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.
BEN SMITH
- What inspired you to enter the vacation rental industry?
My family moved to the sunny costa del sol in 1982 so it’s been my home ever since. I think those of us that live in a very popular tourist resort tend to gravitate towards the tourism industry directly or indirectly. I’ve cleaned pools and looked after gardens of rental properties when I was a kid as my parents ran a vacation rental business. Later on in life, I built websites and did marketing jobs for property managers. And lastly I decided to offer a software solution to the industry.
- What sets your company apart in the vacation rental industry, and how do you ensure you stay ahead of the competition?
There are so many competent colleagues, brilliant ideas being executed that it’s hard to compete solely on a product or service basis. I think what keeps us ahead is the team and our company culture. We’re passionate about delivering value to our clients and consider ourselves experts in guest registration because we care deeply about getting it right for our clients. In time, you find that if you get the people part right first, the product and service part and everything else slots into place and clients can feel it.
- 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?
Each VRWS is so unique and different so it’s hard to pinpoint specific parts. The team and I are so excited to be in Rome at VRWS 2025 this year.
- Beyond business, what’s one experience or destination that left a lasting impression on you, and why?
Cuba. To have luxury resorts built on the doorsteps of poverty was a very profound experience, both good and bad.
- 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?
Music is one of my passions, before starting this business I was in a band haha! Happy to talk about the great guitarists of our time and maybe even have a jam if one happens
You’ll have the opportunity to meet Ben directly at VRWS in Rome
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