VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day

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

My journey into the vacation rental industry was rooted in my passion for hospitality, which began back in 2011 at the Sheraton Hotel in Edinburgh. Working across various departments gave me a solid foundation and a deep appreciation for the guest experience and the inner workings of hospitality. That passion eventually led me to Expedia, where I was first introduced to the vacation rental space—and that initial exposure sparked a genuine curiosity and interest.

In 2019, I took a significant step forward by leading the sales team for a large international property manager with over 300 properties across Spain and the UK. It was during this time that I truly immersed myself in the short-term rental industry. What drew me in was not just the fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the space, but also the vibrant, collaborative community that fuels it. There’s something incredibly special about this industry—it combines hospitality, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit in a way that constantly inspires.

Then came my biggest challenge and most rewarding opportunity—joining Hostify. What inspired me the most was seeing just how many property managers were struggling with disconnected systems, time-consuming tasks, and a lack of reliable tools to grow their businesses. I saw a real need to support these professionals, to simplify their operations and help them thrive.

So, we built the sales department from scratch with one clear mission: to genuinely help property managers by providing them with a powerful, intuitive platform and world-class support. Six years later, I’m proud to say we’ve made a meaningful impact. Hostify has become a trusted solution for property managers around the globe, and being part of that journey—knowing we’re making their day-to-day smoother and their goals more attainable—has been the most inspiring part of all.

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

Hostify distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to providing a truly all-in-one property management solution that caters to both small-scale hosts and large property management companies. What makes us unique is our dedication to continuous improvement and adaptability.

Moreover, our emphasis on automation and customization is something we pride ourselves on. From automated messaging and payment processing to detailed performance analytics, invoicing, we strive to give property managers the tools they need to reduce manual work and make data-driven decisions.

An achievement we are particularly proud of is winning the Channel Manager of the Year award at the 2024 Shortyz Awards, along with being nominated as the Best Property Management System in 2025. These awards are a testament to our commitment to excellence, innovation, and providing exceptional value to our users.

What truly sets Hostify apart is our customer-centric approach. We actively listen to feedback from our clients and incorporate their insights to enhance our software. Staying ahead of the competition isn’t just about innovation for us; it’s about building real, lasting relationships with our users and ensuring our platform evolves with their needs.

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?

Attending the 2024 Vacation Rental World Summit in Porto was a truly enriching experience. The most exciting takeaway for me was the industry’s increasing focus on AI-driven guest personalization and how it’s revolutionizing the guest experience. 

Additionally, networking with industry leaders and hearing their stories of resilience and growth reaffirmed our belief that innovation must go hand in hand with understanding the human aspect of hospitality.

Looking ahead to the 2025 edition in Rome, I’m eager to engage in deeper conversations about new regulations, what are the needs of the property managers and specially where are they struggling, so we can implement our software according to their needs, and of course Networking and meet new key players in this thriving industry. Sharing how Hostify continues to empower property managers to elevate their businesses.

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

One region that has left a truly lasting impression on me—both personally and professionally—is Latin America, particularly Mexico and Colombia. Beyond their stunning landscapes, vibrant cultures, and warm-hearted people, what’s made the deepest impact on me is seeing firsthand the incredible potential this region holds within the vacation rental industry—and how much room there is for growth when it comes to operational efficiency and technology adoption.

Over the past few years, we’ve been focusing more and more on Latin America because we noticed a clear gap. Compared to markets in Europe and the US, where property managers have had years of trial, error, and evolution—adapting to new tools, systems, and best practices—the LATAM market is still very much in an earlier stage of that journey. In many cases, processes are still manual, operations can be chaotic, and there’s a lack of access to the kind of streamlined, tech-driven solutions that have become the standard in more mature markets.

What’s inspiring, though, is the drive and enthusiasm of the people there. The entrepreneurial spirit is so strong, and the hunger to improve, grow, and deliver a high-quality guest experience is unmistakable. That’s what really moved me: the realization that we could make a tangible difference. By sharing the tools, strategies, and lessons learned from more developed markets, we could help LATAM property managers leapfrog years of challenges and inefficiencies.

It’s incredibly rewarding to support them—not just by offering a software solution, but by being a partner in their growth journey. Helping them bring professionalism, automation, and clarity into their operations is more than just business; it feels like we’re part of something bigger. We’re helping to raise the bar, create new standards, and empower a new wave of hosts and managers to thrive in an increasingly competitive space.

So yes—Mexico and Colombia in particular have left a profound impression on me. It’s where the impact of what we do becomes so visible, and where the work feels deeply meaningful.

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?

A fun fact that surprises most people: I actually have a degree in surveying and engineering! So if life had gone according to plan, I’d probably be in an office somewhere, crunching numbers or drawing plans, likely surrounded by the same people every day. But life had other ideas—and I’m so glad it did.

What really pulled me away from that path was the buzz and reward of hospitality. Back when I started in the hotel industry, what truly lit me up was being behind the bar—creating new cocktails, engaging with guests from all around the world, and being part of their experience. Every shift was different, every conversation a new adventure. That sense of connection and creativity became addictive. It’s actually what set everything in motion and eventually led me into the vacation rental space.

So while I might not be using my engineering degree in the traditional sense, I like to think I’ve engineered my own unique path—one that combines innovation, people, and a love for travel. And if you ever want to talk about cocktails, travel stories, or how life can take wonderfully unexpected turns, I’m your person!