In Meet the CFL, Uncategorized

Meet Dany Katra

Revenue Onboarding and Success Senior Manager at Accor, Member of the HSMAI Europe Rising Leaders Council (France)

Tell us about your journey in hospitality so far – what drew you to the industry and keeps you passionate about it today?

With 10 years of experience in the industry, I started my journey in commercial roles, beginning in hotel sales with a focus on MICE and wholesale, before moving into the airline sector to manage major accounts with Gulf Air. Seeking a new professional challenge, I later transitioned to Accor’s headquarters, where I worked on revenue management technology projects, including large-scale RMS implementations across the global portfolio. What first drew me to hospitality and continues to fuel my passion for the sector, is its unique blend of service, glamour, relationships and the constant evolution that demands creativity, agility, and adaptability.

What motivated you to join the HSMAI Europe Rising Leaders Council, and how has working alongside peers from other companies helped you expand your network and develop new perspectives?

My motivation for joining the HSMAI Europe Rising Leaders Council was to broaden my professional network, enhance my leadership skills, and learn from industry peers at every level—from executives to students and apprentices.

HSMAI Europe offers exceptional visibility across the hospitality landscape, and its events create opportunities to build meaningful connections with a wide range of stakeholders, including hotel chains, independents, suppliers, and many more. Working alongside peers from different companies has not only expanded my network but also strengthened my leadership capabilities and exposed me to diverse perspectives and fresh ideas that continue to enrich my professional growth.

Connecting Future Leaders (CFL) events are an important part of HSMAI Europe; what’s been your most memorable takeaway or moment from one of these events?

My most memorable takeaway from a Connecting Future Leaders (CFL) event has been seeing firsthand how the exchange of ideas between professionals at all levels, from apprentices to executives, can spark new perspectives and meaningful collaborations, all within a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters open dialogue and professional growth

What excites you most about the future of hospitality, and how do you see yourself contributing to that future?

What excites me most about the future of hospitality is the incredible pace of transformation—driven by technology, evolving guest expectations, and the industry’s continuous push for innovation. I have witnessed the same even though I have participated in the HSMAI Europe Commercial Strategy Conference for the past 2 years and can see the silos being breaked between different hospitality commercial functions.

I see myself contributing to this future by leveraging my experience in commercial roles and revenue management technology to help drive more efficient, data-led decision-making and support large-scale digital transformations. At the same time, I want to play a role in shaping the next generation of leaders by sharing knowledge, fostering collaboration, and staying actively engaged in industry councils and communities like HSMAI Europe.

For young hotel and travel professionals who might be thinking, “Is this for me?” – what would you say to encourage them to get involved?

I would tell them that hospitality is one of the few industries where you can grow quickly, learn constantly, and shape a career that is as dynamic as you want it to be. If they’re curious, enjoy working with people, and thrive in environments that evolve fast, this sector will give them endless opportunities to develop. Getting involved early in councils, events, or networking groups opens doors to meaningful connections, mentors, and real insights into the industry. And HSMAI Europe is a one stop shop for both development and meaningful connections.

Quick-fire round (one-line answers only):

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received at HSMAI Europe events?

The best career advice I’ve received at HSMAI Europe events is to stay open-minded and endlessly curious, because that’s what drives growth and keeps you ahead.

What’s one skill every young leader should develop?

One skill every young leader should develop is the ability to communicate effectively while remaining agile, adapting quickly to changing circumstances.

Name a hospitality trend that excites you right now.

A hospitality trend that excites me right now is the integration of advanced revenue management technologies and AI-driven personalization, which allow hotels to deliver highly tailored guest experiences while optimizing operations and profits.

How would you describe the greatest benefit of HSMAI Europe in just one line?

The greatest benefit of HSMAI Europe lies in building meaningful connections and enhancing leadership skills through engagement with a diverse network of hospitality professionals.

Contact Us

Send us an email for any queries you have about HSMAI Europe and we'll get back to you, asap.

Not readable? Change text. captcha txt
0

Start typing and press Enter to search