Anyone who has ever worked in a hotel knows that it’s rarely the big things that make a difference. It’s the many small solutions in everyday life. That’s exactly where he feels at home. Our new colleague brings not only experience from the hospitality industry, but also an eye for what goes on behind the scenes. And sometimes a tongue-in-cheek sense of the “cosmopolitan city” of Detmold.
Karsten, tell us a bit about yourself: Where are you from, and what did you do before joining HotelNetSolutions?
I originally worked in the hospitality industry and have been stationed at various locations, including Düsseldorf, Hanover, Hildesheim, and, of course, the cosmopolitan city of Detmold, at the foot of the German Statue of Liberty.
In between, I’ve always looked beyond the horizon and devoted myself to my second passion: IT. I’ve taken a lot from my time in sales, which definitely helps me today.
After spending two years at the Detmold Hotel Management School, I returned to the hospitality industry. I started out at the front desk and later moved into management at a four-star hotel in Bielefeld. During the pandemic, I switched to the other side of the screen and started working in support at HS3.
Things got off to a fast start there. Everything was covered, from the full onboarding of the hotel software and integrating interfaces to handling day-to-day customer inquiries. That’s exactly what I enjoyed so much. When HS3 was sold, it was clear to me: I needed to find a new challenge. And I’ve now found it at HNS.
Now you’re with HotelNetSolutions. What attracted you to this new role with us?
To be honest: I have a bit of a “helper syndrome.” Without that, you probably wouldn’t get very far in support. But I’m also drawn to gaining a deeper understanding of what goes into a strong channel manager. There are so many opportunities for hotels, and that’s exactly what I want to explore further. At the same time, it allows me to stay true to my passion for IT.
What can our customers expect in the future?
Once I’ve completed my training, I’ll mainly be assisting with project management—which is exactly where everything comes together. And of course, I’ll also pitch in with support: finding solutions when questions arise and working with the team to move things forward. That’s exactly where I see myself.
And outside of work? What should we know about you?
One thing is clear: my wife and my two children come first. We try to spend every free minute together. I’ve also developed a bit of a passion for my garden.
And we love to get out and about, especially to wildlife parks and zoos. On vacation, we’re often drawn to Normandy or Brittany. And every now and then, we enjoy a city break. Otherwise, I love good food or lose myself in a good book.
You could say: exactly the right mix.
It’s great to have you here, Karsten.
