The Modern Hotelier Podcast

In this episode of Hospitality Hot Topics, hosts Steve Carran and David Millili are joined by Gabriel Perez from Indigo Road to unpack April’s biggest shifts in hospitality.

They dive into why boutique hotels are leading in RevPAR despite growing consumer caution, the booming popularity of camping and outdoor experiences, and how sports tourism is becoming a massive economic driver—from the NFL Draft to the upcoming World Cup.

They also discuss the evolving tourism dynamics between the US and Canada, the rise of mobile bookings, and how hotels can adapt to trends such as glamping and experiential travel. Gabriel also shares exciting growth updates from Indigo Road, including historic revitalization projects and thoughtfully curated restaurant expansions in Florida. 

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Boutique hotels led RevPAR in 2024, uncertainty in 2025
• The Great Outdoor Revival
• Canadians avoiding US travel
• Sports Tourism
• Mobile Phones are primary booking tool
• Latest things happening at Indigo Road

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rUq7MCV_tZM

 This episode is sponsored by Indigo Road: https://www.theindigoroad.com/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Indigo Road: https://www.theindigoroad.com/

Gabriel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehotelier/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/154

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we’re joined by Elizabeth Bakhash, co-owner of Three Ducks Hotel—a new 12-room boutique hotel in Westhampton that's redefining the luxury Hamptons experience. With a rich background in branding and real estate, Elizabeth shares how she’s building more than just a hotel—she’s curating a guest experience rooted in nature, local partnerships, and a little bit of whimsy (yes, the ducks have names!).

We dive into:

• Why less is more when it comes to amenities
• The inspiration behind Three Ducks' brand and playful personality
• Designing with intention—from "garden fresh interiors" to the flexible barn space
• How her branding background shapes everything from the digital experience to the on-site details

Listen now and let us know your thoughts!
Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/upcie85s7qs

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Elizabeth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-bakhash-42239529/
Three Ducks Westhampton: https://www.threeduckswesthampton.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/153

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this special episode of The Modern Hotelier, David Millili and Steve Carran take you behind the scenes at BITAC’s Sales, Marketing & Revenue Management Summit at the Hotel Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, CA.

This episode is packed with insights, laughs, and moments that define what makes BITAC unlike any other event in hospitality.

Featuring exclusive interviews with:

• Lucy Eason (Plusgrade) – On the power of upselling tech and why BITAC’s intentionality makes it so special
• Robert Marusi (Hotel del Coronado) – On being a disruptor and putting the customer first
• Nick Horgan (Amaze Insights) – On starting the BITAC sales and marketing summit and how to get 3x ROI from events
• Jack Tadami (Vella AI) – On building genuine relationships that go beyond name tags
• Lynsey Kreitzer (GF Hotels & Resorts) – On personalization, pre-research, and what sets BITAC apart from massive trade shows

 Tune in to hear:

• Why relationships matter more than ever
• How technology is evolving hotel revenue strategies
• What makes BITAC different from every other event

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xAtehukK-FQ

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Jack Tadami on LinkedIn: Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/jack-tadami-1086b6aa/overlay/about-this-profile
Vella AI: https://www.vellaai.co/

Nick Horgan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-horgan/

Amaze Insights: https://www.amazeinsights.com/

Robert Marusi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-marusi-b6267739/

Hotel del Coronado: https://www.hoteldel.com/

Lucy Eason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyeason/

Plusgrade: https://www.plusgrade.com/

Lynsey Kreitzer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynseykreitzer/

GF Hotels & Resorts: https://www.gfhotels.com/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/152

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, we sit down with powerhouse changemaker Anna Blue, whose journey from politics to hospitality is anything but ordinary. With roots in education policy, social impact, and gender equity, Anna brings a fresh and fearless perspective to an industry craving innovation and inclusivity.

We talk about:

• Lessons from leading DEI, advocacy, and workforce transformation initiatives
• How the hospitality industry can better attract and retain young talent
• Why silence on issues like immigration and DEI is holding the industry back
• The powerful story behind the Forward initiative and No Room for Trafficking

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nl3WHQ5tGYQ

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Anna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-blue/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/151

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.

In this episode, Steve and David sit down with Andrew Rubinacci, Chief Advisory Officer at FLYR, to unpack how AI and next-gen data systems are reshaping the hospitality industry. With a background spanning 35 years in commercial strategy, Andrew brings deep insight into why pulling reports for five hours a day is a thing of the past—and how hotels can now optimize rates, personalize experiences, and drive revenue in real time.

We dive into:

• Why legacy systems hold hospitality back
• How FLYR uses AI to optimize room pricing 24x a day
• The shift from tactical roles to strategic leadership in revenue management
• What makes BITAC unique for real business-building conversations
• The future of AI-powered guest experiences and seamless upselling

If you're in hospitality, tech, or just want to hear from someone who’s shaking up a traditional industry with bold ideas, this one’s for you.

Watch the FULL EPISODE on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MS7H5YKyP00

This episode is sponsored by FLYR: https://flyr.com/hospitality/

Join the conversation on today's episode on The Modern Hotelier LinkedIn page
The Modern Hotelier is produced, edited, and published by Make More Media

Links:
Andrew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewrubinacci/
FLYR: https://flyr.com/hospitality/

For full show notes head to: https://themodernhotelier.com/episode/150

Follow on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-...

Connect with Steve and David:
Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%8E...
David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-mil.