VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day
In approaching the 12th edition of the Vacation Rental World Summit, we’re releasing a series of interviews to leaders, key players and highly motivated people in our industry whose companies make a deep impact in our space and will be present at VRWS.
The aim is to get you some insight into these leaders and the company they founded, manage or work for, as well as getting some behind the scenes on their thinking, their motivation and their drive.
Maria Flores Portillo
- What inspired you to enter the vacation rental industry?
I was drawn to the vacation rental industry because of the intersection between technology, data, and hospitality. I am an engineer by trade and a tech nerd, and I’m also Mediterranean so I love hospitality and travel. Being part of the innovation that this industry is experiencing and seeing the real-world impact on hosts and travelers alike. It keeps me inspired.
- What sets your company apart in the vacation rental industry, and how do you ensure you stay ahead of the competition?
Beyond is the company that pioneered dynamic pricing for vacation rentals. First and foremost, our data pipeline sets us apart – we have developed the best one in the industry because we need it to price hundreds of thousands of properties. We are the only company that incorporates search data or Booking.com data in our solution, which gives us an unparalleled understanding of supply and demand. Outside of that, I would highlight our commitment to continuous innovation, deep industry insights, and a platform that goes beyond just pricing—we offer a full revenue management solution.
- If you attended the 2024 Vacation Rental World Summit in Porto, what was the most exciting or valuable takeaway for you? And looking ahead to the 2025 edition in Rome, what are you hoping to gain or experience this time?
I was lucky enough to attend, yes! I’d say I walked out with two takeaways: 1) the chatter around AI, whilst still a bit broad, has definitely pushed property managers and vendors alike to innovate and focus on how to leverage these new tools to increase efficiency; 2) the industry is continuing to grow and the prospects back then for 2025 were definitely more positive than negative!
Looking ahead to Rome in 2025, I’m excited to continue those conversations, see how the world has changed, explore new innovations in tech and distribution, and, of course, connect with industry leaders in an amazing setting!
- Beyond business, what’s one experience or destination that left a lasting impression on you, and why?
It is so hard to pick because I love traveling and I am easy to impress! If I had to say one place, I would say Delphi, which was home to the Oracle, and was once believed to be the centre of the world and has the most amazing energy. The surrounding mountains and overall landscape are breathtaking, making the entire experience quite otherworldly. It’s a place that reminded me how travel isn’t just about seeing new places—it’s about feeling connected to something much bigger. Plus I had the best chicken soup of my life in a nearby restaurant, and I still dream of it!
- What’s one fun fact, hidden talent, or little-known secret about you that other attendees should know to spark a great conversation with you?
Is not having any fun facts or hidden talents a fun fact? 🙂
You’ll have the opportunity to meet Maria directly at VRWS in Rome
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