STR Global Unlocked with Simon Lehmann: Unfiltered knowledge for the short term rental industry

Marketplaces were built to aggregate supply. Not to own it. That assumption is breaking faster than most operators expected.Dr. Patrick Andrae is the Co-Founder and CEO of HomeToGo, one of the world’s leading vacation rental marketplaces, aggregating millions of listings across platforms and property managers. Since founding the company, he has expanded it into software, services, and property management, including the acquisition of Interhome, one of Europe’s largest rental operators. The combined group generates nearly $400 million in revenue, with more than 60% coming from its B2B segment, and over 200,000 properties connected through software and services.This is not a conversation about marketplace growth. It is a breakdown of what changes when platforms move closer to supply, and how that reshapes control, margins, and competitive advantage.In this conversation, we discuss:Why owning supply is no longer seen as a margin tradeoff, and what changes when platforms move closer to operations and the last mileHow HomeToGo’s shift from marketplace to B2B changes where value is captured, and why that redefines the role of distribution platformsWhat most operators underestimate about direct bookings, and why having traffic does not translate into control without conversion infrastructureHow AI is changing travel discovery behavior, and why vacation rentals present a fundamentally harder decision layer than flights or hotelsWhy Europe’s fragmented supply remains largely unconsolidated, and what that reveals about the limits of traditional marketplace-driven growthWhat changes when a company operates across marketplace, software, and services, and how that creates optionality in uncertain distribution environmentsResources and links:Connect with Dr. Patrick Andrae on LinkedIn and learn more about HomeToGo.-Podcast supported by PiklPikl brings insurance-enabled flexible cancellation and new revenue models together for short-term rental operators. 👉 Get started with Pikl here  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Short-term rentals and hotels are converging into a single operating model.The real shift is not about category. It is about who can deliver better economics, better experience, and better scalability in urban markets.In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Christian Gaiser to break down how Numa built a hybrid model between short-term rentals and hotels, and why that model is gaining traction as the industry matures.Christian Gaiser is the CEO and Co-Founder of Numa, one of Europe’s fastest-growing urban hospitality platforms. With a background in building digital platforms and scaling operations, he brings a product and technology mindset into a traditionally fragmented industry. At Numa, he has led the development of a tech-driven, asset-light model designed to operate across cities with high efficiency and consistency.This conversation moves beyond the STR vs hotel debate and focuses on operating models, automation, distribution strategy, regulation, and how technology is reshaping both supply and demand in hospitality.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Numa was built around three structural gaps in hospitality, demand outpacing supply, fragmented assets, and a lack of technology across operations.How the “third model” combines short-term rentals, hotels, and serviced apartments into a single system driven by guest use cases rather than categories.Why capital efficiency and financial discipline became a competitive advantage after the collapse of overfunded STR models.How Numa captures both short and long stay demand while maintaining lower costs through density, standardized units, and lean operations.Why building more than 100 internal tools became central to improving reviews, reducing costs, and scaling operations.How labor shortages, including a projected 8 million workforce gap in Germany, are forcing operators to rethink staffing and automation.Why AI will reshape both operations and demand, increasing travel activity and changing how supply is discovered and consumed.Explore more:Connect with Christian Gaiser [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiangaiser/] to learn more about Numa [https://numastays.com/] -Podcast supported by PricelabsPriceLabs brings automated pricing and market intelligence together in one platform trusted by property managers at scale. 👉 Get started with Pricelabs here: https://shorturl.at/wvKTa ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Hector Hughes, Co-Founder & CEO of Unplugged, a UK-based cabin brand built entirely around one conviction: that spending three days offline in nature changes people.Founded in 2020, Unplugged operates a portfolio of off-grid cabins across the UK, runs a direct-only booking model with a mandatory three-night minimum, and has never listed a single property on an OTA. The company is on track to reach profitability and generates a 40 to 45% return on capital per cabin.This conversation examines what happens when brand conviction becomes the only distribution strategy and whether that is a ceiling or a compounding advantage.In this conversation, we discuss:Why going direct-only was never a revenue decision, and how removing OTAs as an option forced Unplugged to build brand and community muscles most STR operators never have to developHow the three-night minimum, a deliberate friction point in a market averaging 1.8 nights, became one of Unplugged's most defensible product choices.Why direct bookings only work at scale if you are remarkable enough to stay front of mind and how Unplugged engineers word-of-mouth as a core growth mechanism.How Unplugged's movable cabin model redefines the unit economics and risk profile of STR supply expansion.What the tension between venture time horizons and brand compounding reveals about the type of capital Unplugged needs, and why most funds are structurally the wrong fit.What the rise of AI-driven distribution means for experiential hospitality brands that don't live on OTAs, and why being genuinely remarkable is no longer optional.Explore more:Connect with Hector Hughes on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hector-hughes-10082195/ to learn more about Unplugged https://unplugged.rest/-Podcast supported by BreezewayBuilt around the work that happens behind the scenes, Breezeway coordinates the operational service touchpoints that define guest experience. Their focus on execution and standards aligns with a core insight from this conversation: growth only works when operations can keep up. 👉 Get started with Breezeway here: https://shorturl.at/moW7U ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

How did short-term rentals become a strategic priority for one of the world’s largest hotel companies?Short-term rentals now represent more than 14% of global lodging supply. When one of the world's largest hotel companies builds a platform inside that category, it is not a trend play. It is a structural decision about where hospitality is going.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann sits down with Chris Stephenson, Vice President of Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, the home rental platform embedded inside one of the world's most powerful loyalty programs, with over 270 million members and over 200,000 homes across global markets. Chris joined Marriott 11 years ago through its global operations innovation team and has led Homes and Villas from its pilot launch in 2019 to its current scale across EMEA, the Americas, and Asia Pacific.This is not a story about a hotel company taking on Airbnb. It is a ground-level account of what it actually takes to build a quality-first vacation rental business inside an institutional framework, and why that constraint turned out to be a competitive advantage.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Marriott entered the home rental category not to compete with Airbnb but to close a loyalty gap.How Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy selects inventory.What 96% of guests being Bonvoy members signals about behavioral fluidity, and how Marriott captures share of wallet across an entire trip rather than a single stay.Why Marriott built a completely independent tech stack, and now uses it as a learning lab for AI-powered natural language search across the wider enterprise.How the onboarding process went from three to four months to an average of four weeks, and why it will never be a one-click upload by design.Where Marriott sees the next wave of STR demand emerging.Explore more:Connect with Chris Stephenson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisstephenson/ to learn more about Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy: https://homes-and-villas.marriott.com Podcast supported by eviivoeviivo Suite brings booking management, payments, automation, and OTA connectivity together in one platform used by 28,000 accommodation providers.👉 Exclusive 50% off the first 6 months for STR Global Unlocked listeners who book a free demo: https://tinyurl.com/eviivo-strgu ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

European vacation rental is not short on platforms. It is short on platforms that have survived every cycle and kept building anyway.Johannes Siebers is the Co-Founder and CEO of Holidu, a vacation rental technology company he co-founded with his brother Michael in 2014. Over the past decade, Holidu has raised approximately $200 million in equity funding, grown its host-side business 50 times between 2020 and 2025, and built a portfolio of 60k properties across seven European countries.What distinguishes Holidu from classical OTAs is its software-plus-service model: a property management system paired with on-the-ground onboarding, professional photography, dynamic pricing, and 28 local teams that build trust with homeowners face to face. This is a real approach to what it takes to build a resilient marketplace business when the market punishes everyone who optimized for speed over substance.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Johannes believes every company must become an AI company, and what the real differentiators are today.How Holidu's pivot from marketplace to software-plus-service model unlocked a segment of the European RBO market that larger software players consistently ignored.What COVID forced Holidu to do differently, and why the extra eighteen months of product discipline before scaling was, in Johannes' words, a gift.Why 20 to 25% of Holidu's current properties had never been rented before, and what removing friction, rather than adding distribution, actually unlocks in the supply equation.How Johannes and his brother Michael divided responsibility, built complementary roles, and sustained a co-founder relationship across more than a decade of hypergrowth and volatility.What investors looked for in 2016 versus 2026, and why robust unit economics and capital discipline were always part of Holidu's DNA, not a response to market pressure.Why brand will matter more, not less, as AI reshapes search and discovery, and why delivering on the promise is the only way to earn it.Explore more:Connect with Johannes Siebers on LinkedIn and learn more about Holidu.-Podcast supported by PiklPikl brings insurance-enabled flexible cancellation and new revenue models together for short-term rental operators. 👉 Get started with Pikl here ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Venture capital is not ignoring travel tech. It is underwriting to a different standard. And most founders building in hospitality right now do not fully understand what that standard is.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann sits down with Chris Hemmeter, Managing Director at Thayer Ventures, one of the most active institutional investors across travel and hospitality technology, backed by limited partners including Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton, Capital One, and Host Hotels. Chris and his team have guided capital through the rise, expansion, and reset of the category. Across multiple market cycles, he has seen what it takes to build a venture-scalable business when the rules change.This is not a conversation about whether the STR category has a future. It is a field-level assessment of why institutional capital moved away from it, what would need to change for it to return, and what every founder building in this space is getting wrong about the capital markets around them.In this conversation, we discuss:What the massive compression in public SaaS valuations actually signals for travel tech, and why AI is powering up incumbentsHow the pandemic and AI together delivered a one-two punch that is pushing travel tech (analogy to the post-dot-com era)What the STR industry fundamentally missed that turned the category into a pariah for generalist venture investorsWhy product is no longer the defensible moat, and what Hemmeter identifies as the only true competitive advantage leftWhy a $35 million exit is a life-changing outcome for a founder but a failure for a venture capitalistExplore more:Connect with Chris Hemmeter on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhemmeter]. Learn more about Thayer Ventures: https://www.thayerinvestmentpartners.com Podcast supported by BreezewayBuilt around the work that happens behind the scenes, Breezeway coordinates the operational service touchpoints that define guest experience. Their focus on execution and standards aligns with a core insight from this conversation: growth only works when operations can keep up. 👉 Get started with Breezeway here: https://shorturl.at/moW7U ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Nobody calls a property manager "a software company." Arbio is replacing the traditional tech stack with a single AI system designed to run operations end to end.Constantin Schröder is the Co-Founder and CEO of Arbio, one of Europe's fastest-growing short-term rental operators, managing over 1,500 units across Germany and Austria. Under his leadership, Arbio has positioned itself not as a tech-enabled property manager, but as an AI-native one, building a single AI reasoning engine that replaces the fragmented SaaS stack most operators are still held together by. The company recently closed a $36 million Series A to accelerate that vision.This is not a conversation about chatbots and pricing tools. It is a ground-level look at what it actually takes to rebuild property management infrastructure from the inside out, and what breaks when you try.In this conversation, we discuss:Why the distinction between "AI-enabled" and "AI-native" is not semantic, and what it means for how an STR business is structured.How Arbio built one operating system that handles guest communication, operational ticketing, owner transparency, and service provider dispatch, and why that architecture is the real moat.What actually breaks when you scale, and what those failures revealed about the limits of legacy property management tools and traditional operator playbooks.Why investors backed Arbio's $36 million Series A on technology defensibility and unit economics rather than growth-at-all-costs narratives, and what that signals for the next wave of STR capital.How Arbio turned urban regulation into a competitive advantage, and why leisure and alpine markets are the next strategic move.Whether AI will eventually displace OTAs, and what it would take to build a booking experience that actually competes with Airbnb's.Explore more:Connect with Constantin Schröder on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/constantin-schröder-370785150/Learn more about Arbio: https://www.arbio.comPodcast supported by eviivoeviivo Suite brings booking management, payments, automation, and OTA connectivity together in one platform used by 28,000 accommodation providers.👉 Exclusive 50% off the first 6 months for STR Global Unlocked listeners who book a free demo: https://tinyurl.com/eviivo-strgu ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

The biggest disruption coming to short-term rentals is not regulation, supply growth, or capital compression. It is distribution itself.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann sits down with Shaun Stewart, VP of Open Distribution at StubHub and one of the most consequential behind-the-scenes figures in the history of modern travel infrastructure. Shaun spent 8 years at Expedia building the early supply networks that made online hotel booking possible, 2 years as Global Head of Vacation Rentals at Airbnb where he helped make instant booking a reality in a category that had never transacted live.He has watched distribution power get created, consolidated and disrupted across multiple industries.  This is not just a conversation about tactics. It is also a structural argument for why everything STR operators assumed about distribution is about to be renegotiated.In this conversation, we discuss:How a chance encounter on a flight in the 1960s between two executives named Smith gave birth to Sabre, the GDS, and the entire modern travel distribution infrastructure.Why the moment Airbnb pushed vacation rentals into live inventory transactions was the most important and most resisted shift in the history of the category.How AI is replacing Google as the top of funnel and what happens when ChatGPT and Gemini start taking commercial deals from OTAs to influence what they recommendWhy owning and controlling your own inventory source of truth is more strategically important today than it has ever been.How a Boca Raton property manager with a dozen homes built a suite of AI agents to run his books, staffing, and operations.Why the Uber vs Waymo cost structure is the warning sign for STR operators who have not modernized yet.Why Shaun admits he would have bailed on Airbnb long before it became Airbnb, what the Sonder S1 got wrong about direct booking, and which single infrastructure layer he would own if he could only pick oneExplore more:Connect with Shaun Stewart on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-stewart-07b47b1/] and learn more about StubHub [https://www.stubhub.com]Podcast supported by PricelabsPriceLabs brings automated pricing and market intelligence together in one platform trusted by property managers at scale. 👉 Get started with Pricelabs here: https://shorturl.at/wvKTa ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Is short-term rental growth a volume game, or is quality becoming the real competitive advantage?In a market flooded with inventory, inconsistent standards, and increasing AI-driven discovery, Christian Schwarz Lausten argues that the future of STR belongs to curated supply, disciplined execution, and brand-led trust. After selling his previous company to Airbnb, Christian returned with a deliberate strategy: say no to scale for scale’s sake and build something designed to last.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann speaks with Christian Schwarz Lausten, Founder and CEO of Landfolk, about what he learned inside Airbnb, why uncontrolled expansion dilutes trust, and how a premium positioning paired with proprietary technology creates resilience in an AI-fragmented future.This is not a marketplace story about growth at all costs. It is a conversation about discipline, capital efficiency, culture, and why quality and trust are becoming structurally linked in short-term rentals.In this conversation, we discuss:Why saying “no” to inventory is the foundation of curation and how controlled supply strengthens trust.What Christian learned inside Airbnb about data discipline, global brand building, and marketplace expansion.The $21B European premium segment opportunity and how “affordable luxury” differs from both mass market and ultra-luxury STR.How AI is reshaping search, authenticity, and guest expectations, and why quality becomes the anchor of trust in a synthetic content world.Why owning direct homeowner relationships and achieving 70 percent direct bookings creates resilience in a fragmented distribution landscape.The balance between human onboarding and automation, including personally interviewing every homeowner while deploying AI for instant guest support.Why the next winners in STR will combine direct owner relationships, disciplined capital deployment, curated supply, and brand credibility in an AI-mediated future.Explore more:Connect with Christian Schwarz Lausten on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianschwarzlausten/] to learn more about Landfolk [https://landfolk.com/]-Podcast supported by PiklPikl brings insurance-enabled flexible cancellation and new revenue models together for short-term rental operators.👉 Get started with Pikl hereResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Short-term rentals disrupted hospitality by challenging one of its core assumptions: that consistency is the ultimate brand promise.But as Airbnb scaled globally, the real shift was not about standardization. It was about redefining what quality means at scale.In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Chip Conley to explore how the platform matured from scrappy disruptor to mainstream hospitality player.Chip Conley is a globally recognized thought leader, known for transforming boutique hospitality with Joie de Vivre Hospitality. His time at Airbnb as Head of Global Hospitality and Strategy was fundamental in professionalizing the platform. Furthermore, he is the founder of the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), a center for wisdom on leadership and life experience. His unique perspective unites the technological scale of Silicon Valley with the emotional architecture of hospitality.This conversation moves beyond platform narratives and focuses on guest psychology, incentive design, regulation, AI-driven distribution, and the tension between scale and soul in a fragmented STR industry.In this conversation, we discuss:Why the hotel industry misunderstood Airbnb’s early growth and how “more space for less money” and “living like a local” reshaped travel behavior.The difference between consistency and dependability, and why dependability can outperform rigid brand standards in short-term rentals.How Airbnb used the Superhost program and reviews as a quality mechanism instead of imposing strict operational standards.Why guest disappointment is driven by expectations minus reality, and how service recovery can create stronger loyalty than a flawless stay.How AI is reshaping travel distribution, threatening purely transactional intermediaries, and accelerating personalization.What maturity in short-term rentals really means, and why mainstream adoption depends on trust, dependability, and brand credibility.Why scale without soul erodes long-term loyalty, and how STR operators can build belonging in a fragmented market.Explore more:Connect with Chip Conley  [https://www.linkedin.com/in/chipconleysf/ - https://chipconley.com/] to learn more about Joie de Vivre and Modern Elder Academy [https://www.meawisdom.com/]_____________ STR Global Unlocked is supported by Breezeway.ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

As short-term rental moves from rapid expansion into a more disciplined phase, leadership quality becomes the differentiator.In fast-scaling STR businesses, execution rarely breaks because of strategy. It breaks under pressure, idea overload, unclear decision rights, and human blind spots.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann speaks with Gary Cohen, CEO coach and leadership advisor, about what actually changes in founders when complexity increases.They examine why scaling without documentation weakens execution, how ego and humility shape decision quality, and why many STR operators become the bottleneck in their own companies.The conversation also explores how leaders should think about AI, not as advanced search, but as a strategic thinking partner in an evolving discovery landscape.In this conversation, we discuss:Why short term rental leadership failures often begin with human behavior, not financial performance.How scaling STR companies must balance business systems, team dynamics, and executive self awareness.Where decisiveness becomes reactive decision making and how idea overload damages operational clarity.The relationship between ego, humility, and executive effectiveness in fast growing hospitality businesses.How AI is reshaping decision making, search visibility, and strategic leadership in short term rental.Resources and links:Connect with Gary Cohen on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/garycohen/] to learn more about CO2 Coaching [https://co2coaching.com].  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Luxury short-term rental has long been viewed as the most resilient segment of the STR industry.But resilience does not mean immunity.Rising interest rates, tighter capital, geopolitical instability, regulatory scrutiny, and growing operational costs are reshaping the landscape. Demand remains strong, yet it is more selective, more price-sensitive, and less forgiving than in previous cycles.In this special roundtable episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann convenes four global founders and CEOs operating at the forefront of luxury short-term rentals across Europe, Asia, and the United States:Maxime Friess, Founder & CEO, Emerald StayMax Aniort, Founder & CEO, Le CollectionistStephanie Chai, Founder & CEO, The Luxe NomadScott Wiseman, CEO, Nocturne Luxury VillasEach represents a distinct operating model and market dynamic within the high-end STR ecosystem.In this conversation, they explore with Simon Lehmann:Whether luxury demand is structurally resilient or simply slower to absorb macroeconomic pressureHow pricing has shifted from a revenue lever to a demand signal, and why overpricing can damage long-term competitivenessThe margin realities of high-touch hospitality, including staffing, fixed costs, and why operational discipline now outweighs topline growthWho truly owns the guest relationship in a fragmented distribution ecosystem, and what separates repeat bookings from genuine brand loyaltyHow regulation, insurance scrutiny, and safety standards are accelerating the professionalization of luxury STRWhether scale strengthens or dilutes luxury positioning, and what it takes to build a globally recognized luxury STR brandConnect with the panelists on LinkedIn:-   Maxime Friess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxime-friess/ -   Stephanie Chai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stchai/ -   Scott Wiseman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottfwiseman/-   Max Aniort: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxaniort/ ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Reviews are everywhere in hospitality, yet most operators still misunderstand what they actually represent. In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann sits down with Ben Jost, CEO of TrustYou, to unpack why guest feedback analytics, reputation management, trust, and experience intelligence are emerging as critical drivers of decision-making and long-term performance in hospitality and short-term rentals.Ben brings more than 15 years of experience working at the intersection of reputation management, data, and guest intelligence across global hospitality brands. While TrustYou’s roots are firmly in traditional hotels, the conversation repeatedly highlights how the same feedback dynamics apply to short-term rentals as the sector professionalizes and guest expectations increasingly mirror hotel standards.This discussion reframes reviews as strategic infrastructure rather than surface-level scores and shows how review data directly influences pricing strategy, revenue management, and conversion performance.The episode explores why operators who understand and act on feedback build stronger trust, clearer positioning, and more resilient businesses over time.In this conversation, we discuss:Why guest feedback functions as the quality management layer of modern experience intelligence.How small improvements in perceived quality directly influence pricing power, conversion, and long-term revenue performance.The disconnect between collecting reviews and acting on them, and how inaction weakens trust with guests over time.Why trust is created when expectations align with reality, not through brand alone, and how reviews shape that expectation.How consistency challenges in short-term rentals mirror hotel dynamics, and why operating without quality benchmarks creates structural risk.How AI will turn fragmented guest touchpoints into a continuous conversation, making feedback more timely, natural, and actionable across the guest journey.Learn moreConnect with Ben Jost on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamin-jost-7761643/]  to learn more about TrustYou [https://www.trustyou.com/]ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Some platforms optimize for growth. Others optimize for survival. Very few manage both.In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann sits down with Jon Gray, CEO of RVshare and former executive at HomeAway (now VRBO), for a grounded conversation on what actually makes marketplaces last.Jon has seen multiple cycles from the early days of short-term rentals, through the $3.9B sale of HomeAway to Expedia, to scaling the largest RV rental marketplace in the world. This is not a discussion about categories, labels, or hype. It is about discipline, tradeoffs, and building platforms that hold up when demand shifts.Throughout the conversation, Jon returns to one core idea. Marketplaces exist to remove friction and expand real choice. Everything else follows from that.In this conversation, we discuss:Why the true job of a marketplace is removing friction and delivering meaningful consumer choice, regardless of category.What felt uncertain in the early HomeAway days but later proved obvious, including instant booking and inventory neutrality.Why guests prioritize experience quality over who manages the inventory, and what that means for professional operators.How RVshare translated STR marketplace fundamentals into a higher-friction, mobile asset class.Why pushing supply sophistication faster than feels comfortable protects long-term experience and reputation.Why resilience, unit economics, and survivability matter more than valuation narratives during growth cycles.Resources and links:Connect with Jon Gray on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathangray/] to learn more about RVshare [https://rvshare.com/] ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann speaks with Fred Lerche-Lerchenborg, CEO of Lavanda, about how short-term rentals, mid-term stays, and multifamily are converging inside the same assets.This is not a tech pitch. It is a practical discussion on institutional real estate, operating risk, and why flexible living is becoming a core strategy for owners and investors.Fred breaks down why legacy long-term rental systems fail at daily pricing and mixed inventory, why lease-arbitrage collapsed at scale, and how investor psychology, cap rates, compliance, and risk transfer shape real decisions.The conversation also explores why Europe is moving faster than the US in flexible living, and what operators must get right before blending STR into multifamily creates value instead of backlash.In this conversation, we discuss:Why residential real estate systems were never designed for flexibility, and how changing living patterns are forcing new operating models.Where traditional PMS platforms fail when short-term, mid-term, and long-term stays coexist in the same building.Why institutional capital evaluates flexible living through asset value protection, not revenue upside alone.How lease arbitrage broke down at scale, and when selective leasing can still work for smaller STR operators.What flexible living unlocks for student housing, build-to-rent, and urban development in regulated markets.Why risk, liability, insurance, and guest vetting become non-negotiable when STR enters multifamily environments.Explore more:Connect with Fred Lerche-Lerchenborg on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-lerche-lerchenborg] to learn more about Lavanda [http://getlavanda.com]  ...Podcast supported by Breezeway.Breezeway brings operational workflows, service execution, and standards together in one platform for hospitality operators.👉 Get started with Breezeway here ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

The short-term rental industry is entering a more demanding phase. In 2026, performance will be defined by execution, discipline, and decision-making under pressure.In this solo episode, Simon Lehmann outlines what professional operators must change, what they must stop doing, and where time and capital should be focused to protect margin and build durable businesses.The 6 Decisions Shaping STR Performance in 2026Quality of earnings – Why unit-level profitability matters more than portfolio growth.Pricing – How pricing shifts from a tactical tool to a leadership strategy.Operations – Why friction, not branding, defines trust and long-term value.Regulation – The transition from headline risk to enforcement and professionalism.Risk and insurance – How liability, safety, and preparedness are being repriced.Distribution – Why controlled exposure replaces maximum exposure in a changing discovery landscape.FOUNDING SPONSORSFounding PMS Partner, eviivo.eviivo Suite centralizes booking management, payments, automation, and OTA connectivity for 28,000 accommodation providers.👉 Access the exclusive offer from eviivo hereFounding Operations Partner, Breezeway.Breezeway brings operational workflows, service execution, and standards together in one platform for hospitality operators.👉 Get started with Breezeway hereFounding RMS Partner, PriceLabs.PriceLabs centralizes automated pricing and market intelligence for property managers operating at scale👉 Start your 30-day free trial with Pricelabs hereFounding Insurance Partner, Pikl.Pikl enables insurance-powered flexible cancellation and new revenue models for short-term rental operators.👉 Know more about Pikl hereResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Short-term rentals, flexible living, and multifamily are no longer separate conversations. For institutional capital, they are converging into a single question around risk, yield, and long-term durability.In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Jaja Jackson, Senior Vice President of Real Assets at ICONIQ Capital and Corporate Development Officer at Sentral, to unpack how large-scale investors evaluate short-term rentals, midterm stays, and flexible living models.This conversation cuts through platform narratives and focuses on underwriting logic, operational discipline, and why integration matters more than experimentation.In this conversation, we discuss:Why Jaja Jackson sees STR as both an asset class and an operating strategy, depending on how risk and operations are structured.How institutional investors assess STR, mid-term stays, and unfurnished rentals through one core lens: predictable income, controlled risk, and lasting upside.Why flexible living works only when it is fully integrated into Class A multifamily operations, not treated as an add-on.What billions in deployed capital reveal about returns, and why mixed-length stay models outperform unfurnished-only strategies.How lessons from Airbnb shaped institutional thinking, and why early lease-arbitrage models broke down without deep operational integration.Why brand, transparent reporting, and operational discipline matter more to institutional capital than short-term yield spikes, drawing on perspectives from ICONIQ Capital and Sentral.Disclaimer:The opinions expressed in this podcast solely represent the views of the respective speaker. Nothing expressed in this podcast should be viewed as investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security, nor creates an advisory relationship with ICONIQ Capital. Nothing in this podcast constitutes accounting, legal, regulatory, tax, or other advice.  Explore more:Connect with Jaja Jackson on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaja-jackson-36832a57] to learn more about ICONIQ [https://www.iconiqcapital.com/real-assets] and Sentral [https://sentral.com/] ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Rebecca Kacaba, Co-Founder and CEO of DealMaker, joins Simon Lehmann for a candid conversation on why traditional capital raising no longer works for most founders and what a modern alternative looks like.Rebecca is a former capital markets attorney who left Big Law to build one of North America’s leading online capital raising platforms. DealMaker has helped companies raise more than $2 billion online and has become a key infrastructure layer for founders operating outside the traditional venture capital funnel.This is not a fintech pitch.It is a practical breakdown of how capital markets are changing and what that means for founders in short-term rentals, hospitality, and real estate.In this conversation, we discuss:Why capital raising remains slow, opaque, and founder-unfriendly, and how moving it online shifts leverage back to operators.How DealMaker approaches fundraising like an e-commerce checkout, turning supporters into investors and long-term community members.The most common mistakes founders make when raising early capital, from unrealistic valuations to choosing capital that limits flexibility.Why community-driven capital can complement venture capital, especially as companies stay private longer and need alternative growth paths.How AI is reshaping capital markets by reducing friction in compliance, verification, and investor onboarding.Rebecca’s lessons from scaling DealMaker, including how to build a high-performance culture while staying close to customers as the company grows. Explore more:Connect with Rebecca Kacaba on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccakacaba/] to learn more about DealMaker [https://www.deaDlmaker.tech/]  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, Bobby Healy, Founder and CEO of Manna Drone Delivery, joins Simon Lehmann for a grounded discussion on why last-mile delivery is structurally broken and how autonomous aerial delivery could reshape logistics, cities, and the short-term rental guest experience.Bobby brings decades of experience building travel and infrastructure businesses. Today, he leads Europe’s largest commercial drone delivery operator, running real operations at scale across Europe and the United States in dense urban environments.From airline software to car rental distribution and now drone delivery, his perspective cuts across regulation, economics, and operational reality.In this conversation, we discuss:● Why last-mile delivery is structurally broken and constrained by road-based economics● How drone delivery changes the unit economics of logistics at scale● Why regulation is required infrastructure, not a blocker to innovation● Where payload limits, flight availability, and use cases define what drones can realistically deliver● Why drone delivery only works if it replaces road delivery rather than supplementing it● How autonomous delivery intersects with hospitality and short-term rental guest experienceExplore more:Connect with Bobby Healy on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhealy] to learn more about Manna Drone Delivery [https://manna.aero/] ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

2025 marked a turning point for the short-term rental industry.Not a year of hype or breakout growth, but a year of recalibration.In this Holiday Special of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann reflects on the conversations, tensions, and signals that defined the industry throughout the year. These insights are from the podcast, but also from in-person events, operator discussions, and real-world industry dialogue across global markets.This episode captures where short-term rentals stand today, shaped by operators facing tighter margins and more regulation.In this episode, we discuss:How industry conversations shifted throughout 2025Why margins, operations, and disciplined growth moved back to the forefrontHow technology discussions became more grounded in operational realityWhere AI entered the conversation in non-theoretical waysWhy professionalization continues to separate operators across regionsWhat remains unresolved as the industry looks aheadFOUNDING SPONSORSFounding PMS Partner, eviivo.eviivo Suite centralizes booking management, payments, automation, and OTA connectivity for 28,000 accommodation providers.👉 Access the exclusive offer from eviivo hereFounding Operations Partner, Breezeway.Breezeway brings operational workflows, service execution, and standards together in one platform for hospitality operators.👉 Get started with Breezeway hereFounding RMS Partner, PriceLabs.PriceLabs centralizes automated pricing and market intelligence for property managers operating at scale👉 Start your 30-day free trial with Pricelabs hereFounding Insurance Partner, Pikl.Pikl enables insurance-powered flexible cancellation and new revenue models for short-term rental operators.👉 Know more about Pikl hereResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Europe is often discussed as a single market. This panel makes clear why it is not.In this panel, Simon Lehmann brings together three leaders navigating growth across Europe’s most fragmented markets: Alexander Limpert (GuestReady and RentalReady), Antoine Serrurier (COCOONR), and Harold Lubberdink (Happy.Rentals). Together they break down what sustainable growth really looks like when regulation, local execution, and trust change country by country.You’ll hear why there is no single European playbook, how operators balance centralized systems with hyper-local operations, and why technology only works when it supports operational excellence on the ground.In this conversation, we discuss:Why short-term rental growth in Europe looks different market by marketHow STR regulation in Europe shapes scaling strategies and operating modelsWhy trust and local operations matter more than brand when scaling STR in EuropeHow European STR operators balance centralized systems with local executionWhere technology actually helps scale STR operations and where it falls shortWhy there is no single business model for scaling short-term rentals in EuropeLearn more about our guests:Connect with Alexander Limpert on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderlimpert/] to learn more about GuestReady [https://www.guestready.com] & RentalReady [https://www.rentalready.com/].  Connect with Antoine Serrurier on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/antoine-serrurier-6a505917/] to learn more about COCOONR [https://cocoonr.fr/].  Connect with Harold Lubberdink on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/harold-lubberdink-b9a67113/] to learn more about Happy.Rentals [http://happy.rentals/].  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Woody Marshall is a General Partner at TCV, one of the most influential investment firms in global technology and a long-standing backer of travel companies including Expedia, Airbnb, HomeAway and TripAdvisor. With more than two decades of experience investing in category-defining platforms, Woody brings a unique view of how technology evolves and what it takes for a company to break through in fragmented markets.In this episode, Simon Lehmann speaks with Woody about the state of short-term rental technology, why investor appetite has shifted and how AI, consolidation and new competitive pressures are reshaping the landscape. Woody explains how TCV evaluates opportunity, why STR technology has different valuation dynamics than traditional SaaS and what founders should understand as they build in an increasingly crowded space.This conversation offers an unfiltered look at how top-tier investors see the market and what it will take for the next generation of STR technology companies to stand out.In this conversation, we discuss:How TCV approaches travel technology and why STR platforms require a distinct investment lens.Why fragmentation across PMS, operations, revenue tools and distribution makes scale difficult to achieve.How AI is reshaping search, personalization and product experience and what this means for STR platforms.Why consolidation is likely and where the market may converge as the tech stack evolves.How competitive dynamics with incumbents and AI-first entrants affect valuation, defensibility and long-term strategy.What founders must demonstrate today to compete, differentiate and attract institutional investment. Explore more:Connect with Woody Marshall on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/woodymarshall/]  to learn more about TCV [https://www.tcv.com/] ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Cami Narino, Chief Operating Officer, and Jeff Hurst, Chief Executive Officer at Furnished Finder, join Simon Lehmann to analyze one of the most important shifts happening in housing and hospitality today: the rise of midterm rentals. Over the past decade, Furnished Finder has grown from zero to more than 300,000 listings, powered by independent landlords, changing mobility patterns and a growing need for flexible housing across the United States.In this episode, Cami and Jeff explain why midterm rentals are gaining momentum, what supply looks like in practice and how the needs of monthly renters differ from short-term guests. They break down the economics of the category, the operational cadence behind longer stays and the technology required to screen guests, reduce fraud and deliver safer outcomes for both sides of the marketplace.This conversation shows how midterm rentals are evolving, what is driving demand and why operators and landlords should pay attention as the category matures.In this conversation, we discuss:Why midterm rentals are becoming a meaningful category in housing and hospitality and how demand has shifted beyond short stays.How independent landlords drive the majority of midterm rental supply and why their inventory behaves differently from STR.What sets midterm rentals apart from short-term stays, including operational cadence, guest expectations and pricing stability.How Furnished Finder scaled from 20,000 to more than 300,000 listings and why the marketplace model, not instant booking, works for monthly stays.How screening, verification and trust and safety have become essential to creating safer outcomes for guests and property owners.How regulation, supply trends and capital cycles are shaping the future of midterm rentals as the category matures. Explore more:Connect with CEO Jeff Hurst [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-hurst-atx/] and COO Cami Narino on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/cami-narino/] to learn more about Furnished Finder [www.furnishedfinder.com].   Exclusive offer for STR Global Unlocked listeners: Use code UNLOCKED10 for 10 percent off a new Furnished Finder listing through 12/31/2025.ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Glenn Fogel is the President and CEO of Booking Holdings, the parent company of Booking.com, Priceline, Kayak and other global brands that shape how the world travels. With more than two decades at the forefront of online travel, he has guided Booking through major industry shifts, emerging technologies and changing traveler behavior.In this episode, Simon Lehmann speaks with Glenn about how AI, search and short-term rentals are redefining the future of travel. Glenn explains why STR is now central to Booking’s long-term strategy, how traveler expectations are evolving, and why the Connected Trip vision depends on both technology and human judgment.This conversation offers a clear view of how one of the most influential leaders in travel sees the road ahead and what operators need to understand as the industry moves into a new phase.In this conversation, we discuss:How AI is reshaping travel search through natural-language queries, proactive trip planning and Booking’s early work with OpenAI, Google Gemini and other models.Why short-term rentals are now a core growth engine for Booking.com, representing 36% of room nights and outpacing hotel inventory growth globally.What the Connected Trip means for travelers and how Booking plans to reduce friction with predictive tools, better timing, automated fixes and personalized recommendations.The strategic challenges in the US and Asia and how Booking is rebuilding its STR product to win listings, improve quality and meet rising market expectations.The rising role of FinTech in travel including payments, fraud prevention, cancellations, insurance and cross-border settlement designed to reduce friction for partners and guests.How regulation, consumer behavior and post-pandemic trends are reshaping STR supply, demand patterns and the long-term future of global travel. Explore more:Connect with Glenn Fogel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/glennfogel/] to learn more about Booking Holdings [https://www.bookingholdings.com/]. ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Sean Breuner is the Founder and CEO of AvantStay, one of the most ambitious hospitality brands in the short-term rental industry. Since launching in 2017, AvantStay has raised significant capital, expanded across the United States, and set out to define what a national hospitality brand could look like in STR.In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Sean for an open conversation on scale, brand building, operational reality, and the tough decisions required to grow during one of the most volatile periods in the industry’s history. Sean shares the thinking behind AvantStay’s proprietary tech platform, its “Hotel in a Home” thesis, and what it takes to deliver consistency at scale in a horizontal operating model.In this conversation, we discuss:Why AvantStay was built around group travel and a “Hotel in a Home” experience.How brand, technology, and operational tooling came together to create a vertical hospitality platform.Why AvantStay invested in proprietary tech and what it takes to maintain quality across dispersed markets.How the company navigated rapid expansion, macroeconomic shifts, and multiple rounds of layoffs.Why alignment with homeowners matters more than ever and why asset-light models continue to win.How regulation, consolidation, and shifting distribution dynamics will shape the future of STR. Explore more:Connect with Sean Breuner on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanbreuner/] to learn more about AvantStay [https://www.avantstay.com].  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Cliff Johnson is the former Co-Founder of Vacasa, one of the largest short-term rental management companies in the United States, and now serves as President of PadSplit, a fast-growing affordable housing marketplace. His journey from startup founder to industry veteran gives him a rare perspective on how far the STR sector has come (and what still holds it back).In this episode, Simon Lehmann sits down with Cliff to trace Vacasa’s early days, the decisions that shaped its rise, and the lessons learned from scaling too fast. Cliff also shares how his mission-driven approach now guides his work at PadSplit, tackling housing accessibility through a completely different model.This is an inside look at the human side of growth, leadership, and what the industry can learn from both its successes and its missteps.In this conversation, we discuss:How Cliff Johnson and Eric Breon founded Vacasa during the 2008 recession and built it into a national brand.Why Vacasa’s focus shifted from mission and quality to growth at all costs—and what that change revealed about the industry.The challenges of raising capital and why positioning as a “tech company” mattered to investors.Lessons from Vacasa’s global expansion and what went wrong in scaling internationally.Why operational quality and human capital still define long-term success in short-term rentals.How today’s property managers can balance owner expectations, guest experience, and sustainable profitability.Learn more about our guest:Connect with Cliff Johnson on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsoncliff] to learn more about PadSplit [https://www.padsplit.com/], the USA’s largest coliving marketplace. ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Two systems drive every property management company: revenue and operations. For years, they’ve worked in silos. But what happens when they finally connect?In this episode, Simon Lehmann brings together Jeremy Gall, Founder and CEO at Breezeway, and Richie Khandelwal, Co-founder at PriceLabs, to explore how smarter data, clearer demand signals, and integrated tools can redefine how professional operators run their businesses. The discussion uncovers why market fragmentation continues to challenge scalability, which technologies may be overhyped, and how real profitability depends on linking pricing with operational execution.In this conversation, we discuss:Why revenue and operations are the two pillars every short-term rental business must align.How market fragmentation and slow tech adoption continue to define the STR landscape.Which parts of the STR tech stack are consolidating and why some tools will stay specialized.How understanding demand signals helps operators plan resources and boost profitability.Why AI’s influence in short-term rentals is real but still developing.What a smarter, more connected tech stack means for professional property managers today.Learn more about our guests:Connect with Jeremy Gall on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/jeremiahgall] to learn more about Breezeway [breezeway.io].  Connect with Richie Khandelwal on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/richiekhandelwal] to learn more about PriceLabs [hello.pricelabs.co].  ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Amiad Soto is the co-founder and CEO of Guesty, one of the most recognized property management software platforms in the short-term rental industry. His journey started in Tel Aviv, where he and his brother Koby launched the company more than a decade ago, before taking it through Y Combinator in Silicon Valley. Under his leadership, Guesty has grown into a global player, shaping the way property managers and hosts scale their businesses across markets worldwide.Our conversation dives into Guesty’s growth story, the lessons learned along the way, and what’s next for the short-term rental industry.In this conversation, we discuss:Amiad Soto’s journey from a side project with his twin brother in Tel Aviv to scaling Guesty into a global property management platform.Key lessons from Guesty’s time at Y Combinator and how that experience shaped the company’s growth.Why short-term rentals are a core part of hospitality and how the industry has evolved over the past decade.The challenges of scaling technology across fragmented, international markets and Guesty’s approach to solving them.How Guesty builds tech for real-world operators, from streamlining daily operations to enabling smarter, data-driven decisions.Amiad’s perspective on leading through change while building customer trust and strong team culture. Explore more:Guesty Property Management Platform [https://www.guesty.com]. Explore how Guesty supports property managers with end-to-end solutions.Connect with Amiad Soto, Co-founder & CEO of Guesty, on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amiadsoto].ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Carl Shepherd is the Co-Founder of HomeAway, the marketplace that helped define the modern short-term rental industry. Before Airbnb became a household name, Carl and his co-founder Brian Sharples built HomeAway into a global platform that changed how people rent and manage vacation homes. The company went public in 2011 and was later acquired by Expedia for $3.9 billion.If you want to understand how today’s OTA landscape was built, and where it’s breaking, this episode is essential listening. Carl shares how HomeAway scaled through acquisitions, why the industry lost its uniqueness, and what professional property managers must do to stay relevant in a platform-dominated market.In this conversation, we discuss:How Carl and Brian turned an information business into a $3.9B global marketplaceWhy HomeAway’s original model changed the future of short-term rentalsWhat Expedia got wrong after acquiring HomeAway and how it reshaped the OTA modelCarl’s view on Airbnb’s fee structure shift and its long-term effects on hosts and managersWhy professional property management must evolve toward a franchise modelWhat tech-enabled PMs often misunderstand about software, service, and brand consistencyWhy the next phase of STR growth depends on quality control and trustExplore more:Connect with Carl Shepherd on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/carl-shepherd-1152924/]. ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Every major player in short-term rentals has chased the idea of building a truly global operator. None have cracked it.In this panel, Simon Lehmann brings together three leaders shaping the next phase of professionalization: Graham Donoghue (Forge Group, UK), Steve Schwab (Casago, US), and Quirin Schwaighofer (MadeComfy, Australia). Together they break down what it really takes to scale across borders and why local expertise still defines success.This episode goes beyond theory. You’ll hear how operators balance growth with cultural nuance, how investors think about scale, and why the future of short-term rentals depends on blending technology with human judgment.In this conversation, we discuss:Why no operator has cracked the code for a global STR brand and what makes each market uniquely difficult.How Casago’s decentralized franchise model builds community-level trust while scaling across the Americas.The MadeComfy playbook for partnering with real estate agents to grow fast and stay capital-light.How Forge Group uses technology, AI, and long-term planning to drive operational excellence through 2030.What private equity and strategic investors really measure when defining “value creation” in the STR sector.Why the next generation of operators will need both AI-driven systems and human talent to stay competitive. Learn more about our guests:Connect with Graham Donoghue on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/grahamdonoghue] to learn more about Forge Holiday Group [forgeholidays.com]. Connect with Steve Schwab on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/sschwab] to learn more about Casago [casago.com]. Connect with Quirin Schwaighofer on LinkedIn [linkedin.com/in/quirin-schwaighofer] to learn more about MadeComfy [madecomfy.com.au]. ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

Brian Egan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Evolve, a Denver-based hospitality company with a mission to become the most trusted brand in vacation rental. Since launching Evolve in 2011 alongside Adam Sherry, Brian has grown the company to support over 35,000 properties and more than $5 billion in rental revenue. If you're navigating the complexities of short-term rentals, this episode offers insights you won't find in a press release. Brian shares what it takes to build trust at scale, how to grow without losing your identity, and why consistency still beats tech when it comes to guest experience.In this conversation, we discuss:What inspired Brian Egan to leave a career in law and launch a brand focused on rebuilding trust between guests, owners, and property managersHow Evolve’s approach challenges the traditional property management model and redefines what it means to scale in a low trust categoryThe early struggles of building Evolve and why Brian believes trust, not inventory, is the key to winning in vacation rentalHow the short-term rental industry lost its identity and what it takes to build a brand in a fragmented, tech dominated spaceWhat most founders miss about balancing owner expectations, guest satisfaction, and profitability at scaleWhy consistency, experience, and human connection, not just tech, are shaping the future of vacation rentalsConnect with Brian Egan on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianwegan/] to learn more about Evolve Vacation Rental [https://www.evolve.com]. ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

“Short-term rental is mainstream hospitality. It makes up 14% of global hospitality. And mainstream industries must operate by a different set of rules.” — Simon LehmannThe short-term rental industry is at a turning point. Regulation is tightening, OTAs are shifting power, and owners are demanding more transparency. Technology and AI promise efficiency but raise new risks. Safety sits at the center of it all. This is the roadmap industry leaders will be referencing all year.Simon Lehmann, your host, has more than 20 years of hands-on experience shaping STR worldwide. He is the founder of AJL Atelier, where he and his team have advised more than 100 companies across the sector. A board member, investor, and trusted voice at global industry events, Simon has seen every side of the market. His perspective comes from years in the field, guiding operators, tech founders, and investors through growth and disruption.The 6 Hot Topics Shaping STR in 2025 and beyond:Regulation – What new rules mean for growth and compliance.OTAs – How platform dynamics will impact supply and demand.Owners – Rising expectations from those who hold the keys.Tech – Tools that will decide who scales and who stalls.AI – Where intelligence meets disruption in STR.Safety – Why trust remains the industry’s most valuable currency.If you found this episode valuable, we encourage you to share it with colleagues or stakeholders in your network who are navigating the future of short-term rentals.ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/ 

STR Global Unlocked is the podcast built to say what others won’t. Hosted by Simon Lehmann, one of the most trusted voices in the global STR space, every episode takes on the hard questions shaping property management, STR tech, investment, and hospitality such as: Is regulation now existential for STR? Are OTAs making operators fragile? Will short-term rentals become just another hotel product?The short-term rental industry is evolving fast, and this is where the unfiltered conversations begin. No PR fluff. Just real conversations, global insights, and the people who know what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s coming next.👉 The first episode drops October 6. Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss what’s coming.ResourcesAJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/