Student Housing Unlocked: Navigating the Industry’s Transformative Management Trends

Rui Barros shares his major takeaways from his 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and major shifts in the student housing sector. Image courtesy of Yugo

In the current fast-paced environment, student housing has gone through major shifts. It’s no longer just a place to stay during college years, but rather a pivotal part of the student experience. Rui Barros, CEO of Yugo, believes that property managers and operators nowadays have the chance to provide students with opportunities for growth and a platform where their voice is heard.

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After joining Yugo’s team last year, Barros is overseeing how the company can create experiences for students and brings in some major takeaways from his three decades of experience in the hospitality industry and leadership roles. In the first episode of Student Housing Unlocked with Associate Editor Olivia Bunescu, Barros delves into the current trends in the sector, major shifts when it comes to addressing the students’ needs, Yugo’s global platform and initiatives, as well as some of the most overlooked aspects when it comes to student housing operations.

Here’s what they discussed about:

• Yugo’s platform and current trends in the student housing industry (2:02)
• Global reach and hospitality-centric strategies that work to attract students (7:04)
• Ensuring consistency throughout the portfolio and creating experiences (12:00)
• Best-performing markets and factors influencing growth (15:32)
• Yugo’s properties and amenities (18:21)
• Fostering a sense of community through Yugo’s initiatives (22:35)
• How can property managers reduce their environmental impact through sustainability programs (24:43)
• Ensuring students’ overall well-being and growth (28:58)
• Most overlooked aspects in the sector (33:22)
• Yugo’s expansion plans and strategy (38:38)
• What should we keep an eye on in the current economic environment? (40:33)

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Music credits: “Easy to find” by Corinne song via Uppbeat.com