VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day

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

To be honest, 10 years ago I had no idea of what massive industry was behind renting an Apartment for holiday 😀, but then it surprised me…What drew me in was the blend of technology, travel, and people. I’ve always been passionate about innovation and how it can transform industries. When I joined Avantio, I saw a massive opportunity to contribute to a fast-growing sector that was just beginning to embrace digitalization. Being part of that transformation, helping property managers grow with smart tech solutions, it is very rewarding.

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

At Avantio, we’re driven by product excellence and deep client relationships. Our all-in-one solution is fully developed in-house, thanks to the great teams of engineers and developers that are constantly working to innovate. As I always say “Avantio is not the same as 6 months ago, and it will not be the same in 6 months”…

Having every part of our software “under one roof”, we have developed a very strong and complete technology which allows us to adapt to different markets needs, weather of it is the communication to the Italian police, all the way to the E-Invoicing in Greece… We could say that Avantio is a true “Global, but local” solutions.

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?

I personally did not participate in the 2024 VRWS in Porto but I’ve been in more than 5 VRWS in the past in different countries, and i can say that the most “repeated” feedback I bring home each time is CONNECTION. Having industry leaders, property managers from around the globe, it helps see this sector from many different perspectives and teaches you a lot in only 2 days. For 2025 in Rome, I’m excited to continue that dialogue and get inspired by the next wave of innovation, especially around AI and guest experience. Also, Rome’s energy and cuisine are unique… so I’m looking forward to having a good Carbonara as well.… or maybe a few 😉 

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

Thailand will always stay with me. Instead of visiting the typical tourist hotspots like Phuket, I explored two smaller, more local islands: Ko Chang and Ko Mak. What made the trip special wasn’t just the natural beauty or the people, but how I approached it. There I got to learn how to Cook Thai food and exploring the jungles on a small 125cc moped scooter.

Also, coming from the travel industry, I challenged myself not to book anything in advance. I’d simply show up at each resort and negotiate directly, always managing to beat the OTA prices 🙂. It was a great reminder that sometimes, the best experiences come from leaving space for spontaneity.

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?

I have a deep love for random facts, like did you know that if you fold a piece of paper 42 times, it would reach the moon? I collect these kinds of oddities like some people collect stamps. 

I also have the rare talent of being able to reproduce exactly the “Crickets sound” 🦗🦗🦗 , which comes perfectly with the last thing:  I proudly hold the unofficial title of “Dad Joke Master”. Come find me if you’re up for a chat full of weird trivia and terrible puns 😀