SMACK Hospitality

"Projects always go wrong." That’s not us being cheeky, that’s a direct quote from a VP of Development. This week, Florian’s got Jan Heringa, VP Development and Project Management at Leonardo Hotels, in the SMACK spotlight. From kitchen chaos at 15 to masterminding the launch of iconic brands like NYX Hotels by Leonardo Hotels across Europe, Jan’s career is pure, unfiltered hotelier grit. But trust us, it’s not all smooth openings and clinking champagne glasses. They’re tearing down the curtain on: - The investment strategy that powered Leonardo Hotels’ massive Central Europe expansion, fifteen new properties in just one year - The absolute chaos of hotel construction, and the learning process behind budget overruns, timeline nightmares, and finding five layers of tiles during a renovation - Why sustainability became a must in the hospitality industry—it’s gone from “nice-to-have” to the only way to sign new deals and secure financing in today’s market Now, here’s Jan’s unvarnished advice for young hoteliers: forget shortcuts. Walk the talk, get your hands dirty in every department, and build that solid foundation. Ready for the truth about building a hospitality empire, straight from the guy who lives it? Enjoy the show!

The brand is sold, the tech is integrated, and a new star is rising. If you are wondering what hotel operations will actually look like in the next few years, Lennert De Jong is already there, blueprint in hand. In the latest SMACK episode, Florian sits down with the CEO of Another Star (and ex-CitizenM legend) to unpack one of the most talked-about moves in hospitality lately: CitizenM selling the brand to Marriott. Yep. That one. They get into how Lennert and his team pulled off a record-speed tech integration in four months (casual) and why the so-called “death of loyalty” is wildly exaggerated in the age of AI. What is on the table: - The Marriott move: why selling the brand but keeping operations was the smartest scale play in the room. - Another Star is born: how CitizenM turned into a white-label operator with serious firepower. - AI and distribution: why AI agents might actually help hotels claw back direct bookings from the OTAs. - Loyalty, upgraded: why Marriott Bonvoy is still a cheat code for conquering the world’s biggest cities. Hit play on all platforms and check out how Lennert and his team decided to flip the game once again. Think big hotel chains are dinosaurs? This episode might ruin that narrative. Enjoy the show!

Building a travel media empire isn’t for the faint-hearted, and Rafat Ali knows exactly what he’s talking about. This December, Fritz sits down with Rafat, founder and CEO of Skift, for a conversation loaded with insider insights on travel media, startups, and the raw realities of running a global brand. They get into everything from how Skift carved out a voice that matters worldwide, to keeping pace in a whirlwind industry, Rafat’s personal journey navigating the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and even their thoughts on New York’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani. In other words, here’s what you’ll hear about: - Media Mastery: how Skift became the global voice of travel, and how Rafat sees the next chapter unfolding - Industry Dynamics: what’s actually driving travel trends beyond the headlines and the hype - Founder Life: his personal path and the lessons learned Hit play, this one hits both the head and the gut. Enjoy the show!

Money talks, but hotels walk the walk! And Dirk Bakker knows exactly which ones are worth your attention… We’re warming up this month of November with an episode packed with insider perspectives from Dirk, Head of EMEA Hotels at Colliers. During the Future Hospitality Summit 2025 in Dubai, Dirk and Fritz dove into what’s shaping hotel investments, how destinations get Instagram-famous overnight, and much more... In other words, you’ll hear about: - Investment Outlook EMEA: trends, risks, and where the smart money is going - Travel & Experience: the destinations that still deliver jaw-dropping guest moments - AI & Service: which parts of hospitality tech can replace humans, and which can’t… Enjoy the show!