Tourism Under Pressure: Managing Crowds and Fighting STR Regulations
Overtourism is pushing destinations like Rome and Paris to rethink crowd control, while STR operators worldwide are pushing back against rising restrictions. From legal wins in Portugal to grassroots action in Missouri, discover how hosts are shaping the future of regulation and tourism. https://youtu.be/-QNsAm93Nsg Listen on Spotify We’re diving into two critical conversations: how destinations […]
India’s Travel Boom: The Next Global Tourism Powerhouse
India’s leisure travel market is booming, set to hit $15 trillion globally by 2040. Driven by Gen Z, multigenerational trips, and ‘bleisure,’ this shift fuels massive growth in alternative stays, concert tourism, and international air routes. India is fast becoming a powerhouse in global tourism. https://youtu.be/4T2zJ_C-lEI Listen on Spotify We’re diving into a huge story […]
Loyalty Wars and Tech Gaps: Airlines Chase Miles, Hotels Chase Accessibility
JetBlue and Etihad launch extreme loyalty challenges, offering lifetime status and millions of miles—but critics question the sustainability. Meanwhile, the hospitality tech world faces an accessibility wake-up call as experts urge better design for neurodivergent users and frontline staff. https://youtu.be/AzQeoWYeXJY Listen on Spotify We break down two headline-grabbing trends: the rise of extreme airline loyalty […]
From Airbnb Dependent to Fully Booked Direct – The Power of Direct Bookings!
Link Link Linkedin Facebook Instagram Youtube Joining us is Jenn Boyles—vacation rental pro, marketer, and founder of Direct Booking Success and Book Direct Pro. Jenn shares her incredible journey from growing up in luxury hotels to becoming a short-term rental host and helping others achieve booking independence. We dive into the realities of relying on […]
AI Hype vs. Real Solutions: What Travel Investors and Hotels Really Need
Travel investors are warning startups: ditch the AI hype and focus on real solutions. Meanwhile, Chatlyn, an Austrian startup, raises €8M to become the AI brain for hotels—streamlining guest communication and saving time. In this episode, we unpack how AI is reshaping hospitality the smart way. https://youtu.be/kTTVqtznDXE Listen on Spotify We explore how travel investors […]
Hotels Battle Rate Undercutting + Agoda’s Simple But Powerful Loyalty Strategy
Hotels are fighting back against secondary OTAs that undercut rates and damage direct bookings. Meanwhile, Agoda is rewriting the loyalty playbook—forget points, it’s all about price. In this episode, we unpack how pricing power, transparency, and simplicity are reshaping travel. https://youtu.be/vPf1PZUtZBQ Listen on Spotify We unpack two critical challenges shaping the future of travel: how […]
India’s Tourism Boom & How Hotels Are Losing Control of Their Rates
India’s tourism is booming, set to hit $38B by 2033, fueled by government campaigns, rising incomes, and aviation growth. Meanwhile, hotels globally face a growing challenge from secondary OTAs undercutting rates. We break down how both trends are reshaping travel, pricing, and direct booking strategies. https://youtu.be/P5gc7mQ7utw Listen on Spotify We’re diving into two major headlines: […]
Power Plays & Phishing Scams: The New Frontlines of Travel Disruption
From Airbnb’s aggressive new lobbying tactics to the rise of sophisticated AI-powered phishing scams, today’s episode dives into the big risks—and bold moves—shaping travel in 2025. It’s a story of power, protection, and the evolving identity of short-term rentals. https://youtu.be/1ZX6Ay7yTxQ Listen on Spotify We look at two seismic shifts: Airbnb’s aggressive political lobbying tactics and […]
The Secret to Running a Scalable STR Business — Smoobu’s Strategy for 2025!
Link Facebook Instagram Youtube X-twitter Linkedin Joining us is Nicolas Grognet, the Strategic Partnerships Manager at Smoobu, to dive deep into what makes a scalable, successful STR business in 2025. From dynamic pricing and direct booking websites to flexible messaging automations and open API access, Smoobu is more than just a channel manager—it’s a platform […]
Overbooked and Over It: Rebalancing Travel in a Crowded World
From European cities fighting overtourism to record-breaking US travel for July 4th, we unpack how destinations are rebalancing strategy—and what it means for STR hosts navigating regulation, demand, and sustainable growth. https://youtu.be/ZBvL_j6AIVQ Listen on Spotify We’re zooming in on two sides of the travel surge: the growing backlash in Europe against overtourism, and the record-breaking […]