Welcome to Behind the Stays — a podcast that shares the stories behind your favorite boutique hotels, short-term rentals, and hospitality brands and the hosts, operators, and entrepreneurs who’ve brought them to life. Every Tuesday and Friday you’ll meet the military veterans, retired flight attendants, tech entrepreneurs, school teachers, single moms, hoteliers, and real estate investors who are all, in their unique ways, shaping the future of travel and hospitality. Discover how these visionaries — from all over the world — have built stunning landscape hotels in the mountains, designed bohemian bungalows on the beach, erected eclectic off-grid and nature-immersed escapes, and so much more. Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Behind the States is hosted by Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance.
Episodes
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Friday Jan 10, 2025
Meet Frances Kiradjian, founder and CEO of the Boutique Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) and a leading voice and force in the independent boutique hotel space.
Fran’s journey began in the corporate travel world, managing massive accounts like Disney and Toyota. But it was her bold decision to champion the boutique hotel sector—long before it was trendy—that cemented her legacy. Since founding BLLA in 2009, Fran has built a thriving community for independent hoteliers and other hospitality entrepreneurs.
In this episode, we uncover:
- How Fran’s career has been built on bold ideas: From her groundbreaking work in travel technology to the inception of BLLA.
- The rise of boutique hotels: Why travelers crave unique, high-touch experiences and how boutique properties deliver where big chains fall short.
- Her passion for innovation. We discuss Fran’s favorite stories from interviewing industry legends, including Sir Richard Branson, and how these encounters shaped her vision for the future of hospitality.
- Hot takes on the next decade of boutique travel experiences: From Gen Z hoteliers to truly immersive guest experiences, Fran breaks down the trends shaping the industry’s future.
Alright friends, without further ado, get ready to meet Fran.
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