Hospitality Net Podcast Series
Acting as a ‘neutral’ broker and publisher of hotel business information, Hospitality Net is the #1 ranked global website for the global hospitality community. Hospitality Net enables all industry stakeholders to amplify visibility on its platform and connect with the industry globally through a membership business model, unlike any other publishing initiative in the industry. Members include actors throughout the hospitality spectrum - hotel groups, vendors/suppliers, associations, universities/schools, consultants, and event organizers. To learn more, visit hospitalitynet.org.
Hospitality Net Podcast Series
Tech-Enabled Hospitality: Humanity, Innovation, and the Future Guest Experience
Jessica Gillingham, founder and CEO of Abode Worldwide, joins Simone Puorto for an engaging discussion about her recent book, "Tech-Enabled Hospitality." As a seasoned communicator with nearly a decade of experience in the hospitality and short-term rental technology space, Jessica explores the profound transformation underway in the industry, where technology is reshaping both operational delivery and the very nature of guest experiences. Her work brings together insights from over thirty-eight leaders in technology and hospitality, giving the book a rich, multifaceted perspective.
The conversation goes beyond the nuts and bolts of innovation, delving into how digital transformation in hospitality is fundamentally a cultural and strategic shift rather than simply a technological one. Jessqica challenges common assumptions about the role of technology, emphasizing that thoughtful integration can foster greater personalization and trust, rather than diminish the human element. Examples from her research illustrate how new approaches such as letting guests opt into room cleaning can boost both efficiency and customer satisfaction, while highlighting the essential need for leadership-driven change.
As boundaries blur between hotels, serviced apartments, and rental units, Jessica observes that the modern guest increasingly seeks convenience and authentic experiences irrespective of traditional property categories. With the rapid evolution of tech stacks, artificial intelligence, and platform interoperability, the hospitality sector faces both significant opportunities and new challenges. Through this interview, readers are invited to reflect on a timely question: how can operators harness technology to serve humanity and elevate every guest journey in a world where hospitality itself is being redefined?
Download a complimentary first chapter of the book here.
About Hospitality Net
For more than 25 years, Hospitality Net has been at the center of the global hotel and hospitality industry. Over this time, it has built a unique and trusted ecosystem where professionals come to share knowledge, insights, and perspectives. As a neutral and independent platform, Hospitality Net is respected by industry leaders worldwide for providing reliable information and a space where diverse voices in hospitality can be heard. Visit hospitalitynet.org.