Hotels, serviced apartments and short-term rentals are moving closer together - but most hospitality companies are still operating as if these old categories matter.

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, I speak with Niko Karstikko, Co-Founder and CEO of Bob W, about the emergence of a new, technology-enabled hospitality category built around flexibility, consistency and the needs of the modern traveler.

Niko explains why the Airbnb generation expects more than either traditional hotels or inconsistent short-term rentals can offer. He also reveals how Bob W delivers a full-service guest experience without a traditional front desk, operates with a fraction of the staff of a comparable hotel and uses technology to remove repetitive work without losing the human touch.

Questions Answered in This Episode:

- Why are traditional hospitality categories becoming irrelevant?

- What does the modern traveler actually expect from accommodation?

- Are hotels and short-term rentals becoming one category?

- Why could the traditional front desk become obsolete?

- How does Bob W deliver full service with one-seventh of the staff?

- Can technology improve both efficiency and the guest experience?

- Which hospitality operators are most at risk?

Resources

• AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.
• Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]

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