David Turnbull is the Founder and COO, SnapShot GmbH and Member of the HSMAI Europe Revenue Management Advisory Board. Hailing originally from Scotland, David has spent the last 20 years working in the hospitality industry. He is a specialist in the field of hotel demand management, founding in 2006, the Revenue Management & Distribution outsource & consulting company Yeeld Solutions and since 2012, co-founder and COO of SnapShot GmbH.
David has been actively involved in the product development of the SnapShot Applications and oversees the Product, Customer Experience, Consultancy & Education divisions.
Previously, he was Director of Revenue Management & Distribution for Design Hotels AG and held senior revenue management positions in the UK for both Le Meridien & Como Hotels and Resorts.
Q: What does a day at work consist of for you?
A: Since founding SnapShot 3 years ago, I can safely say each day has been unique! I currently spend most of my time with the product & customer experience teams, as we are about to launch our new hotel analytics tool early next year.
Q: What’s the best part of your job?
A: Having spent the last 20 years working in hotel revenue management & distribution, it has been an amazing journey to take a personal methodology on how hotels could better manage their data and demand and convert this into a software application.
Q: Do you have anyone you’ve looked up to?
A: I am honoured to have citizenM’s Michael Levie as a personal mentor for the last 10 years, who has been especially influential in my transition from revenue management consultant to founder of a start-up.
Q: Do you have any nice traditions at your office?
A: Sure, we have a bi-weekly breakfast where different team members create something typical of their homeland. In an international city like Berlin, this means that in the last 3 months alone, we have had breakfasts from Peru, California, Scotland (yours truly), Russia, Israel and of course, Germany.
Q: For how long have you known HSMAI?
A: I have been a long-term supporter of HSMAI, having contributed to the Defining Revenue Management book in 2010, however I have in January this year joined HSMAI Europe, both as a member and accepting a seat on the HSMAI Europe Revenue Management Advisory Board.
Q: What do you think is the best thing about HSMAI?
A: The commercial landscape for hoteliers has evolved at such a fast pace and key roles within a hotel organisation have become blurred. It is therefore essential to have independent organisations that can drive thought leadership and industry best practice across all segments and regions of the industry. HSMAI along with organisations like HFTP for example, set this example.
Q: Are there any activities or projects you think HSMAI should start up?
A: We need future commercial strategists who aren’t siloed between sales, marketing, revenue, digital. I am convinced this is the future and HSMAI (perhaps with a name rebrand) must take the lead in taking this non-siloed approach to the next generation of commercial hoteliers.
Q: Describe your perfect weekend.
A: I have two girls, (Sophie, 5 and Lia, 9) and with my wife Petra, we love to spend time the four of us as we lead such busy schedules during the week. So long as there is a good balance between activity and calmness, I’m happy.
Q: If you were trapped on a desert island, what would you take with you, if you could choose just one thing?
A: Without my family, my kindle. With my family, ear plugs.
Q: What is the title of the book about your life?
A: "Unconstrained Belief."
Q: What is your next travel destination?
A: Excluding my work, Lisbon is high on the wish list of cities to visit.
Q: Do you have any special hobbies?
A: I played the clarinet at Grade 8 level (from my school days) however starting in spring, I am attending a course to get my sailing license.
Q: Thank you for your time. Do you have any personal comments?
A: Happy Holidays!
