VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day

1. What inspired you to enter the vacation rental industry?

I have always worked and studied in the tourism industry. My first job was in a luxury hotel (Masseria) in the Apulia region, where I am from. When I moved to Rome almost 20 years ago, I was assigned to manage seven vacation rentals in the city center for the owner of the art gallery where I was working to support my studies. I immediately liked it and realized that this was the field in which I wanted to specialize. 

2. What sets your company apart in the vacation rental industry, and how do you ensure you stay ahead of the competition?

In the crowded field of property management systems, Guesty works hard to differentiate itself. Our innovation engine is powered by over 250 R&D professionals who deliver new features at an impressive pace, always with an eye toward the future. This forward momentum is balanced by our substantial support team of 250+ specialists who ensure that 70% of new features directly address what our users actually need.

While other platforms cover the basics, Guesty has built a genuine one-stop solution with a comprehensive set of unique features to answer all PMC needs. Beyond continuously improving core functionalities, we offer capabilities that few competitors match—liability protection, travel insurance, multi-unit management, AI-generated website content, guest communication services and specialized revenue consulting. We’ve placed particular emphasis on robust owner management tools, recognizing this as the cornerstone of successful property management businesses. This comprehensive approach eliminates the need to juggle multiple systems and reduces both complexity and costs.

Our channel integration capabilities stand out as industry-leading. With Airbnb Preferred+ Status, our sophisticated synchronization optimizes listings for better rankings while maintaining Guesty as your single source of truth. As a Booking.com Premier Connectivity partner with the coveted SEA badge, property managers can handle all essential tasks directly within our platform. With connections to over 100 direct channels, distribution opportunities are unmatched.

All this comes wrapped in an intuitive, responsive interface and is supported by the industry’s largest marketplace featuring more than 200 integration partners. The result is a property management solution that truly addresses the full spectrum of needs for today’s vacation rental businesses—without forcing you to piece together a patchwork of different tools.

3. 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?

Both the 2024 and the 2022 editions in Porto were incredible. The venue was fantastic, and the city provided the perfect stage for this summit, with its natural vocation for hospitality. I noticed an evolution among the participants, both in terms of numbers and commitment to all activities, especially the roundtables. There was a strong desire to learn and share. What I took away from the last edition is curiosity. Seeing established professionals with a constant eagerness to learn is truly inspiring. Rome will be an exciting challenge for me. I lived in Rome for 20 years, and I feel a responsibility to give something back to this industry. Rome is unique, as is its approach to hospitality. I hope the participants will experience the same emotions I felt when I first started working in this incredible city.

4. Beyond business, what’s one experience or destination that left a lasting impression on you, and why?

Exactly 10 years ago, after completing my first master’s degree, I took six months off, quit my job, and started traveling with no set destination. I met up with a friend who had just finished a work experience in Peru, and together we spent two months backpacking across South and Central America without planning our itinerary. It was a time before social media, and in some communities, there was no electricity, let alone the internet. Being completely disconnected from modern life and venturing to distant places without knowing what to expect is something I truly miss and would love to do again.

5. 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?

At first glance, I might seem like a very serious and somewhat reserved person, but that’s just an impression. Once you get past that, I’m actually very social and enthusiastic. Would you believe that as a teenager, I spent years working as an entertainer in holiday resorts? All it takes is any excuse (even just a smile) to spark a conversation with me. And if we start talking about Italian food, watch out: I might talk so much that you could end up missing a few speeches!