business.
Eric shares insights from his family's journey as they travel the world while managing a marketing agency.
The conversation explores how...
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December 28, 2024 • 43 mins
How the Blue Zones Lifestyle Can Help You Live Longer
Welcome to the first episode of the Mini Series about Wellness – with Celine Vadam, Founder of WE (I) Think and Blue Zones Expert.
In this episode of The Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with wellness expert Celine Vadam, to explore the transformative world of wellness in hospitality.
Celine shares her extensive travels and experiences in developing hotel w...
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December 20, 2024 • 40 mins
Top Sustainability Expert Shares Secrets to Redefining Success
In this episode of the Social Hotelier Show, host Sam-Erik Ruttmann engages with Vanessa Thompson, a leader in sustainable finance and innovation. They discuss Vanessa's journey from Silicon Valley to her current role at the Sustainability Experts, emphasizing the importance of sustainability as a catalyst for innovation and growth.
The conversation explores the role o...
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