SMACK Hospitality

Dirk Bakker – Colliers | The Money Moves Behind Hospitality’s Hottest Destinations

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!

Elie Milky – Radisson Hotel Group | Talking Global Growth, Lifestyle Hotels & Branded Residences

What does it really take to grow a hotel brand across continents? SMACK is back with an episode packed with insider insights from Elie Milky, Chief Development Officer of Radisson Hotel Group for the Middle East, North East Africa, Cyprus, and Greece. In preparation for the upcoming Future Hospitality Summit, he joined Fritz in Dubai to unpack how Radisson Hotel Group develops brands that last, navigates lifestyle hotels, and explores the booming world of branded residences. In this episode: • How Radisson Hotel Group sniffs out concepts that actually stick as brands • Lifestyle hotels: why being “cool” beats collecting stars • Branded residences: hype, bling, and whether buyers actually get their money’s worth • Europe vs Middle East: markets, madness, and money moves If you thought hotel development was boring… think again. Enjoy the show!

Christopher Hartley & Simon Naudi - GHA & Corinthia | Loyalty, Luxury & Grand Boutique Hotels

Two industry titans in one iconic room?! SMACK Season 7 is officially starting, and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off. Christopher Hartley, CEO of Global Hotel Alliance, and Simon Naudi, Group CEO of Corinthia Hotels, joined Fritz at the stunning Corinthia Grand Hotel Astoria Brussels during the GHA’s annual CEO meeting. The result? A masterclass in loyalty, luxury, and GRAND Boutique. In this Season 7 opener: • Why GHA’s #loyalty model is winning over independent brands • How #Corinthia blends grand hotels with boutique soul • What tomorrow’s #luxurytraveler actually wants, and expects • Why local authenticity still rules in a global game This bomb of an opening episode is live now on all platforms! Hit play, take notes, and welcome to a brand new season of SMACK. Enjoy the show!

Ian Di Tullio - Minor Hotels l Spreadsheets, Sky Miles & Suite Dreams

First it was finance spreadsheets, now it’s suite dreams: Ian Di Tullio’s journey to the top of Minor Hotels is anything but ordinary. Let’s just say: it started with data and ended with loyalty (lots of it). We mic’d up with the Global Chief Commercial Officer, Ian Di Tullio, who went from flying high with Air Canada & Accor to shaking up hospitality from Bangkok with brains, heart, and some serious backend magic. In this one, we get into: * What the airline industry taught him about innovation and squeezing margin magic * How data & AI = power (when you actually use it right) * And why respect > synergy when it comes to brand acquisitions Enjoy the show!

Samuel Njoroge - Millenium Hotels l From Phone Operator to Planet Protector

Say hello to Samuel Njoroge, Director of Quality Assurance & Sustainability at Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA, joining our latest Breaktime episode with the fabulous Mari. Talking trash (literally), tech, and turning purpose into planet-saving action. From phone operator in 2009 to full-blown eco-legend today, Samuel’s journey is pure SMACK: hustle, heart, and a whole lot of green ambition. What’s on the Breaktime menu? * Climbing the ranks and building a regional sustainability strategy that actually works * AI-powered bins, data-driven food waste reduction, and how Winnow helped save 21,000+ meals * Why educating kids to plant trees and clean beaches is both adorable and revolutionary (warning: might trigger proud-parent tears) His vibe? Calm, clear, and climate-conscious: “Sustainability isn’t just CSR. It’s everyone’s responsibility – and it starts at home.” Enjoy the show!