VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day

1. What do you do for a living and which part of your job do you enjoy the most? 

I am the Commercial Director at Italianway, the largest property manager in Milan. We’ve developed a platform that helps other property managers scale their business and grow. What I enjoy most about my job is working with my team to identify other managers like us and figuring out how we can optimize their operations through the application of technology.

2. How does your company innovate or adapt to the evolving needs of the vacation rental space? 

Given the rapidly changing market landscape, particularly with new regulations, laws, and restrictions across European and other countries, our true challenge lies in studying, organizing, and automating all those bureaucratic procedures that hinder growth. This, combined with all the essential PM tech needs,enables property managers to concentrate on development activities while confidently operating within the regulatory framework

3. How do you view the various predictions about AI’s impact on society, ranging from dystopian scenarios to transformative advancements, and how does your company approach or integrate AI technology? 

From my perspective, AI holds the potential to bring advanced systems within reach for civilian use, particularly benefiting vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those who are less culturally prepared. This technology simplifies access to information, enabling individuals to grow culturally even with limited resources. However, there is a downside; for those who view AI as a shortcut to avoid effort, it may contribute to the development of a generation that is even more potentially disengaged.

At Italianway, we have already embraced AI technology by experimenting with market players such as ChatGPT and AWS through their APIs. Our goal is to leverage AI to enhance guest assistance, both during the booking process and for in-house guests who require support. Another intriguing area of experimentation for us is dynamic pricing management, which takes into account historical data, events, weather conditions, and supply and demand.

4. What would you like to achieve by attending the Vacation Rental World Summit 2024 in Porto with your company? 

As the Chief Commercial Officer of Italianway, my primary objectives for attending the Vacation Rental World Summit 2024 in Porto are twofold. Firstly, I aim to expand and strengthen our network at a European level, enhancing our presence and collaboration within the industry. Secondly, I am keen to share our best practices to support anyone aspiring to scale their property management business. Italianway’s journey from managing a single property to overseeing 700 properties is a testament to our effective strategies and systems.

Additionally, we are excited to share the success of our first experience with a Spanish client in Malaga. Thanks to the Italianway system, their business has seen significant growth in just two years. By showcasing such success stories, we hope to inspire and assist others in achieving similar growth and success in their ventures.

5. What are your passions, including any hobbies or sports, that you enjoy discussing and sharing with others outside the professional setting?

Having been born on the island of Sicily, my greatest passion has always been the sea. I have experienced it both underwater through freediving and above the surface with boats. I practice many wind sports, including kitesurfing and Hobie Cat sailing, but what I love the most are offshore racing and bluewater cruise. I’m also a classic boat enthusiast, and whenever I have the time, I enjoy sailing around the island, discovering new destinations.