The Accommodation Show - Hospitality Success Series!

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!I have spent a lot of time thinking about the obsession our industry has with growth at all costs. We are constantly told that bigger is better, but after chatting with Elle Knight, I am more convinced than ever that better is actually better. Elle has built an incredible portfolio of 170 properties across New Zealand, but she has done it with a philosophy that puts people and solid foundations ahead of raw numbers.In this episode, I wanted to explore how a former business lender for a major bank manages to scale a hospitality empire while keeping her feet firmly on the ground. Elle’s journey started under immense pressure—leaving a corporate career to care for her son—and she turned a side gig into a national brand called My Stays. We discuss the importance of not rushing the logistics and why trying to manage a property remotely, without a local soul on the ground, is a strategy that often fails to deliver real quality.SHOW LINKS:My Stays New Zealand: https://www.mystays.co.nzLakeside Rentals: https://www.lakesiderentals.co.nzElle Knight LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elle-knight-0314a5113/The Accommodation Show: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com#HospitalityPhilosophy #BetterIsBetter #PropertyManagementScale #TheAccommodationShow #NewZealandTourism #ShortTermRentals #NoFluffSHOW LINKSDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

I have always found it fascinating how skillsets from completely different industries can be an unfair advantage in the accommodation industry. Last week, I invited Vivian Yip onto the show because she spent seven years at Apple managing global inventory systems and logistics for the iPhone 12 launch. It turns out that managing a supply chain for a trillion-dollar tech giant is the perfect training ground for mastering the complex world of investing, hospitality and property management.In this episode, I wanted to dig into the idea that our properties are actually just one link in a larger supply chain. Vivian explains how the same logic used to get an iPhone into your hand can be applied to getting a high-value guest into your property. We talk about the transition from the high-stress world of Apple to the equally demanding world of flipping houses and building a rental empire in Austin, Texas. It is a look at how nailing your systems allows you to provide a level of hospitality that others simply cannot match.We go beyond the usual short-term rental chatter to explore why mid-term rentals, those 30-day-plus bookings, are often the key to higher margins and lower stress. If you have ever felt like you are on a hamster wheel with constant turnovers and cleaning schedules, Vivian’s perspective will likely change how you approach your business. It is about understanding that every struggle you face today is simply preparing you for a more sophisticated version of your business tomorrow.SHOW LINKS Hestia Homes: https://www.hestiahomes.com The Midterm Rental Movement (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Frictionless-MTR-System-Management-High-Performing-ebook/dp/B0GTZGJ8CPVivian Yip Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivian_yip_official/#MidTermRentals #AppleLogistics #HospitalityStrategy🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!How to Apply Apple's Supply Chain Strategy to Your Accommodation Business #HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthSHOW LINKSDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!I’ve always said that running a business on a "gut feeling" is a fast way to go broke. If you want to scale, you have to move from opinions to facts.In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Leifeld from Key Data to talk about the massive shift happening in the accommodation world. Daniel has been in the "Silicon Valley of vacation rentals" in Colorado since 2011, and he’s seen exactly how the biggest players use data to outmanoeuvre the rest of the market.We dive into why the "middle class" of property managers is currently being swallowed up by giants, the high-stakes strategy of blocking your calendar for the 2026 World Cup, and why RevPAR is the only metric that actually tells the truth about your performance.What we cover in this session:The World Cup Gamble: We look at why blocking your property for major events might actually backfire if you don’t understand the cross-border travel logistics. ⚽The Big Three Metrics: Why balancing ADR and Occupancy to find your true RevPAR is the absolute foundation of a professionalised business. 🔢The Loss of Mentorship: How industry consolidation is wiping out local knowledge and what you can do to fill that gap. 🤝The AI Slop Factor: Why early adopters of AI are paying the highest price and how to keep the "human" in your hospitality. 🤖ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

In the Season 22 opener, I sit down with Wil Slickers, a man who has lived several professional lives in just eight years. From the Oregon coast to the global stage at Skift, Wil’s journey is a masterclass in staying agile, identifying traction, and building a "moat" around your business using real human connections.We discuss the "Focus Trap," why the industry is currently drowning in "AI slop," and how you can use the same "co-opetition" strategies that helped Wil sell his media company to the biggest B2B travel brand in the world.What you will learn from this episode:The Focus Trap: Why being too rigid with your goals can stop you from seeing the real opportunities 🎯Beating "AI Slop": Why in-person networking is the only way to stay relevant in a world of generic digital noise 🗣️The Stained Glass Theory: How to balance your local "micro" perspective with a global travel outlook ⛪The ROI of High-Level Rooms: Why getting in front of executive-level CEOs changes your business psychology 🧠Co-opetition: How collaborating with your "competitors" actually scales your revenue 🤝TIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction: Welcoming Wil Slickers 🎙️00:34 - From Front Desk to Media Executive 🏨02:47 - Using Podcasting for Career Development 📈06:17 - The Travel Media Ecosystem: Moving to Skift 🌐10:18 - Networking ROI: Why Conferences Still Matter 🤝16:23 - The Psychological Shift: Overcoming Small Business Limiting Beliefs 🧠21:27 - Content Strategy: Avoiding Information Overload 📱29:11 - The Rise of AI Slop: In-Person is the New Moat 🤖31:48 - Final Thoughts: How to Connect with Wil 🔗ABOUT OUR GUEST:Wil Slickers is a hospitality veteran who started as a front desk agent at a 700-room resort before launching 'Slick Talk,' a premier hospitality podcast. He eventually founded a media network which was acquired by Skift, the leading global travel media company. He now focuses on bridging the gap between short-term rentals and the wider travel and leisure sectors.SHOW LINKS:Skift: https://skift.comSlick Talk Podcast: https://slicktalkpodcast.comWil Slickers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wil-slickers/The Accommodation Show: https://www.theaccommodationshow.comSTRIVE 2026 Highlight Reel: https://youtu.be/nZL4NCHX55M 📽️#HospitalityMarketing #ShortTermRentals #WilSlickers #Skift #TheAccommodationShow #STRSuccess #PropertyManagementACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Are you paying an "attention tax" on your business? Most of us rely on the "Set and Forget" model—paying tolls to OTAs and big tech ads just to get a guest through the door. But what if you could drop that spend to zero?I sat down with Madison Rifkin to discuss the "$1 Million Ad-Spend Pivot." We dive into how a "Content Army" of organic creators can replace expensive advertising and why the traditional way of looking at social media is officially dead. If you've ever been frustrated by an influencer asking for a "free stay," this conversation will change your perspective on the creative resource you are actually missing out on.IN THIS EPISODE WE DISCUSS:The $1M Pivot: How to move from paid ads to organic growth.The "Toll Road" Trap: Why relying on OTAs is a tax on your business.The Content Army: Turning normal travellers into your best marketing team.Algorithm Shifts: Why your followers don't matter as much as you think.Market Expertise: Using the destination to sell the stay.CHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction: The "Set and Forget" Trap02:15 - The $1 Million Ad-Spend Pivot05:30 - What is a "Content Army"?10:45 - Why Follower Counts are a Vanity Metric15:20 - Negotiating for the "Raw Footage"21:10 - The "Market Expert" Strategy for STRs27:45 - Instagram vs. TikTok: Where to focus in 202632:00 - Getting started without a massive budgetHASHTAGS:#ShortTermRentals #PropertyManagement #BookDirect #InfluencerMarketing #MadisonRifkin #TheAccommodationShowDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!When I was a kid, my favourite act at the circus was watching the clowns keep a dozen plates spinning at once. If you are an accommodation operator, you have probably accidentally mastered this exact same art in your business.You tap the tasks you can control, accept the ones you can't, but underneath it all, there is a chaotic middle ground. It's the operations you should control, but haven't systemised yet.A few months ago, I received an email from a company in Finland asking to sponsor STRive in Australia and New Zealand. I was blown away by the distance they were travelling, but that is the magic of STRive—bringing people together from across the globe to share their solutions to our shared struggles.That company was Pacho. I invited its founder, Joonas Sipilä, onto the podcast. Joonas used to manage 100+ properties in Finland and hit this exact operational wall.Instead of a software pitch, we sat down to dissect the fundamental mindset shifts required to fix the ground operations of hospitality.📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Introduction: The art of spinning plates 02:51 – Scaling from 1 to 100: Where the wheels fall off 05:51 – The fundamental flaw in hospitality CRMs 11:58 – The Paradigm Shift: Treating the property as the client 15:18 – Building a "Medical Record" for your physical assets 19:02 – Practical AI: Triage, photo analysis, and dispatch logistics 22:23 – Joonas's transition from the trenches to tech founder 26:20 – Why operations (not just pricing) dictate your profit margins 32:08 – Future-proofing your ground game for 2026#PropertyManagement #Operations #ThoughtLeadership #STRive #AssetManagementSHOW LINKS Pacho: https://pacho.app/Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!This week, I did something a little unusual. I invited Mark Simpson (Founder of Boostly) onto the show.Technically, Mark and I are competitors. We both build high-converting Direct Booking websites. But we both agree on one critical truth: By relying on third-party listing sites, you aren't just paying commissions—you are leaving your most valuable asset on the table.It’s not just about the 15% fee. It’s about the Customer Data and Brand Equity you miss out on every time a guest books through an app instead of with you.I see Mark as a collaborator in a much bigger mission: helping you stop "renting" your customers and start building a cohesive marketing ecosystem that you actually own.We sat down to discuss the massive opportunity cost of ignoring your direct channel, specifically how it impacts your bottom line today, and your business valuation tomorrow.📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Introduction: Why I Invited My Competitor02:53 – Hotels vs Short-Term Rentals: The marketing gap05:10 – The Mistake: "Mona Lisa" Websites vs Functional Design08:59 – The Valuation Opportunity: How direct bookings increase exit price11:08 – Case Study: How a strong brand added millions to a sale15:02 – The Ecosystem: Connecting Email, Web, and Social18:40 – Content Strategy: Newsletters that actually get read22:25 – The Future: AI Search & The changing digital landscape30:16 – Collaboration over Competition#DirectBookings #HospitalityMarketing #BusinessStrategySHOW LINKSBoostly: https://boostly.co.ukBook Direct Playbook: https://amazon.comDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!📧 Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources:https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here:https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE:https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer:This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Running one event is hard. Running 19 in a single year sounds impossible.I sat down with Heidi Henrisken (Executive Director of VR Nation) to ask her how they are physically pulling this off.This year, they are running a full National Conference in Denver plus an 18-city "Roadshow" where they drive a van across the US to host local workshops.We break down the logistics of the "Tour Bus" model, why they decided to charge only $25 for tickets, and how they manage the workload without a massive staff.📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Introduction & The Rebrand to VR Nation 05:36 – Going National: The strategy behind the expansion 09:18 – The "Village" Model: Managing 40+ Volunteers 11:56 – The 5 Advisory Boards (and why they are Operators Only) 14:20 – Competitive Collaboration: Solving the advocacy crisis 17:47 – The Roadshow Logistics: Driving a van to 18 cities25:13 – Building Culture: The Housekeeping Olympics & Golden Toilets 30:16 – Future plans for the VR Nation AcademyDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE!I find that everyone talks predominantly about Airbnb SEO. But I find it hard to find anyone talking about how to rank higher on Booking.com.For most Hotels, Motels, and Short Term Rentals, Booking.com is the engine room that drives the most consistent volume. Yet, most of us treat it as a "set and forget" channel. We feed the rates from our PMS and hope for the best.In this episode, I sit down with Miro Gospodinov, the founder of myDataValue, to reverse-engineer the Booking.com algorithm.Miro explains why the way most of us manage revenue—by lowering base rates in our PMS—is actually a "Silent Discount" that the algorithm ignores. He breaks down the exact strategy to trigger visibility boosts using the "Pyramid" method.📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Intro & Who is Miro?02:30 - Why Ranking #1 Matters (70% More Bookings) 06:00 - The Booking.com Algorithm: Pricing vs. Promotions 09:20 - The "Billboard Effect" & Genius Program 11:31 - The 30% Rule: How Price Impacts Rank 14:50 - The "Great Parity" Problem (95% Fail This) 17:00 - Promotions vs. PMS Discounts 20:13 - How to Track Your Ranking (The Spreadsheet Method) 23:00 - Why Hotels are Ahead of STRs in Revenue Management 26:30 - Future Trends: AI Agents & Search 28:00 - Summary & Final Tips#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthSHOW LINKSGUEST LINKS: 🔹 myDataValue: https://mydatavalue.com 🔹 Connect with Miro: https://linkedin.com/in/miro-g?originalSubdomain=ukDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

JJ King thought he was starting a side hustle. Three years later, he has over 300 properties under management.In this episode, we break down exactly how Beachside Vacation Rentals went from zero to market leader in Florida in record time.We discuss the "Google Maps" strategy that allowed them to dominate local search, why they focus on "Donuts over Referral Fees" when talking to Real Estate Agents, and the crazy story of how they acquired 70 units in a single week when a competitor went bust.If you are looking to grow your inventory in 2026, this is the playbook.📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Intro: From Side Hustle to 300 Units 04:50 - The "Google Maps" Strategy (Ranking #1) 09:15 - How to Get Reviews on Google (Not just Airbnb) 3:20 - Real Estate Agents: Donuts vs. Referral Fees 18:40 - The "Lucky Break": Acquiring 70 Units in a Week 24:30 - Advice for Newbies: Go Work for Someone Else First 29:10 - Writing Content for AI (AEO Strategy) 32:45 - Using Zapier + OpenAI for Reviews#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthSHOW LINKSSHOW LINKS: 🔹 Beachside Vacation Rentals: https://beachsidevr.com 🔹 Zapier: https://zapier.com 🔹 OpenAI: https://openai.com 🔹 Google Business Profile: https://google.com/businessDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Are you running your accommodation business with 50 tabs open? One for pricing, one for cleaning, one for the PMS... it’s a recipe for burnout.In this episode, we gather the leaders from Resly, PriceLabs, Operto, and Whizz—our key partners for the Strive Conference—to map out the future of hospitality technology.We go beyond the buzzwords to find out what is actually working. We discuss the rise of "Agentic AI" (and how it’s already solving 66% of support tickets), why the era of "App Overload" is ending, and the specific tools these founders use to run their own companies.If you want to future-proof your operations for 2026, this is your roadmap.🎟️ MEET THESE TEAMS AT STRIVE 2026: Get your tickets for Melbourne & Auckland: https://strivetothrive.com.auIN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN: 🚀 The 2026 Tech Trend: Why the industry is moving from "App Overload" to "Unified Ecosystems." 🤖 Real AI Utility: How Resly’s internal agent ("Frank") automates 66% of staff workload. ⚠️ The "User Trap": The #1 reason tech implementation fails (and how to fix it). 🧰 The Founder’s Stack: The specific AI tools these CEOs use to manage their inbox and meetings.CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro & The 2026 Tech Landscape 01:55 - Why STR Adopts Tech Faster than Hotels 03:06 - The "50 Tabs" Nightmare (Tech Fatigue) 04:30 - "Agentic AI" vs. Basic Automation 06:37 - PriceLabs: Managing 600k Listings & Burnout 08:57 - Whizz: Moving Beyond Cleaning to Marketplaces 14:15 - The Debate: All-in-One vs. Best-in-Breed? 15:34 - The "User Trap": Why Tech Implementation Fails 18:01 - Stop Buying Software Your VAs Haven't Tested 21:30 - "Unreasonable Hospitality" in a Tech World 23:26 - When Should You Fire Your Software? 29:07 - The "Squeaky Wheel" Strategy (Getting Better Support) 30:10 - What Tools Do Tech Founders Actually Use? 31:28 - Meet "Frank": How Resly Automates 66% of Support 33:17 - How to Connect ChatGPT to Your Internal Data (Slack/Jira) 35:01 - Using Read.ai & Gemini for Meeting Notes 36:54 - Fixer AI: The "Inbox PA" That Drafts Your Emails 38:43 - ASPR AI for Sales Automation 40:00 - Strive Conference & Wrap UpGUEST LINKS: 🔹 Resly: https://resly.com.au 🔹 PriceLabs: https://pricelabs.co 🔹 Operto: https://operto.com 🔹 Whizz: https://whizz.com.au 🔹 Fyxer (Inbox Assistant): https://fyxer.com 🔹 Read.ai: https://read.aiABOUT THE ACCOMMODATION SHOW: The Accommodation Show is the leading podcast for the accommodation industry, covering short-term rentals, hotels, and motels. We help you stay ahead of the curve with expert insights and actionable advice.ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

In Part 2 of our 2026 Predictions series, we head to the ASTRA "Here to Stay" Conference to get a global perspective on the Short Term Rental industry.For Episode 2 of Season 21, I grabbed the microphone at the ASTRA "Here to Stay" Conference to ask 14 of the smartest operators and executives in the APAC region the same question:"What do operators need to look out for in 2026?"It was fascinating to see the difference in focus between the two continents. While the conversation in the US was heavily focused on Acquisition (Search, SEO, AI Planning), the leaders in Australia went deep on Operations.If last week was about "getting the booking," this week is about "delivering the experience."In this episode, you will learn: ✅ The "Flight to Quality": Tim Rosolio (Expedia) explains why guests are looking for "no surprises" over "luxury." ✅ The China Rebound: Kevin Liu (Trip.com) reveals the data on the fastest-recovering market and how to capture it. ✅ Agentic AI: Ethan Brown (Hospitable) on why AI is about to start operating your business for you. ✅ Exit Strategy: Dan White (Canbnb) on how to target a 3-5x EBITDA multiple.📋 In this episode, we discuss:🎙️ FEATURED GUESTS & TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Tim Rosolio (Expedia): The Flight to Quality (Consistency - Luxury) 04:02 - Alex Ormerod (Luxico): Hyper-personalization at scale 10:14 - Billy Crock (Hometime): Quality metrics & retention 12:35 - Kevin Liu (Trip.com): The return of the China market & family travel 23:55 - Julie George (Million Dollar Host): Embracing youth for tech adoption 27:14 - Dan White (Canbnb): Direct bookings & Exit Multiples (3-5x EBITDA) 36:34 - Samuel Steel (Resly): AI for Operations & Predictive Maintenance 42:58 - Pete Smith (Weekenda): "Garbage In, Garbage Out" with AI 48:29 - Deepanshu Nihalani (PriceLabs): Pricing for the "Mid-Season" shift54:26 - Chris de Closey (Switch Solutions): Shorter booking windows 56:15 - Ethan Brown (Hospitable): The rise of "Agentic AI" 01:02:12 - Dan de Witte (Moxxi): Branding is the core of AI success 01:10:04 - Georgia Smith (Hunter Holidays): Finding the right AI tools 01:14:31 - Alessio Famularo (AirKeeper): Culture & Training people behind the tech#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthSHOW LINKSDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community:https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

How do you go from finding clients on Gumtree to selling a 145-property portfolio?In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Hayden D'Arcy, co-founder of Home Hero. His journey is one of the most relatable and inspiring stories we've had on the show.He started in 2015 with no clients. He drove a wrecked car to his first listing appointment (and hid it around the corner!). But through a relentless "Say Yes" strategy, he built a massive property management business on the Gold Coast, survived COVID, and recently achieved a successful exit.We dive into the reality of running a service business alongside a tech company, how to value your business for a sale, and why buying a cleaning company was the key to solving his operational headaches.#FromHustleToExit #ScaleWithSystems #AccommodationGrowthibooked.online Book Direct Websites🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferencesDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com1. YouTube ChaptersThis is a fantastic "Building It" episode. It has everything: a humble beginning (Gumtree!), a struggle phase, a tech spin-off (Home Hero), rapid growth during COVID, and finally, a successful exit.The story about hiding the wrecked car around the corner is absolute gold—it's the perfect hook to show how far he came.Here are the promotional assets for the episode with Hayden D'Arcy.1. YouTube Chapters00:00 - Intro: Selling a 145-Property Business01:46 - The Humble Start: Getting Clients on Gumtree in 201503:04 - The "Wrecked Car" Story: Faking It 'Til You Make It05:34 - Co-founding Home Hero & Annoying Airbnb for API Access09:38 - The Reality of Running Two Businesses at Once (18-Hour Days)12:11 - The COVID Pivot: How He Grew When Others Quit16:21 - The "Say Yes" Strategy: Taking Opportunities Others Refused19:05 - Solving the Ops Nightmare: Buying a Cleaning Company20:32 - The Hardest Founder Lesson: Learning to Let Go22:31 - The Exit: Why He Sold His Portfolio to Focus on Tech25:41 - How to Prepare Your Business for Sale (Valuation Tips)✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Is your AI just a toy, or is it a business asset?In this episode of Automate It, I sit down with Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh, a retired healthcare professional who built a luxury STR brand using advanced automation.We dive deep into why the PDF lead magnet is dead (and what to use instead) and how to build a "Marketing Library" to train Custom GPTs that write exactly like you. Rachel shares her specific playbook for creating AI agents that handle reviews, social media, and team training without sounding robotic.If you want to stop writing every email from scratch and start building systems that buy back your time, this episode is your blueprint.SHOW LINKSDr Rachel on Facebook: https://www.facebook.comChatGPT: https://chatgpt.comClaude: https://claude.aiGemini: https://gemini.google.comCanva: https://www.canva.comNotebook LM: https://notebooklm.google.comClose CRM: https://www.close.comVRMA: https://www.vrma.org Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferencesDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com1. YouTube Chapters00:00 - Intro: Dr. Rachel Gainsbrugh & The Healthcare Connection02:16 - Why Doctors Make the Best Airbnbs Hosts (Patient Care vs Guest Care)06:22 - Is AI Overhyped? (What's Actually Working Right Now)07:51 - The Secret Weapon: AI Note-Takers & Authentic Content11:11 - Building a "Marketing Library" to Train Your AI13:00 - How to Train Claude/ChatGPT on Your Brand Voice17:49 - The Death of the PDF: Why Lead Magnets Must Be Interactive20:00 - Using "NotebookLM" to Turn Notes into Podcasts & Tools23:54 - How to Create a High-Value Lead Magnet for STRs27:26 - Email Marketing 101: Nurturing Leads for Direct Bookings34:23 - Masterclass: How to Build Custom GPTs for Your Business35:09 - The "Review Response GPT" Formula39:05 - Using AI for Social Media Captions & Images42:12 - Final Advice: Just Start & Ask AI How to Use AI✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Traditional search is dying. The "Great Reset" is over. And if you are still running your business like a hobby, 2026 is going to be a wake-up call.To kick off Season 21 of The Accommodation Show, I took the microphone to the floor of VRMA International in Las Vegas to ask 14 of the smartest people in the industry one single question:"What is the #1 trend operators need to look out for in 2026?"📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Miles Hobson (Hospitable) on Human Connection in AI 01:31 - Heather Bayer: Implementing AI Pragmatically 03:38 - Benjamin Coleman: Revenue Management & Ancillary Upsells 05:35 - Patryk Swietek: The Rise of the "All-Inclusive" Concierge 07:42 - Yair Holtzer (Guesty): The Fight for Quality Inventory 09:50 - Matthew Tesdall: Influencer Marketing for Destination Markets 11:43 - Margot Schmorak (Hostfully): Professionalizing & The Maturity Model 14:23 - Annie Sloan (The Host Co): Why Keywords are Dead (Contextual Search)17:55 - Ashley Ching (Inhaven): The Missing Quality Framework 20:08 - Simon Seroussi (So Suite): Pruning Properties for Profitability 22:28 - Jeff Iloulian (HostGPO): Standardization & Guest Expectations 24:42 - Jacobie Olin (C2G Advisors): M&A Trends & Fixing Churn 27:35 - Richie Khandelwal (PriceLabs): Visibility in the Age of LLMs30:00 - Julie Brinkman (Beyond): AI#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthSHOW LINKSDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

I’m a firm believer that great operations beat great intentions, every time.In this episode of Building It, I sat down with Noelia Novella, founder of Doinn, to unpack the unglamorous engine room of our trade: cleaning, maintenance, and the workflows that either delight guests… or quietly drain profit.After a decade building an ops platform now used in 20 countries, Noelia has the scars and the playbook. We dig into how to standardise quality without sending supervisors everywhere, and the specific numbers behind linen logistics, routing, and rework that affect your margins.SHOW LINKS • Doinn – Smart operations for STRs: https://www.doinn.com • VRMA – Vacation Rental Management Association: https://www.vrma.org #ops #cleaningstandards #hospitalitytech Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What's the most profitable question in history? "Would you like fries with that?" 🍟It’s the original upsell, and it built an empire. In our world, airlines, hotels, and OTAs all do it. And yes, Airbnb is building it with "Experiences." We all know we should be offering more than just a bed, but let's be honest—it’s hard.That's why I was so excited to sit down with Siddhi Mitall, co-founder of Y-Hangry. She's not just talking about it; she's building the platform that delivers the ultimate "fries with that" moment: a private chef in your property.This is one of the most inspiring "Building It" stories I've heard. Siddhi and her co-founder left high-flying careers as traders at Barclays to chase a hunch. They started with almost nothing—just a PDF menu and a WhatsApp chat to test their idea.That hustle got them onto Dragon's Den and into the legendary Y Combinator accelerator (the one that backed Airbnb and Stripe!).SHOW LINKS Yhangry — https://www.yhangry.com BBC Dragon’s Den — https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLHZOFZHfAc#UpsellsThatWork #ExperientialStays #Hospitality📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Intro: Bridging Food & Accommodation 01:41 - "Why Are You Hangry?" - The Origin Story 02:20 - The Power of a Co-Founder02:59 - The "Hunch": Starting with WhatsApp & a PDF 05:15 - How Y-Hangry is Different (Personalisation vs. Fixed Menus) 08:08 - The Lean Startup: Proving Demand Before Building Tech 12:40 - Bootstrapping, Quitting Corporate, & Dragon's Den 16:23 - Why They Said "Yes to Every Shot" (Including Dragon's Den) 18:25 - The Truth About TV: Why 2M Viewers Didn't Lead to Immediate Sales 19:10 - The "Aha!" Moment: Realising the Long Lead Time of a Booking 21:13 - The Big Pivot: Discovering 55% of Bookings Were in Holiday Homes 23:39 - Founder Advice: Hospitality is Hard, It's About People 25:33 - How to Connect with Y-Hangry#HospitalityLeadership #SystemiseToScale #STRGrowthDon't forget to hit that subscribe button!  This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!  📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍 Join the Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Community: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🔗 Connect with Bart Sobies for industry insights, tools, and resources: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Catch every episode of The Accommodation Show here: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com✨ Ready to take things up a level? Come to STRIVE: https://www.striveconferences.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

My litmus test for "useful AI" is simple: does this tool buy back my time, or just find new ways to spend it?The best insights come from peers. At VRMA, Dennis (Casiola) told me I had to see what Cole Rubin and Conduit were building. This is that conversation.We're not talking AI hype; we're talking a real-world look at 85% guest message automation with a 95% guest satisfaction score. We dive into the "hospitable AI" model (knowing when to escalate) and the "omnichannel inbox" (including live phone calls!) that makes it all possible.If you're trying to separate AI hype from reality, this episode provides a clear picture of what's actually possible.Conduit — https://conduit.aiCole on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/cole-rubin-368089159/#operationalexcellence #AIforthefrontdesk #PMS📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Intro: Cole Rubin from Conduit01:17 - The Power of Customer Referrals at VRMA02:46 - What is Conduit? The Elevator Pitch03:32 - The Origin Story: From Slack App to Y Combinator05:47 - Finding the "Ideal Customer Profile" (100+ Listings)07:16 - The Core Problem: Fragmented Guest Communication08:43 - Building the Omnichannel Inbox (The Foundation)10:08 - Handling Social Media, Email, SMS & Phone (VoIP)12:47 - How the AI Maps Contacts from Different Channels13:43 - Using Slack for the AI-to-Human Handoff16:00 - The "Game Changer": 85% Message Automation17:36 - Automating Pre-Booking Inquiries & Availability18:44 - The "Triangulation" Upsell Workflow (Guest -> Cleaner -> Guest)21:57 - The Partner Marketplace & Community (The "Salesforce" Model)24:12 - The Tech Stack: Twilio, 11Labs, GPT, Claude & Gemini27:25 - Why a Small, Young Team Can Out-Innovate Big Tech29:16 - Cole's Advice: Ask AI How to Automate Your Business31:40 - Is Automation More Important Than AI?32:10 - The Most Important Thing to Evaluate in an AI Tool34:18 - How to Connect with Cole & Conduit▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ibooked.online Book Direct Websites🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.onlineDon't forget to hit that subscribe button!  This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!  📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later:  https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.SHOW LINKSYouTube Chapters

What if the secret to growing your revenue was shrinking your portfolio?In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Tom Goodwin of Mountain Laurel Chalets, a 50-year-old family legacy business in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. When Tom stepped in to turn the struggling company around in 2012, his first move was radical: he cut 40 underperforming properties. The result? Revenue jumped 75%.This is a powerful story about building for quality and profitability over sheer volume. Tom shares his playbook for raising standards (even when it means letting owners and staff go), rebuilding after losing half the business to wildfires, and why they strategically reduced their direct booking percentage from 85% to find the right channel mix.Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00:00 - Intro: The Nicest Guy in Short-Term Rentals?00:01:37 - Marrying Into a 50-Year-Old Vacation Rental Legacy (Since 1972) 00:02:46 - From Non-Profit Ops to Turning Around the Family Business00:04:09 - The Origin Story: How Neighbours Became a Hospitality Business 00:08:06 - Taking the Reins: Preserving a Legacy While Driving Change 00:10:01 - The Turnaround Strategy: Cutting 40 Properties to Increase Revenue 00:13:20 - Unbuilding to Rebuild: The Painful Process of Raising Standards00:14:27 - Data Deep Dive: Finding the Sweet Spot for Profitability00:18:03 - Changing the Culture: Letting Go of Staff & Setting New Standards00:20:55 - Disaster Strikes: Losing Half the Business Overnight to Wildfires00:22:38 - The Evolution of STR: Navigating OTAs & Direct Bookings 00:26:36 - The Growth Plan: Quality Over Quantity (Targeting 120 Homes) 00:29:14 - Why High Margins Matter: Investing in People & Quality00:31:09 - Acquisition Lessons: Why Organic Growth Can Be Better 00:33:32 - The #1 Focus for the Next 10 Years: Guest Experience 00:36:27 - Connect with Tom GoodwinACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ibooked.online Book Direct Websites🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

Welcome to Season 20! Savannah Jackson (Hello Queenstown) reveals her "go deep, not wide" strategy, building her own cleaning and linen companies, and how she funded it all without using her own capital.It’s a powerful lesson in vertical integration, hybrid growth (acquisition + organic), and the "Screw It, Let's Do It" mindset.SHOW LINKS Hello Queenstown → https://www.helloqueenstown.nz The Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com#MarketPositioning #OperationalDiscipline #HospitalityStrategyibooked.online Book Direct Websites🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferences 📋 In this episode, we discuss:[00:00] Introduction and Hello Queenstown[01:01] From Stockbroking to Short-Term Rentals[02:12] Retiring at 45 and Starting Again in Queenstown[05:03] Building the Largest Cleaning and Linen Operation[07:19] Mindset Shifts: Service Over Commission[10:48] Lessons from Early Entrepreneurship[14:04] Scaling from 10 to 150 Properties in Two Years[17:56] Branding Power: The Office on Queenstown’s Roundabout[19:59] Developer Partnerships and Long-Term Growth[23:00] Building Without Capital: Creative Lending and Syndicates[25:45] Service, Professionalism, and Confidence as Growth Drivers[26:47] Community Ties in a Small Town[29:21] Why Hello Queenstown Won’t Expand Beyond Queenstown[31:01] Diversifying into Activities and Concierge Services[32:03] Final Advice: “Screw It, Just Do It”▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

You've survived your first year. Now what? How do you break through the growth plateau and scale from 20 properties to 500+?In Part 2 of my Building It conversation with Dennis Goedheid, founder of Casiola, we dive into the playbook for the scale-up. Dennis reveals his unconventional but brilliant growth hack: buying contracts directly from his competitors.He gives a step-by-step masterclass on how to find, value, and structure these small acquisition deals—covering everything from asset deals and escrow to the non-compete clauses you need to protect yourself. This is one of the most tactical episodes we've ever done.SHOW LINKSCasiola: https://www.casiola.comFranchise: https://www.casiola.com/franchise/#DirectBookings #ScalingSmart #AccommodationShow📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00:00 - Intro: Part 2 - After the First Year Failure00:01:24 - The Founder's Trap: Focusing on Operations Instead of Sales00:04:28 - Why Founders Get Stuck and Avoid Growth00:07:41 - A Growth Hack: Buying Contracts From Your Competitors00:13:21 - The Playbook for Acquiring STR Contracts (A Masterclass)00:15:00 - Asset Deal vs. Business Purchase: How to Avoid Liability00:15:40 - The Most Important Clause in a Management Contract00:17:36 - How to Use an Escrow to Protect Your Acquisition Deal00:23:39 - The ROI of Buying Contracts vs. Traditional Marketing00:27:36 - The Pandemic Pivot: De-Risking by Expanding to New Markets00:30:04 - The Aruba Case Study: From Partnership to 150 Homes in 2 Years00:35:50 - A Crucial Lesson for Scaling: SIMPLIFY Everything▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ibooked.online Book Direct Websites🌐 Website: https://www.ibooked.online🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibooked-online👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ibookedonlinefb/📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ibooked.online Strive Conferences🌐 Website: https://www.striveconferencescom🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/striveconferences/👍 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/striveconferences📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/striveconferencesDon't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What if the smartest way to start in a crowded market isn't to start from scratch?In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Dennis Goedheid, the founder of Casiola, who took an unconventional path. He bypassed the initial grind by acquiring a 20-property business to get his start.We break down his playbook for buying a business, the brutal honesty of his first-year failure (with negative growth), and the standardization strategy he used to scale to over 550 properties. This is a masterclass in creative and resilient entrepreneurship.Connect with Dennis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennisgoedheid/Casiola: https://www.casiola.com/Chapters:00:00:00 - Intro: The Founder's Shortcut to Starting an STR Business00:01:15 - Scaling Global: Taking a US Vacation Rental Brand to Europe00:02:22 - The Onboarding Filter: Setting Property Standards for Your STR Brand00:05:20 - The Scaling Mandate: Why You Must Standardise Your Operations00:08:13 - Startup Strategy: Buying a Vacation Rental Business vs. Building From Scratch00:09:45 - The Vacation Rental Myth: The Brutal Reality of "Passive Income"00:11:36 - The Buy vs. Build Playbook: A Shortcut for STR Entrepreneurs00:12:17 - Acquisition 101: How to Value & Buy a Property Management Company00:20:31 - Due Diligence Tip: The Power of Property Location Density00:23:27 - The First-Year Failure: Overcoming Negative Growth as a Founder00:31:55 - Accidental Branding: How a Simple Colour Built Their Brand Identity00:37:25 - Founder's Final Playbook: Creative Financing & Strategic Partnerships▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button!  This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!  📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later:  https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

It's one of the biggest success stories in the Australian short-term rental industry: a founder builds a brand from the ground up and navigates it to a headline-making $50 million+ acquisition by a global giant. But how did he actually do it?In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Quirin Schwaighofer, the Co-Founder of MadeComfy, to get the full story behind one of Australia's most recognised STR brands. Quirin reveals the powerful 15-year plan he created at age 30, which became the blueprint for his entire career and eventual exit.This isn't just an inspiring story; it's a deep dive into the mindset and strategy required to build a truly valuable asset. We break down the brilliant pivot that gave MadeComfy a huge competitive advantage and the inside story of how the landmark deal with OYO really happened (starting with a single message on LinkedIn).Quirin Schwaighofer is the Co-CEO & Co-Founder of the Australian accommodation innovator, MadeComfy. A seasoned expert in scaling high-growth businesses, he raised over $20 million in capital before leading MadeComfy to one of the largest exits in the history of Australia’s short-term rental industry.Guest & Company Links:MadeComfy Website: https://www.madecomfy.com.auQuirin Schwaighofer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quirinschwaighofer/OYO Website: https://www.oyorooms.com/Chapters:00:00 - Intro: Building an Airbnb Business to a $50M+ Acquisition02:08 - A Founder's 15-Year Plan for Financial Freedom09:52 - Why True Financial Independence Isn't About Money15:11 - Surviving COVID with Only 3 Months of Runway18:38 - The Strategic Pivot Beyond Airbnb for Massive Growth21:22 - Building a Moat: Why Their Strategy Was Kept Secret28:20 - The "Aha!" Moment: When the New Strategy Proved a Winner32:03 - How OYO Discovered & Acquired Them (The LinkedIn Message)39:33 - The Hardest Part of the Acquisition Process50:04 - What's Next for MadeComfy After the OYO Acquisition55:30 - A Founder's Advice for Airbnb & STR Entrepreneurs▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

You don’t get to 250+ properties by chance. You build it. Brick by brick. System by system. Mistake by mistake.That’s exactly what Lisa Peterson did.Last week in Part 1, we talked about profitability, the stuff that actually matters. We explored how Lisa built L’Abode Accommodation from scratch, kept her business lean, and stayed focused on profit.That episode struck a chord. So we kept the mics on.In Part 2, we go deeper. We step inside the engine room of Lisa’s operation and unpack how it all works.We cover:✔️ How she scaled from 90 to 250+ properties without breaking herself ✔️ The systems that allow her to deliver a consistent guest experience at scale ✔️ The extras she charges for — and why guests actually love them ✔️ The KPIs that matter (and the ones she completely ignores)This episode is for anyone in the accommodation space who wants to scale without the chaos, grow without losing quality, and build a business that doesn’t burn you out.👉 Whether you run a motel, a short-term rental, or a growing hospitality brand, you’ll find real, usable insights here.Hit play. Take notes. Then go build something that works.👇 Drop a comment if this one hit home.SHOW LINKS:L’Abode Accommodation → https://labodeaccommodation.com.auThe Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com#SystemBasedGrowth #HospitalityInsights #SustainableBusiness📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Scaling Fast: From 90 to 250 Properties 01:31 – Early Challenges: Onboarding, Owners, and Guest Issues 04:23 – Streamlining with Tech: From Gantt Charts to monday.com 06:15 – No Marketing, Just Referrals: The Growth Secret 07:34 – Cleaning Dilemma: In-House Teams vs. Contractors 09:59 – Partnering with Contractors: Advanced Clean & Regional Teams 13:19 – Profitability Insights: Margins on Cleaning & Linen 15:48 – Service Fees and Maintenance: Where the Real Profit Is 18:44 – Why Management Fees Alone Don’t Work 21:52 – Choosing the Right Owners: Cutting Bad Fits Early 24:24 – Competing in a Crowded Market: Branding & Extras 26:36 – Final Tips: KPIs, Accountability, and Profitability▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

What if the real secret to success isn’t more properties, more tech, or a bigger team… but something far simpler?In this episode of Building It, I sit down with Lisa Peterson, founder of L’Abode Accommodation — a business she started from her bedroom, now managing over 250 properties across five states. She’s one of the most grounded, thoughtful operators I’ve ever met, and her story is packed with wisdom for anyone in the accommodation space.We dive into the one thing so many people overlook when they’re growing their business: profitability. Not revenue, not bookings — but actually making money. The kind of business that pays you back for the effort you put in, instead of draining you dry.SHOW LINKS:L’Abode Accommodation – https://www.labodeaccommodation.com.au#HospitalityProfit #ScalingWithSystems #AccommodationGrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Meet Lisa Peterson: From 13 Years in Business to 250 Properties 01:22 – Why Sharing Knowledge Fuels Industry Success 05:28 – Building Community and Connection in Short-Term Rentals 07:58 – Growing Up with Nothing: Lessons in Hard Work and Money 14:20 – Discovering Holiday Rentals and the Spark to Start 16:39 – Launching with $10k and Scaling to 90 Properties in 6 Months 19:24 – Solving Problems with Scalable Systems 22:40 – Why Concierge Services Don’t Pay and Cutting Unprofitable Tasks 25:20 – Building a 50/50 Onshore/Offshore Team 26:34 – Tracking Staff Performance with Monday.com and Hubstaff 31:18 – Profitability Mindset: Beyond 20% Management Fees 34:07 – Final Tips: Increase Net Profit and Build a Real Business▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

This episode is all about the leap. The grit. And the reality of building a startup from scratch in the short-term rental world. If you've ever stared at a clunky check-in system or juggled five tools just to welcome a guest, this one's going to hit close to home.Our guest is Michael O’Connell, founder of Happy Guest; a smart, frictionless platform designed to simplify guest journeys from check-in to check-out. Before launching Happy Guest, Michael led strategic sales and partnerships at Turno and worked across the STR tech landscape. He knew the chaos operators were facing and decided to fix it.This is a raw, honest chat about what it really takes to go from idea ➡️ execution. Michael opens up about the sacrifices, burnout, and brutal clarity needed to survive the startup rollercoaster, without a fancy VC cheque.SHOW LINKSHappy Guest – https://www.happyguestofficial.com Michael O’Connell on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/happyguestmike/#BuildingItSeries #RunwayToSuccess #GuestExperienceMatters📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Introduction and Background01:02 – From Vegas to Strive: A Growing Connection02:30 – Entering the STR Industry by Accident04:06 – What is Happy Guest? Startup Origins Explained05:54 – Do You See Yourself as an Entrepreneur?07:01 – Launching the MVP: Testing with Real Guests08:56 – Guest-Facing Tech: Why First Impressions Matter10:42 – Lessons from Beta Testing: What to Launch and What to Kill12:48 – Building Without VC: Bootstrapping and Personal Sacrifices15:37 – The Mental Toll: Burnout and Startup Pressure18:01 – Projections, Runway & Revenue Modelling21:25 – When the Numbers Don’t Match the Plan23:51 – Startup Life Is Not Glamorous25:50 – Why Every Dollar Counts: Sacrifices and Strategy27:25 – Burnout is Real: Balancing Hustle and Health30:00 – What I’d Tell My Past Self32:20 – Final Advice for Future Founders▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Running an accommodation business doesn’t have to mean drowning in endless tasks and late-night guest messages. In this episode, I sit down with Lauren Heys and Dan White from Moxxi Property, Tasmania’s largest short-term rental management company, to uncover the systems and tech that allow you to scale without burning out.From automating with tools like n8n, to deploying AI agents, to building onboarding processes that actually save time, this episode is a must-watch for anyone looking to run a smoother, smarter operation. Whether you're managing 5 properties or 150+, you’ll walk away with real strategies and mindset shifts you can apply right now.👀 If you’re serious about building a sustainable STR or accommodation business — and tired of doing it all yourself — this one’s for you.SHOW LINKSMoxxi Property – https://www.moxxiproperty.com.au Resly PMS – https://resly.com.au PriceLabs – https://www.pricelabs.co Key Data Dashboard – https://keydatadashboard.com n8n Automation – https://n8n.io Gemini by Google – https://ai.google.dev/gemini Claude AI – https://www.anthropic.com/index/claude#SmartScaling#PracticalAI#OptimiseWithTech📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Welcome to Building It: Meet Dan de Witte and Lauren Heys 01:05 The Early Days: Chaos, Growth and Lessons 04:18 Scaling STRs with Systems That Work 07:26 How Mindset Impacts Business Growth 10:49 Picking the Right Tech (and Ditching the Wrong Stuff) 14:12 Smart Systems vs. Tech Overload 17:08 Automating Without Losing the Human Touch 20:21 Hiring, Delegating & Building a Real Team 23:34 The Role of Coaching in the STR Journey 26:45 Lauren’s Lean Business Framework Explained 30:04 Future-Proofing: What Hosts Should Focus on Next 33:29 Final Thoughts: Tech, People & Playing the Long Game▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

👇 Ready to grow your short-term rental business without burning out? This episode is for you.In this episode of The Accommodation Show, we continue our Building It series with Tim Mortimer, founder of BNB Made Easy, one of the fastest growing short-term rental brands in regional Australia.What started in Tim’s garage with one listing has grown into a thriving operation with 200+ properties across four markets. But what makes his story so compelling is how he built it: thoughtful planning, community roots, operational discipline, and a strong sense of purpose.🎯 If you're in the accommodation industry, whether it's short-term rentals, motels, hotels or boutique stays, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Tim shares the exact strategies he used to scale smart, hire well, and systemise the business without losing what made it special.🔗 Show LinksBNB Made Easy – https://bnbmadeeasy.com.au/Tim Mortimer on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mortimer-b8a759190/The Accommodation Show – https://theaccommodationshow.com/iBooked.Online – https://ibooked.online/💬 Drop a comment below and let us know your biggest takeaway.👍 Like, subscribe and share if you’re building your own accommodation business!#BuildingItSeries #ShortTermRentals #STRGrowth #BNBMadeEasy #TheAccommodationShow📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Meet Tim Mortimer – From Backyard Builds to STR Success 01:05 How a Furniture Side Hustle Became a Full STR Business 04:45 Solving Real Problems in Property Styling & Guest Experience 07:30 Scaling from 1 to 100+ Units – Lessons in Rapid Growth 10:50 Building Systems, Teams & Tech to Run a Growing STR Biz 14:20 Why They Moved to Manufacturing & Built In-House 17:00 Managing Cashflow, Risk & Pressure While Scaling 20:30 Hiring for Culture, Staying Focused, and Letting Go 24:10 Advice for Hosts: Strategy, Simplicity & Scaling Smart ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

In this episode of The Accommodation Show, I sit down with Alexandra and Tom Ormerod, the powerhouse duo behind Luxico, Australia’s premier luxury villa rental brand and now stars of the brand-new global reality TV series, Billion Dollar Playground.🎬 Billion Dollar Playground is now streaming on BINGE, Foxtel, BBC iPlayer, and airing in Canada, New Zealand, and more. We lift the lid on what it takes to build a luxury short-term rental business – and then turn it into a TV show broadcast around the world.SHOW LINKSLuxico → https://luxico.com.au The Billion Dollar Playground (BBC) → https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/m002fmjh/billion-dollar-playground The Accommodation Show → https://www.theaccommodationshow.com#BehindTheScenesHospitality #STRLeadership #LuxuryRentalLessons📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Meet the Founders of Luxico 01:02 - The 7-Year Journey to Reality TV 03:17 - How Luxico Became a Luxury Rental Brand 05:13 - Running a Business as a Married Couple 07:22 - Finding Luxury Homes & Vetting Homeowners 10:12 - Guest Experience & Membership Tiers 12:47 - Behind the Scenes of Filming 15:33 - Was the Show Scripted or Real? 18:52 - Team Turnover and Managing On-Camera Challenges 22:52 - Reality TV vs Business Reputation 25:42 - Staff Wellbeing During Production 30:08 - Inside the Production Setup 31:46 - Guest Reviews & Leadership Growth 34:37 - Elevating the Short-Term Rental Industry 37:46 - What’s Next for Luxico and the Show?▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

If I asked you to name your top priority for 2025, what would it be?For most property managers and accommodation managers, it’s more bookings—without burning out or slashing rates.This season on The Accommodation Show, I’ve been asking industry leaders one simple but powerful question:“What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”Each guest has shared something different—strategies for pricing, marketing, and operations—but when I sat down with Tim Rosolio, VP of Vacation Rental Partnerships at Expedia Group, his tip stood out because it addressed the one thing every property manager wants more of:👉 More bookings.Tim works closely with property managers worldwide through platforms like Vrbo, Expedia, and Stays, giving him a global perspective on what’s working right now. And his message was clear...SHOW LINKS:Expedia Group: https://www.expedia.com/Vrbo Vacation Rentals: https://www.vrbo.com/#VacationRentalTips #AccommodationBusinessGrowth #GuestExperienceSuccess📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Introduction01:20 - Tim Roselio’s Role at Expedia Group02:34 - Vacation Rental Market Trends: A Global Perspective04:34 - Understanding Regional Differences in Vacation Rentals08:10 - How to Improve Guest Experience & Reduce Cancellations15:15 - Essential Property Management Strategies for 202518:50 - Final Thoughts and Expert Advice▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

This one is deeply personal, and I’m so glad I get to share it with you.In this episode, I sit down with Ronda Amende, founder of TimeOut, a charity that connects terminally ill people and their families with donated holiday homes across New Zealand. Her story is honest, moving, and an incredible reminder of the human side of what we do in accommodation.💡 We often focus on occupancy rates, automation, and scale — but what if a few unused nights could change someone’s life? What if your business could make a difference without costing you a thing?Ronda and I dive into what it means to lead with heart, the power of community, and how kindness can become your most valuable brand asset. Whether you manage five listings or five hundred, this conversation will shift how you think about success, impact, and contribution.#PurposeDrivenHospitality #ShortTermRentalImpact #KindnessIsStrategy📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Welcome & Season Wrap-Up with Ronda Amende 01:45 Ronda’s Role at TimeOut & Career Background 04:15 How Hospitality Has Shaped Her Leadership Style 08:30 Diversity, Inclusion & Representation in the Industry 13:50 Leading Through Change: Personal Reflections 17:25 The Power of Connection & Community 22:00 Words of Advice for Future Leaders 26:15 Reflections on the STRIVE Community & What’s Next 29:45 Final Thoughts & Season Farewell ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

🧱 Building It: Becoming a CEO When No One Hands You the Title 👔This week we go beyond scaling businesses and get into what it takes to lead them.Shaun Shirazian is the CEO of Lodgify, one of the top tech platforms for short-term rental hosts around the world. But his story did not start in boardrooms. It started in Dallas, raised by immigrant parents, learning to hustle, build, and reflect.In this episode Shaun shares what it really takes to become a CEO. We talk about impostor syndrome, asking for what you want, leading teams you used to be part of, and why clarity, not constant hustle, is the mindset shift that matters most.If you have ever wondered whether you are ready to lead, this one is for you.👇 Watch the episode and subscribe for more from the Building It series.SHOW LINKS:🔗 Lodgify – https://www.lodgify.com🔗 Shaun Shirazian – https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaunshiraz/#BuildingItSeries #LeadershipMindset #UnderdogToCEO📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 – Intro: Shaun Shirazian, CEO of Lodgify 01:00 – Childhood roots: Dallas + immigrant resilience 02:30 – Dad’s small‑business lessons & underdog mindset 05:00 – Reflection & purpose: How Shaun found his “why” 07:00 – First career pivot: P&G brand‑management discovery 09:30 – Finding the underdog niche: Intuit & Pipedrive 12:30 – Product mindset: Leading through innovation 15:00 – Transitioning from product leader to CEO mindset 17:30 – Design thinking: Empathy, ideation, experimentation 20:00 – People leadership: From expert to manager 22:30 – Future‑back leadership: Coaching team growth 25:00 – Becoming CEO: Self‑awareness & vocal ambition 27:30 – CEO search: Network, clarity & seizing opportunity 30:00 – Leading Lodgify: Early host conversations 32:00 – What’s constant? Focus: owner needs, admin pain points 34:00 – Q&A: Shaun’s ongoing mission & invitation 36:00 – Final thoughts: Using platform to level the field 38:00 – Wrap‑up & next steps ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

In this episode, I’m chatting with Simon Sechusi, co-founder of SuiteOp. Simon’s journey from a 400-unit property management business to raising $3M for his new platform is filled with insights and real talk about what it takes to scale in the accommodation space.🏠 We dive into:How he grew SoSuite from a single listing in Philly to 400+ units.Why master leases worked — and didn’t — in his market.The decision to build their own tech in-house (and how that pivoted their business).The realities of raising $3M (not just the headlines — the real story).Key lessons on risk, scaling, and how to know when it’s time to rethink your ops.💡 If you’re running a hotel, short-term rental business, or thinking about expanding, this one’s for you.👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on how to build, scale, and stay ahead in the accommodation industry.🔗 Show Links:SuiteOp: https://www.suiteop.com/Simon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-sechusi/#TheAccommodationShow #BuildingIt #SuiteOp📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Introduction to Simon Seroussi and SweetOp00:00 Kicking It Off02:00 From France to Philly05:00 Hitting 400 Listings (and a Wall!)07:00 Flipping the Model10:00 COVID Shakeup & Building In-House14:00 The Secret Sauce: SweetOp18:00 Raising $3 Million26:00 Investors, Partners & The Big Lessons31:00 Dreaming Big & What’s Next33:00 Final Wrap-Up▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

We’re back with another instalment of Building It, where we dive in with founders who didn’t just dream big, they built big. This time, I’ve got Marcus Rader, co-founder and CEO of Hostaway, sharing how he turned a scrappy start-up into a global powerhouse PMS for the short-term rental world. If you’re curious about what it takes to go from zero to a near-unicorn (and do it without losing your mind or soul), this one’s for you.In this episode, Marcus shares the mindset that’s powered Hostaway’s growth, less about shiny marketing campaigns and more about solving real problems for real people. He explains why focusing on your guests’ needs is the surest way to win, and how you can apply these lessons to your own accommodation business. We also dig into the challenges of raising capital, scaling smart, and how to balance ambition with the daily grind. You’ll walk away with fresh ideas and the confidence to think bigger, no matter what stage you’re at.SHOW LINKS:Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/The Accommodation Show: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com/#BuildingIt #ThinkBig #AccommodationGrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:Chapters00:00 Introduction & Catching Up with Marcus 01:01 The Growth Story of Hostaway 05:02 Passion vs Profit: What Really Builds a Business 07:02 Money Talks: The Reality Behind Startup Finances 09:47 What Success Really Looks Like in Business 12:42 Timing & Luck: The Hidden Forces Behind Success 15:38 Startup Truths: Challenges, Burnout & Sacrifice 20:08 Think Bigger: How to Become a Market Leader 24:15 From Scarcity to Scale: The Market Leader Mindset 29:52 Sales First: Why Talking to Customers Beats Planning 32:45 Raising Capital: Lessons from $540 Million in Funding 38:11 Choosing the Right Investor: Deal Breakers & Red Flags 44:27 The Power of Learning: How Marcus Prepped for a Mega Round 51:53 Proving Value: Raising $365M to Become #1 58:48 Growth Comes from Discomfort: Embrace the Hard Questions ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

We’re continuing our brand new segment: ‘Building It’, where I sit down with trailblasing founders in the accommodation space to unpack exactly how they built their businesses from the ground up. It’s not about fluffy success stories. It’s about the grit, the strategy, the setbacks—and the steps that actually worked.This week’s episode takes us deep into Southeast Asia with Daniel Rouquette, co-founder of Villa Finder, one of the leading OTA and property management businesses operating across six countries, with over $10M in bookings annually and 30,000+ nights booked last year alone. Daniel and his team have built a powerhouse brand that thrives on guest experience, owner trust, and raw, data-driven decision-making.Whether you’re running a small holiday let, scaling a STR brand, or just curious how the biggest players got there, this episode is packed with real lessons you can use. Daniel breaks down how they tackled one of the hardest models in our industry, building a double-sided marketplace (think Airbnb before Airbnb took over). He shares how they signed their first 200 villas on a scooter in Bali, managed availability manually (yes, really), and built tools in-house to fix problems others didn’t see coming.There’s a lot here for you—whether you’re trying to build trust with guests, get repeat bookings, or decide where to put your time and money as you grow. And if you’ve ever thought about launching a platform or expanding your PM business, this is a must-listen.SHOW LINKS Villa Finder – https://www.villafinder.com#scaleyourbrand #hospitalitystrategy #guestfirstgrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Building It Begins: Meet Daniel from Villa Finder 01:00 From Backpack to Business: Starting Up in Bali 03:30 What Is Villa Finder & How Big Is It Today? 06:00 Hustling in the Heat: Scooters, Sign-Ups & Sweat 08:30 The Guest Trust Gap: Solving the Real Problem 10:00 From OTA to Property Management: The Natural Pivot 15:30 The Tool That Changed Everything: Inter & Availability 20:00 The Data-Driven Mindset That Scaled the Brand 34:15 Daniel’s Biggest Lessons on Leadership & Growth ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

This week marks the launch of a brand new segment we are calling ‘Building It’, where we dive into how founders in the accommodation space built their businesses from the ground up. It’s about the work, the grit, the strategies, and the pivots that helped them scale and grow into the most successful companies nationally and accross the world.In these episodes, you’ll get insights that are rarely shared, but incredibly valuable for your own journey.To kick things off, I spoke with someone who’s built one of the largest short-term rental brands in Australia. What started with two mates and a few cleans has grown into a company managing over 2,200 properties, operating across every state and territory, and overseeing $140 million in gross bookings annually. That business is Hometime, and its story is nothing short of remarkable.SHOW LINKS Hometime → https://www.hometime.io The Accommodation Show – https://www.theaccommodationshow.com#ScalingWithGrit #ShortTermRentalGrowth #HometimePlaybook📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Starting the Building It Series & Meet Billy Crock 01:10 From Cleaning Toilets to 2,200+ Properties 05:10 Scaling Challenges & Service Quality Trade-Offs 09:00 The Pivot: From Cleaning to Property Management 13:25 Old School Sales Tactics That Built the Business 17:45 COVID Reset: Going Local to Survive and Scale 22:30 Hosting Partner Model: Built for Growth 26:45 Raising Capital, Letting Go of Margin & Scaling Up 31:00 Final Lessons: Grit, Trust, and Long-Term Thinking ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Every operator – whether you're running a small guest house or a large vacation rental portfolio or hotel  – relies on technology to some degree. But few of us step back to assess whether all those moving parts are actually working together. In this episode, Shahar Goldboim and I pull back the curtain on the chaos that often hides behind the scenes.You’ll walk away from this conversation with a sharper understanding of how to get your business systems properly aligned, and why the future belongs to those who start thinking strategically about their tech investments. A better tech stack doesn’t just mean convenience – it means better guest experiences, higher profits, and easier scaling.SHOW LINKS:Boom Now: https://boomnow.comBoxBrownie SnapSnapSnap: https://www.boxbrownie.com/snap-snap-snapThe Accommodation Show: https://theaccommodationshow.com#Hashtags:#FutureofHospitality #TechStackOptimisation #BusinessInnovation📋 In this episode, we discuss:Chapters00:00 - Meet Shahar Goldboim: From Real Estate to Vacation Rental Tech Pioneer 02:22 - The Airbnb Experiment: How Fake Furniture Launched a Career 06:14 - Building Boom: Solving Pain Points in Property Management 09:29 - Tech Stack Decoded: Essential Tools for Vacation Rental Success 13:04 - Data Integration Crisis: Why Your Systems Aren't Talking 16:12 - Tech Stack Audit: When and How to Upgrade Your Systems 27:42 - The Learning Loop: Staying Ahead in a Changing Market 34:24 - Future-Proofing Your Business: AI and Next-Gen Solutions 37:10 - Connect with Shahar: Where to See Boom in Action▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button!  This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!  📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later:  https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

This week, I had the chance to sit down with someone who quite literally has their finger on the pulse of our industry. If you’ve ever wondered whether you're charging the right rates, when you should be adjusting pricing, or why bookings seem slow compared to your neighbour’s, this episode is for you. I’m talking to Jamie Lane from Airdna, and I genuinely think this could be one of our most practical and timely conversations to date.As someone running an accommodation business, you're constantly juggling revenue, guest satisfaction, and market conditions. But what if you could take the guesswork out of it? In this episode, we break down what the data is actually telling us—so you can make smarter decisions every single week. Jamie and I explore how market-wide trends affect your bookings, how to interpret occupancy and rate shifts, and what top-performing operators are doing differently.SHOW LINKS AirDNA - https://www.airdna.co STR Data Lab Podcast - https://www.airdna.co/podcast PriceLabs - https://www.pricelabs.co Beyond Pricing - https://www.beyondpricing.com#STRstrategy #AccommodationGrowth #DataDrivenDecisions📋 In this episode, we discuss:Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Jamie Lane and AirDNA 02:57 - Economist vs. Data Scientist: Key Differences Explained 04:17 - Economic Trends and Their Impact on Short-Term Rentals 06:47 - Changing Guest Behaviour: Families, Long Stays & More 11:34 - STR Supply Growth Trends in Australia and the US 14:21 - How ADR and Occupancy Trends Affect Your Business 16:31 - Weekly Actions Every Host Should Take 20:10 - Booking Lead Times, Reviews & Competitor Comparison 22:33 - Monthly & Quarterly Strategy for Market Analysis 27:17 - Most Hosts Leave Money on the Table—Here's Why 29:01 - Final Thoughts & How to Connect with Jamie Lane ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Sometimes, one small change can have a huge impact on your business.In the penultimate mini episode of The Accommodation Show, I sat down with Julie George, author of Million Dollar Host, to talk about one simple yet brilliant tip that can help you stand out in 2025. This isn’t about big budgets or major renovations—it’s about creating a memorable guest experience that drives better reviews, more repeat bookings, and higher revenue.If you're looking for a fresh idea to kickstart your inspiration for the year ahead, this episode is for you.Julie shares a surprisingly simple way to surprise and delight your guests—something that keeps them engaged until the very last day of their stay and makes them want to book again.It’s the small details that make the biggest difference.SHOW LINKS:📌 Julie George’s Website – https://www.milliondollarhost.com.au#GuestExperience #SurpriseAndDelight #StandOut2025📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Introduction00:44 - Behind the Scenes at the Head State Conference00:51 - Biggest 2024 Takeaways for Accommodation Hosts01:30 - Surprise and Delight: Transforming Guest Experiences01:56 - The Genius Lockbox Idea That Guests Will Love03:20 - Wrapping Up: Final Insights▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What makes guests choose one property over another?Is it the price? The location? The number of bedrooms? While all of those factors matter, the reality is your property needs to stand out from the moment a guest lays eyes on it, whether that’s on an OTA, your website, or social media.This episode is part of my special mini-series where I sit down with top industry professionals and ask them:“What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”With competition heating up and guest expectations rising, it’s no longer enough to simply list your property and hope for the best. You need to make strategic updates to ensure your property gets seen, booked, and remembered.I sat down with Craig Westaway from BNB Booking, a short-term rental legend who manages some of Australia’s most sought-after high-end properties. Craig has built a business around delivering an exceptional guest experience—one that drives repeat bookings and higher nightly rates.Craig’s answer?Optimisation is …SHOW LINKS:📌 BNB Booking Website – https://bnbbooking.com.au📌 Follow Craig on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-westaway#ListingOptimisation #GuestExperience #MoreBookings2025📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:31 Overview of B&B Booking01:24 Challenges in Short-Term Rentals02:29 Importance of Quality and Experience05:48 Tips for 2025 and Listing Optimization09:50 Conclusion and Contact Information▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Regulation. A rule or directive made and maintained by an authorityThe act of controlling or maintaining something according to a system or standardRegulation often sparks fear in our industry, but what if it could also bring legitimacy, stability, and long-term success?This season on The Accommodation Show, I’ve been sitting down with industry leaders to ask one simple but powerful question: “What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”For many property managers, regulation is the elephant in the room; it’s unpredictable, ever-changing, and, let’s be honest, a little terrifying. The uncertainty around new rules can make it hard to plan ahead, and some hosts are worried about how these changes will affect their business.That’s why, in this episode, I spoke with Eacham Curry, Senior Director of Government & Corporate Affairs at Expedia Group, to uncover his top tip for 2025.SHOW LINKS:Expedia Group: https://www.expedia.com/ #FutureProofYourRental#RegulationInsights#AccommodationGrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Meet Eacham Curry: Role and Expertise01:13 Why Regulation Matters for Short-Term Rentals03:11 Understanding the Current Regulatory Landscape05:53 How to Engage with Local Councils on Regulation08:53 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What separates businesses that thrive from those that merely survive? It’s often the ability to adapt, evolve, and make informed decisions based on insights, not guesswork.This week, I’m thrilled to feature Sally Henry, VP of Business Development at Key Data. With over two decades of experience in the vacation rental space, Sally has helped property managers navigate market changes and achieve sustainable growth.What’s Sally’s #1 tip for 2025?SHOW LINKSKey Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/#PropertyManagementTips #ShortTermRentals #AccommodationSuccess📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Introduction01:16 - Accommodation Industry Insights from an Expert03:14 - Transforming Short-Term Rentals04:40 - Top Property Management Tips for Success08:47 - Optimising Channel Distribution for Better Results09:41 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Sally Henry▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

This season, I’ve been on a mission to bring you insights straight from the leaders shaping our industry. Not only do I want their thoughts, these are the people I want you to get to know. We are into next live mini-episode - The theme? “What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?” It’s the question I’ve been asking each guest, to help you uncover strategies, fresh perspectives, and actionable advice you can apply to your business. Last week I had a great chat with Justin Ford about the power of safety in marketing, and this week we are moving onto dynamic pricing and revenue management. In this episode, I sit down with Oliver Stern from Wheelhouse, recorded live at the Here to Stay Conference. We dive into the evolving landscape of revenue management, why Australia and New Zealand are experiencing a tech renaissance, and how you can future-proof your business in the face of market shifts. But what is Olivers number #1 tip? Oliver’s insights are especially valuable if you’re looking to fine-tune your revenue strategy or if you’ve ever wondered how dynamic pricing can be more than just “set and forget.” His approach goes beyond the basics, offering practical advice for property managers of all sizes. Oliver Stern has been instrumental in helping accommodation providers globally maximise their revenue. As the head of global growth at Wheelhouse, he’s worked with property operators of all sizes to implement effective pricing strategies. His journey from housekeeping to leading a major tech company shows just how passionate he is about the industry. Oliver Stern is a digital nomad and STR enthusiast leading global growth for Wheelhouse. Over his three years with the company, he has developed deep roots in the vacation and short-term rental industry, helping operators with 50 to 3,000+ listings boost their revenue and growth. 🎧 Tune in now to learn Oliver’s top tip for 2025—and how you can apply it to your business. Got questions after listening? Hit reply—I’d love to hear your thoughts or discuss how you can apply these strategies to your business. Here’s to smarter pricing and stronger growth in 2025! 🚀! #DynamicPricing #RevenueManagement #AccommodationBusiness 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 – Introduction 00:45 – What is Wheelhouse? 01:48 – Industry Trends: The Tech Adoption Renaissance 03:59 – Challenges Property Managers Face Today 07:16 – Dynamic Pricing Tips to Grow Your Occupancy 09:48 – Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Welcome back to The Accommodation Show! In this season of The Accommodation Show, I wanted to ask a simple but powerful question to the experts I meet when travelling to conferences around the world: What’s the #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025? Their answers might surprise you, challenge you, and most importantly, inspire you to take action and future-proof your business. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be bringing you these insights, straight from the source, so you can apply them and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. So this week, I’m diving into a topic that often takes a back seat in our marketing efforts; safety. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that safety isn't just a necessity, it's can also be a powerful marketing tool that can set your accommodation business apart. Many accommodation providers focus on aesthetics, amenities, and guest experience but often overlook the fundamental aspect that truly matters to guests: feeling safe and secure. In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ford, an industry leader in short-term rental safety, to uncover how prioritising safety can actually drive more bookings and create a better guest experience. SHOW LINKS: Breezeway - https://www.breezeway.io Justin Ford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ford-62492a47 #ShortTermRentalSuccess #STRsafety #MarketingYourProperty 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - Introduction and welcome 00:22 - My journey through global accommodation conferences 00:51 - Speaking with industry leaders and sharing insights 01:15 - Why safety is a key focus for 2025 02:05 - Introducing Justin Ford and his expertise in STR safety 03:20 - How marketing safety can boost your bookings 04:45 - Addressing common guest safety concerns 06:10 - Practical safety tips you can implement now 07:35 - The financial benefits of prioritising safety 09:00 - Leveraging safety in your branding and communication 10:30 - How to anticipate guest behaviour and prevent incidents 12:00 - Final thoughts and how to stay connected with Justin ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe! Last year, I had the pleasure of once again attending VRMA, the world's largest STR conference. This event is attended by hundreds of people, from tech vendors to property managers, to homeowners and everything in between. This is a place where you get inspired about your own business, where you learn from the best, but most importantly you get to meet the people behind the companies. At this year's VRMA I had the pleasure of being introduced to Bart-Jan Leyts and boy was it worth it. Oh, and this is the first time I have ever interviewed someone with the same name as me 🤭 Today I get to share with you tips on how to get your business to rank number 1 on an OTA. Be it booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia or any of the others, Bart shares his insights, which you will love. Things have changed over the last 12-24 months. If you watched last week's episode where I talk about trends, you will know that the competitors have stepped up the game and being listed on an OTA isn’t enough, you need to be listed at the top. Ranking number one on an OTA can dramatically impact your bookings, revenue, and guest reach. With ever-increasing competition, getting your strategy right is essential. What you will learn from this episode: How OTA ranking algorithms work and why they matter 🔍 The top five factors that influence your listing's visibility 💡 Why updating your listings regularly drives momentum 📚 The impact of photos and descriptions on guest engagement 📷 How to balance your distribution strategy across multiple OTAs 🌎 SHOW LINKS Otamiser: https://www.otamiser.com Hashtags #HospitalityTips #BoostBookings #OTAOptimisation #IncreaseRevenue 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 Introduction to Bart Jan Leit and Otamiser 05:46 Why Guest Experience Affects OTA Rankings 12:07 Availability and Pricing: Key Factors for Visibility 18:07 How to Use Keywords and Tags Effectively 24:01 Mastering Dynamic Pricing and Seasonal Adjustments 29:55 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe! In today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome back Peter Syme, a true thought leader who has kept his finger on the pulse of AI’s evolution. Together, we’ll dive into what lies ahead, exploring the strategies and insights that can help you harness this technology not just now, but for the long term. We cover why AI is more than just a buzzword; it’s a practical tool that can help you scale your business, reduce inefficiencies, and better serve your guests. From leveraging AI agents to enhancing your booking process, the strategies we discuss are designed to make your business more agile and profitable in an increasingly competitive market. Peter brings his wealth of knowledge to the table (he really is a legend of the tourism industry), offering insights that are not only thought-provoking but immediately actionable. We discuss everything from training your staff to use AI effectively to the ways it can enhance the guest journey without losing the human touch. SHOW LINKS Peter Syme Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersyme/ Tourpreneur Community: https://tourpreneur.com/ Hashtags: #HospitalityInnovation #AIInAccommodation #TransformYourBusiness 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 The Passion for Travel and Hospitality 05:13 How AI is Shaping the Hospitality Industry 10:13 Tactical vs. Strategic AI: What's the Difference? 17:59 AI Agents: Redefining the Customer Journey 22:11 Scaling Tourism Businesses with AI 29:23 The Role of AI in Travel Planning 41:13 The Paradigm Shift: The Future of AI ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

I’ve got a real treat for you this week. Have you ever wondered how to take your accommodation business from good to great? Or how to make those initial steps in property management easier, smarter, and more impactful? This week’s episode dives into just that. I sat down with Margot Schmorak, CEO of Hostfully, and trust me, her insights are worth every second. From starting out as a small business to working with thousands of property managers, Margot’s journey is a masterclass in scaling your business with purpose and strategy. 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - Intro: Meet Margot Schmorak 01:00 - Starting Hostfully: A Bay Area Startup Story 04:30 - The Evolution of Guidebooks and PMS Tools 07:00 - Getting Started in Property Management 10:00 - Building a Guest-Centric Business 14:00 - Why Distribution Strategy Matters 17:30 - Automating Guest Communications 22:00 - Leveraging Community Relationships 25:00 - Integrating Tech Tools for Growth 30:00 - Advice for Property Managers in 2024 33:00 - Closing Thoughts & Contact Info ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Technology is revolutionising the way we manage accommodations, but with so many property management systems available, how do you choose the one that’s right for you? This week, I’m diving into the highlights from VRMA’s Property Management Software Showdown, where we explored what’s shaping the future of property management technology. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve and run your business more effectively, you’re in for a treat. We’re unpacking the story behind one of VRMA’s most talked-about sessions: the Property Management Software Showdown, brought to life by Kathleen Fitzpatrick, Alisa Justice, and Linda Sikes. These industry pros didn’t just attend the panel—they built it from the ground up, tackling the daunting task of comparing software for the benefit of property managers everywhere. SHOW LINKS: Switchback Email: https://switchbackemail.com/ Silicon Travel: https://www.silicontravel.com/ #VacationRentalSoftware #AccommodationTech #VRMAInsights 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 Introduction to the Panel Discussion 00:25 Guests Introduce Themselves 02:47 Backgrounds of the Guests 05:03 Early Challenges in the Vacation Rental Industry 05:59 The Concept of the Software Showdown 07:16 The Importance of Narrowing Down Software Choices 09:09 The Structure and Format of the Session 10:45 How the Theme of the Session Came Together 11:56 Engagement and Participation from Software Companies 13:40 Marketing the Session and Creating Buzz 15:05 Challenges in Data Gathering 17:15 Insights on Software Companies’ Presentations 17:58 Key Takeaways from the Session 20:20 Audience Questions and Interaction 22:15 What Property Managers Need to Know About Software Choices 24:30 Reflections on the Benefits to Software Companies 27:45 Future Plans for VRMA Las Vegas 30:20 Ongoing Challenges in the Property Management Software Space 32:15 Final Thoughts from the Guests 34:15 Closing and Call to Action ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Four years in the making—this episode is a milestone for me. In this special episode of The Accommodation Show, I sit down with Amiad Soto, co-founder of Guesty, the world’s leading property management software. But this isn’t just about Guesty’s success. I wanted to get personal: What drives Amiad? How does he make decisions as a leader? And what lessons has he learned that can help you grow your business? Whether you’re running a B&B or scaling a global operation, this episode is packed with actionable insights on solving customer pain points, leveraging AI, and becoming a better leader. Take a listen—it’s more than an interview, it’s a toolkit for success in accommodation. SHOW LINKS: Guesty: https://www.guesty.com Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com Guesty Price Optimiser: https://www.guesty.com/price-optimizer #HospitalityInnovation #ScalingWithTech #GuestExperience 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 Introduction to Guesty and Amir Soto's Journey 03:06 – How Guesty Was Born: Identifying a Need 05:47 – Guesty’s Growth: Overcoming Early Challenges 09:07 – Adapting to the Market: Pivoting & Scaling Successfully 12:07 – Future Vision: Guesty’s IPO and Global Expansion 15:05 – The Power of Product Focus: Why It Matters 18:04 – Leadership and Success in Tech 21:46 – Mastering Product Development: Prioritising What Counts 24:06 – Building a Strong Business: Personal Growth & Leadership 27:03 – Why Collaboration is Key in the Property Management Industry 31:58 – AI in Property Management: A Game Changer 38:01 – Preparing for IPO: Strategies for Long-Term Growth ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

In this episode, we talk about the myths around buying a business and arm you with the insights, strategies, and inspiration to take the leap; regardless of your starting point.  While acquiring a short-term rental business is no small task, it's a strategic choice that can dramatically accelerate your business growth. Organic expansion often requires significant time and effort to build properties, clientele, and market presence. In contrast, the acquisition provides immediate scale, adding established properties and revenue to your portfolio overnight. But can anyone do it? SHOW LINKS: The Cohost company: https://www.thecohostcompany.com/ #STRBusiness #VacationRentals #PropertyManagement 📋 In this episode, we discuss: 00:00 - Introduction 02:46 - VRMA Conference Insights 05:05 - Starting the Acquisition Journey 11:02 - Business Acquisitions Basics 24:32 - The Acquisition Process 32:44 - Finding Opportunities Through Networking ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬  🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊  Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?  The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.  🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Don't forget to hit that subscribe button!  This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free! ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!   📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/ 🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity 🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/ 🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later:  https://www.theaccommodationshow.com ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence. Affiliate Disclaimer:  This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.  This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.  If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.