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Ben Maller talks about the latest wrinkle with A.J. Brown and the Patriots, if the new Ravens coaching staff will be able to convince Lamar Jackson to show up for OTAs, if Brandon Aubrey is worth a gigantic payday from the Cowboys, Fact or Fiction, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
(0:00) Ravens GM Eric DeCosta “definitely” confident on reaching extension with Lamar Jackson (5:00) Ravens HC Jesse Minter on getting Lamar Jackson to attend OTAs (20:00) Broncos HC Sean Payton will give up play-calling duties to OC Davis Webb (29:00) NBC Sports’ Joshua Perry joins the show (38:00) Patriots HC Mike Vrabel from yesterday (54:00) Raiders’ asking price for Maxx Crosby (57:30) Who should pursue Crosby?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Shannon Sharpe, Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson and Iso Joe Johnson react to Shannon tearing his meniscus during bowling in Nightcap Outside, Cooper Flagg to be the first rookie since Magic to have historic numbers in 40 games, and the San Antonio Spurs have won 10 games straight and much more! Subscribe to Nightcap presented by PrizePicks so you don’t miss out on any new drops! Download the PrizePicks app today and use code SHANNON to get $50 in lineups after you play your first $5 lineup! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/NI... 50:25 - Shannon’s going to have knee surgery 1:05:25 - Cooper Flagg first rookie since Magic to reach stats in 40 games 1:07:20 - 10 Straight Wins for the Spurs for first time since 2015-16 1:11:50 - Suns owner wants more star players participating in All-Star Weekend 1:28:10 - Ravens new head coach hopes to change players’ attitudes toward OTAs 1:33:55 - Anonymous NFL GM says he's not interested in Tyreek Hill (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements.) #ClubSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Hotels are not underperforming because demand is weak, they are underperforming because the economics of the guest relationship are still being managed manually. That is the central takeaway from my recent Demo Day conversation with Luca Zambello, Founder, and Jason Lopez, VP of Revenue at Jurny. [Full disclosure: I am an early investor in Jurny] In brief: Hotels are leaving meaningful NOI on the table by treating guest experience as a cost center rather than an operating system. What stands out Personalization at scale is an operational advantage that directly impacts NOI. Ancillary revenues sold post-booking carry near-zero marginal cost and disproportionately expand NOI. AI changes the labor equation by shifting staff from admin and triage to actual hospitality. Centralized communications using AI work when guest intent, sentiment, and history live in one place. Jurny helps hotels systematically monetize guests beyond the room night. When guest communication is fragmented across OTAs, email, SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, and front desks, operators lose both service quality and revenue opportunity. Once communication is centralized, automation and AI start becoming leverage. The most compelling insight is financial. As Luca puts it, a 10 percent lift in guest-driven revenue does not translate into a 10 percent NOI improvement. Because fixed costs are already covered, it can mean 30 to 40 percent relative to current NOI. Why this matters beyond hospitality What this demo really highlights is how AI is beginning to fundamentally change commercial real estate operations across asset classes. CRE is moving away from linear models where growth requires more people, more friction, and more overhead and platforms like Jurny point to a future where intelligence, not headcount, becomes the primary scaling mechanism. That shift is already underway - and it is happening faster than most operators think. Tune in to learn more – you don't need to a hotelier to appreciate the power of AI on CRE. *** At GowerCrowd, we are bringing the most advanced AI tools to our clients for both capital formation - but across other operational verticals too (like acquisitions). If you'd like to learn more about how we can assist you too, please reach out. Subscribe to my newsletter and get access to this transformational intel before anyone else: https://gowercrowd.com/subscribe Email: adam@gowercrowd.com Call: 213-761-1000
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dig into the latest headlines shaping online travel, short-term rentals, and platform strategy. Otamiser has secured $2M in fresh capital to scale its AI-driven revenue platform for hotels and STR operators, highlighting continued investor interest in tech that boosts OTA visibility and revenue. Airbnb is testing loyalty benefits — exploring non-traditional perks and potential paid-member mechanics that CEO Brian Chesky says could be a “massive accelerant” for repeat stays. The team also breaks down how Airbnb's hotel strategy is expanding far beyond pilot programs into broader markets, revisiting its competitive stance versus OTAs like Booking.com and others. Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg acknowledged in a confidential memo that recent share price volatility and investor frustration with slow AI progress are weighing on the business, while Sabre Corporation announced layoffs and leadership reshuffles as it pivots toward becoming an “AI-native” tech provider. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane dig into the latest headlines shaping online travel, short-term rentals, and platform strategy. Otamiser has secured $2M in fresh capital to scale its AI-driven revenue platform for hotels and STR operators, highlighting continued investor interest in tech that boosts OTA visibility and revenue. Airbnb is testing loyalty benefits — exploring non-traditional perks and potential paid-member mechanics that CEO Brian Chesky says could be a “massive accelerant” for repeat stays. The team also breaks down how Airbnb's hotel strategy is expanding far beyond pilot programs into broader markets, revisiting its competitive stance versus OTAs like Booking.com and others. Tripadvisor CEO Matt Goldberg acknowledged in a confidential memo that recent share price volatility and investor frustration with slow AI progress are weighing on the business, while Sabre Corporation announced layoffs and leadership reshuffles as it pivots toward becoming an “AI-native” tech provider. Connect with Airline Weekly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airline-weekly/ X: https://x.com/Airline_Weekly/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/airlineweekly/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the airline and travel industries.
In this episode, I breakdown discuss how the USA has been fairing in the winter Olympics. I also discuss Lamar Jackson reporting to OTAs?, Vini Jr, Golden State's future and so much more! 0:00 Team USA wins Gold 7:45 Ravens OC taking shots at Lamar? 24:36 Golden States future 43:26 Vini Jr racial situation Click here to Subscribe! www.youtube.com/user/jalenhunter7…ub_confirmation=1 Social Media: IG: www.instagram.com/the_unpopular_pod/ Twitter: twitter.com/imsayinthou FB: www.facebook.com/TheUnpopularPodcast1 Podcast Store: teespring.com/stores/the-unpopular-podcast?page=1 Promotion Request: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQL…wform?usp=sf_link THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT!!! #sports #podcast #sportspodcast #Unrivaled #TeamUSA #2026 #GoldenState #Warriors #Seahawks #Giannis #Eagles #Packers #Chargers #Dolphins #Colts #Commanders #UFC #Giants #Cardinals #Gold #Olympic #Falcons #Bills #MVP #ViniJr #Bears #Panthers #Bengals #StephCurry #RealMadrid
Michelle, Courtney Cronin, & Kimberley Martin discuss Declan Doyle's decree that he expects all Ravens to attend voluntary OTAs this offseason. Is he calling out Lamar Jackson? Caleb Williams was on Maxx Crosby's podcast and has some lofty goals for the 2026 season...could that be with Crosby on the team? Kevin Durant claims he has no burner accounts...anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michelle, Courtney Cronin, & Kimberley Martin discuss Declan Doyle's decree that he expects all Ravens to attend voluntary OTAs this offseason. Is he calling out Lamar Jackson? Caleb Williams was on Maxx Crosby's podcast and has some lofty goals for the 2026 season...could that be with Crosby on the team? Kevin Durant claims he has no burner accounts...anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michelle, Courtney Cronin, & Kimberley Martin discuss Declan Doyle's decree that he expects all Ravens to attend voluntary OTAs this offseason. Is he calling out Lamar Jackson? Caleb Williams was on Maxx Crosby's podcast and has some lofty goals for the 2026 season...could that be with Crosby on the team? Kevin Durant claims he has no burner accounts...anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michelle, Courtney Cronin, & Kimberley Martin discuss Declan Doyle's decree that he expects all Ravens to attend voluntary OTAs this offseason. Is he calling out Lamar Jackson? Caleb Williams was on Maxx Crosby's podcast and has some lofty goals for the 2026 season...could that be with Crosby on the team? Kevin Durant claims he has no burner accounts...anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Michelle, Courtney Cronin, & Kimberley Martin discuss Declan Doyle's decree that he expects all Ravens to attend voluntary OTAs this offseason. Is he calling out Lamar Jackson? Caleb Williams was on Maxx Crosby's podcast and has some lofty goals for the 2026 season...could that be with Crosby on the team? Kevin Durant claims he has no burner accounts...anymore. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
HR3 - Falcons will have to make some tough personnel decisions over next few years In hour three Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan quickly touch on some of the biggest headlines around the local and national sports scene, continue to play ‘Prove it, Extend, Walk' when it comes to the Atlanta Falcons 2026 free agents where they have three Falcons free agents they have to choose from and decide which one they will give a one-year 'prove it' deal, which one they'll give a long term extension, and which one they will let walk and not re-sign. Then, Mike, Ali, and Beau spend some time with national NFL writer for The Athletic Mike Jones! Beau, Mike, Ali, and Mike discuss if he uses the G-Mail app or the Apple Mail app, how Mike feels about the NFLPA report card situation, the NFL winning the grievance for the report cards to no longer be public, but the NFLPA going to continue to do them, the San Francisco 49ers having two international games this season and losing a home game because of their Mexico City game, how Mike feels about new Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle saying that he expects everyone at their voluntary OTAs and saying that he feels like quarterback Lamar Jackson has a higher ceiling and has things that he can improve on, why Mike had the Atlanta Falcons as his sixth best team out of the 18 teams that did not make the playoffs this past season, if Mike has heard anything about who could potentially buy the Seattle Seahawks, and if Mike thinks Jerry Jones nor Stephen Jones being at new Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker's introductory press conference could be a sign that Jerry and the Jones family could finally be taking a step back from being as vocal as they have been in the past. The Morning Shift crew also continues to play ‘Prove it, Extend, Walk', but this time instead of doing it with 2026 Atlanta Falcons free agents where they have three Falcons free agents they have to choose from and decide which one they will give a one-year 'prove it' deal, which one they'll give a long term extension, and which one they will let walk and not re-sign they do it with some Falcons who are not free agents. Then, Mike, Beau, and Ali close out hour three by answering people's questions about anything in the Morning Mailbag!
Mike Johnson, Ali Mac, and Beau Morgan spend some time with national NFL writer for The Athletic Mike Jones! Beau, Mike, Ali, and Mike discuss if he uses the G-Mail app or the Apple Mail app, how Mike feels about the NFLPA report card situation, the NFL winning the grievance for the report cards to no longer be public, but the NFLPA going to continue to do them, the San Francisco 49ers having two international games this season and losing a home game because of their Mexico City game, how Mike feels about new Baltimore Ravens Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle saying that he expects everyone at their voluntary OTAs and saying that he feels like quarterback Lamar Jackson has a higher ceiling and has things that he can improve on, why Mike had the Atlanta Falcons as his sixth best team out of the 18 teams that did not make the playoffs this past season, if Mike has heard anything about who could potentially buy the Seattle Seahawks, and if Mike thinks Jerry Jones nor Stephen Jones being at new Dallas Cowboys Defensive Coordinator Christian Parker's introductory press conference could be a sign that Jerry and the Jones family could finally be taking a step back from being as vocal as they have been in the past.
In this episode, Ryan Mann, Partner at McKinsey & Company, shares how "AI has become agenda item one, two, three, four, and five" for hotel leaders worldwide. Recorded at ALIS in January 2026, this conversation explores how AI has shifted from experimentation to executive priority in a matter of months.Ryan outlines three key arenas shaping hospitality today: internal automation, on-property operational efficiency, and the high-stakes disruption of search and booking. He explains why AI is no longer a technology problem but an adoption challenge, why data readiness and trust will determine visibility in AI-driven discovery, and how leaders should think in scenarios as OTAs, suppliers, and agentic systems compete for control of the booking relationship.This episode offers a clear framework for where to act now and how to prepare for a rapidly shifting distribution landscape.See our previous conversation: How The World's Best Hotels Deliver Exceptional Service - Ryan Mann, McKinsey & Company A few more resources: If you're new to Hospitality Daily, start here. You can send me a message here with questions, comments, or guest suggestions If you want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day, subscribe here for free. Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram. If you want to advertise on Hospitality Daily, here are the ways we can work together. If you found this episode interesting or helpful, send it to someone on your team so you can turn the ideas into action and benefit your business and the people you serve! Music for this show is produced by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands
What if the biggest opportunity in your STR business isn't higher ADR or better occupancy — but who actually owns your guest relationship?In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Arthur Colker, CEO of StayFi, to unpack one of the most under-discussed levers in short-term rentals: guest acquisition costs and repeat demand. As OTAs continue tightening control over guest data and shifting fee structures, hosts and property managers are left asking an important question — are we building a business, or renting one?Arthur breaks down why tracking guest acquisition costs, collecting first-party data, and building a direct booking channel isn't just about avoiding platform fees. It's about increasing total occupancy, improving booking windows, and creating long-term resilience. From practical strategies for smaller operators to how advanced hosts are reaching 60%+ direct bookings, this conversation reframes direct booking as a growth strategy — not just a defensive move.If you've ever wondered whether investing in your brand, email marketing, or direct booking site is worth it — this episode delivers clarity.You don't want to miss this episode.Practical Takeaways You Can Apply NowThink beyond the booker. Every guest in the reservation is a potential future customer. Expanding your marketing mindset beyond the primary booker unlocks new repeat and referral opportunities.Consistency beats perfection. A simple monthly email — even plain-text and personalized — can outperform polished newsletters. The goal is to stay top of mind when guests are ready to book again.Direct bookings increase total occupancy — not just margins. The real ROI isn't only saving OTA fees. It's filling nights that would otherwise sit empty.Build a brand, even if you're small. Whether you have one property or ten, guests need an identity to remember. For smaller operators, your personal story and hospitality voice are the brand.Control your pricing strategy. Advanced operators often price higher on OTAs and reward direct bookings with better value — flipping the script from dependence to leverage.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE
In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, I'm joined by voices from across the industry to break down what's coming next and what hosts and property managers need to prepare for now.Drawing on insights from operators, tech leaders, consultants, and founders, we cover the biggest shifts already happening beneath the surface, including:• AI moving from hype to table stakes• Direct bookings becoming a survival strategy, not a nice-to-have• Automation reshaping guest communication, marketing, and operations• Rising guest expectations and the return of high-touch experiences• Consolidation across software and management companies• Regulation, tourist taxes, and what they could mean for supply• Longer stays, digital nomads, and stronger shoulder seasons• Why revenue management and marketing are finally mergingI also share my own prediction for 2026 and why I believe this is the year the industry fully crosses into a new operating model.If you're a host or property manager who wants to stay profitable, future-proof your business, and reduce reliance on OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com, this episode will help you see what's coming before it hits.Listen now and decide which side of the change you want to be on.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers break down the latest headlines shaping short-term rentals and online travel — from new funding bets to investor jitters around AI. They start with Kindred's $125 million funding round, unpacking why investors are backing home swapping as a lower-cost, lower-friction alternative to traditional short-term rentals and hotels. The conversation then turns to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States, and how host cities are bracing for rising prices, tighter regulations, and growing scrutiny of Airbnb as mega-events collide with local housing markets. The episode also checks in on OTA stocks, where analysts say recent sell-offs in Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) and Expedia Group reflect AI anxiety more than weakening travel demand. Both Mizuho and Baird argue fundamentals remain strong, with OTAs likely to stay powerful distribution players even as AI reshapes search. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
On Monday's Good Morning Hospitality, a Skift Podcast, Michael Goldin, Brandreth Canaley, Jamie Lane, and Wil Slickers break down the latest headlines shaping short-term rentals and online travel — from new funding bets to investor jitters around AI. They start with Kindred's $125 million funding round, unpacking why investors are backing home swapping as a lower-cost, lower-friction alternative to traditional short-term rentals and hotels. The conversation then turns to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States, and how host cities are bracing for rising prices, tighter regulations, and growing scrutiny of Airbnb as mega-events collide with local housing markets. The episode also checks in on OTA stocks, where analysts say recent sell-offs in Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG) and Expedia Group reflect AI anxiety more than weakening travel demand. Both Mizuho and Baird argue fundamentals remain strong, with OTAs likely to stay powerful distribution players even as AI reshapes search. Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
00:00 – 9:31 – The Pacers come up short against the Jazz as a bunch of reserves play for both teams, Giannis’ note to Milwaukee as trade rumors swirl, the Hoosiers let one get away against USC, 9:32 – 19:42 – Morning Checkdown 19:43 – 41:46 – Jeff cheats at trivia rejoiner and he still tries to defend himself, Tyrese Haliburton talks with LeBron James about his mindset heading into Game 7 before his injury, Drake Maye’s game against the Colts last season and was it, the Pro Bowl was god awful….apparently 41:47 – 1:09:12 – Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle joins us and discusses the team’s performance in January, Pascal Siakam being named an All-Star reserve, what he didn’t know about Siakam when they originally acquired him, Johnny Furphy’s development, what he uses index cards for during games, is he expecting any moves at the trade deadline, the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, Drive & Dish, Morning Checkdown 1:09:13 – 1:19:27 – Colts reporter Jake Arthur joins us and discusses why the off-season is sometimes busier than the regular season, Senior Bowl notes, Hoosiers that stood out at the Senior Bowl, positional needs for the Colts, free agent decisions for the Colts, what would have to happen for Colts to go offense with their second round pick?, QB depth chart come OTAs 1:19:28 – 1:27:18 – The Muppets are back tonight, reflecting on the Miracle on Ice and the new Netflix doc on it, big sports moments 1:27:19 – 1:51:10 – Big Ten Network’s Mike DeCourcy joins us and is already disappointed in his Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, Purdue’s recent struggles and what it means, if anything, come tournament time, the Hoosiers and their chances come March, undefeated teams this late in the season, his Olympics coverage and why he never wanted to cover the Winter Olympics, Frank Reich named Jets offensive coordinator, Morning Checkdown 1:51:11 – 2:01:25 – What is the center market at the NBA trade deadline, should they deal Bennedict Mathurin or would that be an overreaction to the big picture goals? 2:01:26 – 2:06:45– Jeff checks the text line, will the Pacers make a move before the deadline?, Olympics momentsSupport the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-wake-up-call-1075-the-fan/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
00:00 – 22:10 – Jeff cheats at trivia rejoiner and he still tries to defend himself, Tyrese Haliburton talks with LeBron James about his mindset heading into Game 7 before his injury, Drake Maye’s game against the Colts last season and was it, the Pro Bowl was god awful….apparently 22:11 – 39:22 – Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle joins us and discusses the team’s performance in January, Pascal Siakam being named an All-Star reserve, what he didn’t know about Siakam when they originally acquired him, Johnny Furphy’s development, what he uses index cards for during games, is he expecting any moves at the trade deadline, the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, Drive & Dish 39:23 – 49:13 – Colts reporter Jake Arthur joins us and discusses why the off-season is sometimes busier than the regular season, Senior Bowl notes, Hoosiers that stood out at the Senior Bowl, positional needs for the Colts, free agent decisions for the Colts, what would have to happen for Colts to go offense with their second round pick?, QB depth chart come OTAs 49:14 – 1:00:57 - Big Ten Network’s Mike DeCourcy joins us and is already disappointed in his Steelers hiring Mike McCarthy, Purdue’s recent struggles and what it means, if anything, come tournament time, the Hoosiers and their chances come March, undefeated teams this late in the season, his Olympics coverage and why he never wanted to cover the Winter OlympicsSupport the show: https://1075thefan.com/the-wake-up-call-1075-the-fan/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize – powered by Hostfully – Gil Chan from Crafted Stays shares five practical tips to make sure your direct booking website turns lookers into bookers.We cover:* How guests actually discover your website* The impact of AI on search and visibility* Why knowing your guest avatar matters more than branding* How to remove friction from the booking journey* The credibility signals every direct booking site needsGil also shares his top tip for increasing repeat bookings — and why investing in email marketing is no longer optional.2:05 Discoverability 3:06 Get your ticket for the Host Planet Roadshow: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-roadshow4:31 How AI platforms are affecting search and discoverability 5:43 Integration7:16 Relatability 8:52 Knowing your guest avatar over branding10:20 Ease of booking12:19 Credibility 15:49 Tracking 18:44 Top tip: invest in email marketing 20:21 Crafted Stays: https://craftedstays.co/Looking for a great property management software or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!Check out these special offers:Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: frank@hostfully.com Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Gil Chan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thegilbertchan/Crafted Stays: https://craftedstays.co/Episode to check next: STR Insurance Myths That Cost Hosts Thousands: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ug-VzTECagThe Host Planet Podcast is where Airbnb hosts, Booking.com hosts, Vrbo hosts, and short-term rental operators come to learn what actually works. Each episode features expert insights from people actively building, managing, and scaling short-term rentals, covering everything from Airbnb hosting fundamentals to advanced rental strategies. Whether you're focused on guest satisfaction, rental management, or smarter automation tips, the show delivers practical advice you can apply immediately to improve performance and increase Airbnb bookings.Across the series, we explore Airbnb host tips, listing optimization, price optimization, and Airbnb listing optimization – alongside real-world investing insights and behind-the-scenes Airbnb secrets you won't hear elsewhere. From hosted conversations with industry leaders and Airbnb ambassadors to actionable guidance on bookings and short-term rental growth, Host Planet helps hosts navigate short term rentals with confidence and clarity.The show is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.Contact the show: info@hostplanet.club#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #DirectBookings #STRMarketing
In the first TRENZ Unpacked episode for 2026, Michelle Caldwell is joined by industry stalwart Michel Adolphe, Chief Commercial Officer at Hind Management (home of the Sudima Hotel Group). With more than two decades of TRENZ under his belt, Michel shares a refreshingly honest look at how the event has evolved - and why its core purpose hasn't changed. From handwritten appointment requests and queueing at buyer booths, to today's slick digital scheduling, Michel reflects on what's different, what still matters, and why TRENZ remains a long-term game. This episode goes beyond nostalgia. Michel offers practical, grounded advice for accommodation providers and operators at every stage - from first-time exhibitors to seasoned sellers - covering ROI expectations, trade-readiness, presentation tips, and the importance of doing your homework before you walk into a 15-minute appointment. It's also a timely snapshot of what's happening in international markets right now, how distribution has shifted with the rise of OTAs, and why relationships with inbound operators and agents remain critical. If you're heading to TRENZ, thinking about it for the future, or just want a reality-check from someone who's truly seen it all - this is a must-listen. __________________________________________________________________ Powered by https://www.destinatenz.com If you, or someone you work with has a great tourism story to share, and would like to come onto the show, please get in touch! This is an independent podcast by tourism strategist Michelle Caldwell. We are absolutely dedicated to bringing you the best tourism business stories and sharing marketing tips and strategies to your ears each week! The best way you can support The Tourism Chat Show is by subscribing, leaving a (rave!) review, (five star!) rating and spreading the word on social media with your friends, family, and colleagues- we love you for that!
This is a story of growth through creativity, experimentation, and using technology to stay lean.Carlo Pandian (LinkedIn) is the founder of Slow Travel Italia. Four years ago he started with a single wine tasting in Verona, and today runs 160 experiences across 12 Italian cities, serving 15,000 guests a year with a very small team.In this episode, he talks to TP host Mitch Bach about exactly how he did it: experimenting with neglected time slots (like 6pm) that competitors ignore, launching five tours at once instead of one to multiply his chances of finding a niche, using Airtable and automations to eliminate manual booking assignments and personalize communication at scale, and treating OTAs as a launchpad rather than a long-term home. Carlo shares how he identifies gaps in crowded markets by studying what's missing—not just in Italy but in places like Japan—and why he pulled out of Milan when the math didn't work. He explains his "requirements manifesto" for vetting partners, how he coaches food producers on storytelling for international audiences, and why the biggest trend he's seeing is travelers willing to spend half a day outside the city for a single product done deeply—visiting the olive grove, watching mozzarella pulled from boiling water, understanding one thing fully rather than tasting nine things superficially.As always, more info and takeaways on tourpreneur.com.
Seth and Luke discuss when things went wrong for the Texans' offense this season: was it the "bush league" training camp, CJ missing OTAs, or something else?
Un estudio de Arival sobre la industria global de tours, actividades y experiencias revela que, tras superar los niveles prepandemia en 2024 y 2025, las reservas a través de agencias de viajes online (OTAs) alcanzaron un récord del 37%, mientras que las ventas directas cayeron al 25%. La investigación también destaca un uso creciente de inteligencia artificial, con la mitad de los operadores incorporando herramientas de IA en operaciones, marketing y atención al cliente, en un contexto de creciente competencia y transformación digital del sector.B travel ha lanzado «Equipaje de mando», una miniserie digital de cinco episodios protagonizada por la maleta de la marca y el influencer Saúl Tijeras, como parte de su campaña de marca para 2026. La acción, concebida para redes sociales, utiliza un formato de falso documental y un tono humorístico para trasladar el conocimiento y la experiencia acumulada de la red de agencias desde un enfoque narrativo y audiovisual.Hellotickets prevé duplicar su cartera de proveedores en los próximos 18 meses, pasando de 150 a cerca de 300 acuerdos con operadores de experiencias, tours y eventos. Esta ampliación se enmarca en su estrategia de crecimiento y consolidación en el mercado español, con el objetivo de reforzar la oferta disponible y mejorar la experiencia de los usuarios tanto a nivel nacional como internacional.Vueling reforzará la conectividad internacional de Sevilla este verano con una nueva ruta a Niza, operativa desde el 2 de junio con tres vuelos semanales. La aerolínea incorporará un avión adicional a su base en Sevilla, aumentando su oferta de asientos y ampliando también sus conexiones con Londres y París.HBX Group cerró el primer trimestre fiscal 2026 con 170 millones de euros en ingresos, un 5% más a tipo de cambio constante, y un volumen de transacciones de 2.023 millones, un 16% interanual. El crecimiento estuvo impulsado por la demanda internacional y la integración de inteligencia artificial en sus procesos, con Europa, América y MEAPAC mostrando incrementos sólidos, mientras la compañía mantiene sus previsiones para todo el ejercicio.La Red de Pueblos Gastronómicos de España presentó en Fitur su hoja de ruta para 2026, marcada por la incorporación de nuevos socios y un plan de expansión internacional. Tras nueve meses de actividad, la plataforma ya está presente en ocho comunidades autónomas, suma once municipios y una comarca, y avanza en su objetivo de consolidarse como una marca turística de alcance nacional e internacional.
A massive winter storm slams U.S. air travel, triggering more than 10,000 flight cancellations and ripple effects nationwide. Agoda's CEO delivers a blunt message on AI adoption as travel companies shift from testing to full-scale execution. And Saudi Arabia hits pause on parts of Vision 2030, signaling a recalibration from spectacle to feasibility. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down what travelers need to know, how OTAs are reorganizing around AI, and why Saudi's mega-projects are entering a new phase of reality checks. This episode is presented by Lodgify! Articles Referenced: Winter Storm Slams U.S. — Airlines Cancel 10,000+ Flights From Vibe Coding to Exclusive LLM Deals: AI Takeaways From Agoda's CEO Saudi's Vision 2030: Neom Scale-Back and Winter Games Delay Honorable Mention: @AskAConcierge on IG Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
In this episode, I'm breaking down the real ROI of marketing for boutique hotels, micro resorts, and short-term rental owners, and I'm doing it with actual numbers, not fluffy marketing talk. One of the biggest questions I hear from owners is, "What's my ROI on marketing?" And the truth is, most hospitality businesses are looking at marketing the wrong way. It's not an expense you justify month to month. It's an income-producing asset that impacts revenue, margins, and the long-term value of the business you're building. I walk through a realistic boutique hotel example and show how marketing assets like branding, email marketing, social media, and a direct booking ecosystem can conservatively add around $300,000 per year in revenue, and potentially $800K to $1M in valuation when it comes time to sell. No unicorn assumptions. No perfect markets. Just simple math and strategy that most owners are (unfortunately) not leveraging. We talk about what marketing assets actually are, why relying solely on OTAs leaves you with no leverage, and how things like pricing power, owned demand, and direct bookings give you more control over your business. I also break down why social media is not just about visibility, but credibility and conversion, and why an email list is one of the most overlooked assets in hospitality. This episode also covers what to realistically expect from a marketing agency, how to evaluate ROI beyond just "new bookings," and why sometimes the biggest win is reclaiming profit you're currently giving away in OTA fees. If you're building a boutique hotel, micro resort, STR portfolio, or even a single high-performing property and you care about long-term growth, cash flow, and exit value, this conversation will help you rethink how marketing fits into the bigger picture of your business. Connect with me:
Send us a message!Last week with Moriya Rockman, we explored luxury through the lens of growth, relationships, and what it takes to scale a high-end portfolio without losing the hospitality at the center. This week, Nir Maimon brings the conversation to the definition itself, what “luxury” should mean, how it should be verified, and why the category loses trust when the label gets used too loosely.“Luxury” has become one of the most overused words in vacation rentals, and that is exactly the problem.In this episode, Alex and Annie sit down with Nir Maimon, President and Co-Founder of The Maimon Group, to break down how he evaluates luxury with a practical framework that starts with the operator and ends with the asset. Nir shares why luxury cannot be treated as a marketing adjective, what happens when guest expectations fall short, and why platforms and operators need clearer standards if the category wants to keep its credibility.They also get into what verification can look like in practice, why Nir's team says “no” far more than they say “yes,” and how their approach to service, personalization, and systems supports the level of trust luxury guests expect.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals01:11 – Nir's background and what The Maimon Group does in ultra-luxury02:18 – The core issue: “luxury” is being misused in vacation rentals04:26 – Nir's framework: luxury starts with the operator, then the asset06:45 – How Nir scores luxury (location, layout, privacy, finishes, noise, access, amenities)08:34 – The trust gap: what OTAs get wrong without verification15:48 – LPMS and the travel advisor workflow (how trust gets protected in bookings)24:02 – Big-event travel and why groups keep choosing homes27:45 – Personalization at scale: CRM, surveys, and concierge ownership31:10 – AI in hospitality: start with clean data, then layer automation with human validation38:08 – Looking ahead to 2026: “deployment,” standards, and repeatable excellenceConnect with Nir:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nir-maimon-59024595/ The Maimon Group: https://www.themaimongroup.com/ LPMS: https://thelpms.com/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Streamline your short-term rental operations with Hostfully.Mention the Alex & Annie Podcast when you sign up and get free onboarding ($1000 value).
On this episode of Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, Michael Goldin, and Jamie Lane unpack the idea that the thrill is gone for Airbnb and short-term rentals, a growing conversation about innovation, product fatigue, and where the sector goes from here. Then they look at Hilton's latest strategic move with the launch of Apartment Collection by Hilton, its 26th brand targeting furnished apartment-style stays, a direct challenge to the traditional STR category through a major hospitality player. The team also dives into the Kasa acquisition of Mint House and what that signals about consolidation and operational scale in urban rental-style lodging. Finally, they break down Airbnb's efforts to build a hotel-focused team. A more direct sign that the company is trying to compete more directly with OTAs and traditional lodging channels. This episode is brought to you by Guesty! Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
China's market regulator has opened a formal investigation into online travel platform Trip.com Group for suspected abuse of its dominant market position and monopolistic practices, according to an official notice released on Wednesday.根据周三发布的一份官方通告，中国市场监管部门已对在线旅游平台携程集团涉嫌滥用市场支配地位、实施垄断行为立案调查。The probe was launched by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) following preliminary verification and in accordance with China's Anti-Monopoly Law, according to the notice posted on the SAMR's official website.国家市场监督管理总局在其官网发布的通告中表示，此次调查是在完成前期核查的基础上，依法依规、依据《中华人民共和国反垄断法》启动的。In an online statement, Trip.com said that it will actively cooperate with regulatory authorities in their investigation, fully implement regulatory requirements, and work hand-in-hand with all parties in the industry to build a sustainable market environment.携程在一份线上声明中表示，将积极配合监管部门调查，全面落实监管要求，并与行业各方携手共建可持续的市场环境。"Currently, all of the company's businesses are operating normally, and we will continue to provide high-quality services to our users and partners," it said.声明称：“目前公司各项业务均正常运行，将继续为用户和合作伙伴提供高质量服务。”After the investigation was announced, shares of Trip.com Group plunged 6.49 percent at the close of trading in Hong Kong on Wednesday.调查消息公布后，携程集团股价周三在香港收盘时大跌6.49%。As China's antitrust legal framework continues to improve, misconduct by platform companies that harms consumer rights or violates data protection is increasingly being addressed in accordance with the law, Liu Dingding, a veteran internet industry analyst, told the Global Times on Wednesday.随着中国反垄断法律体系不断完善，平台企业侵害消费者权益或违反数据保护规定的行为正日益依法得到规制。资深互联网行业分析人士刘丁丁周三在接受报纸采访时表示。"The probe also sends a clear signal to the industry, encouraging companies to rectify problems that emerged during rapid growth and to pursue more standardized and sustainable development," Liu said, adding that by promoting a healthier and more balanced market ecosystem, the measures aim to curb disorderly expansion and create more space for small and medium-sized enterprises and other market players.刘丁丁表示，此次调查也向行业释放出明确信号，督促企业纠正快速发展过程中暴露出的问题，推动更加规范、可持续的发展。他补充称，通过构建更加健康、均衡的市场生态，这些举措旨在遏制无序扩张，为中小企业等市场主体创造更大发展空间。On December 8 last year, a homestay association in Southwest China's Yunnan Province publicly announced that it was soliciting evidence for potential antitrust action against Trip.com, targeting what it described as years of unfair competition by the platform.去年12月8日，西南地区云南省一家民宿行业协会公开宣布，正在征集证据，拟针对携程多年来被指存在的不正当竞争行为提起反垄断维权行动。The association also announced a decision on launching rights-protection efforts against improper competition by online travel agencies (OTAs), according to a statement on its official WeChat account.该协会在其官方微信公众号发布的声明中还宣布，将对在线旅游平台存在的不正当竞争行为启动维权行动。In the statement, the association said that it had received a large number of complaints from member businesses in recent years, accusing Trip.com and other OTA platforms of abusing their market dominance through practices such as forcing merchants to choose one platform over others, unilaterally raising commission rates, imposing unfair trading conditions, and restricting traffic exposure.声明称，近年来协会收到大量会员企业投诉，指控携程及其他在线旅游平台通过强制“二选一”、单方面提高佣金比例、附加不公平交易条件、限制流量曝光等方式，滥用市场支配地位。It said that these practices had seriously harmed operators' legitimate rights and disrupted fair market competition.声明指出，这些行为严重侵害了经营者的合法权益，扰乱了公平有序的市场竞争秩序。The SAMR's investigation forms part of China's broader push to normalize antitrust enforcement in the platform economy after years of scrutiny over the competitive conduct of major internet platforms.此次调查是中国在多年强化监管基础上，推动平台经济领域反垄断执法常态化的重要组成部分。On November 15, 2025, the market regulator released a draft set of antitrust compliance guidelines for internet platforms for public consultation, and it said in December that it was moving faster to finalize and roll out the rules.2025年11月15日，市场监管部门发布了《互联网平台反垄断合规指引（征求意见稿）》，并于同年12月表示将加快规则定稿和出台进程。SAMR spokesperson Wang Qiuping said that the move aims to effectively protect the legitimate rights and interests of consumers and small and medium-sized businesses, guide platform companies toward compliant operations, and provide institutional support for building a healthy and orderly platform ecosystem.市场监管总局新闻发言人王秋苹表示，该举措旨在切实保护消费者和中小企业合法权益，引导平台企业合规经营，为构建健康有序的平台生态提供制度保障。The draft guidelines refer to eight emerging monopoly risks, including cases where some platforms force merchants to keep prices no higher than on rivals - so-called "lowest-price-across-the-internet" rules. An SAMR official told a press briefing that such practices may amount to abuse of market dominance or monopoly deals.该征求意见稿列举了八类新型垄断风险，其中包括部分平台要求商家价格不得高于竞争对手的所谓“全网最低价”规则。市场监管总局一名官员在新闻发布会上表示，此类行为可能构成滥用市场支配地位或垄断协议。According to information on its official website, Trip.com is a one-stop travel service platform operating brands including Ctrip, Trip.com, Qunar and Skyscanner, offering a full range of travel products, services and differentiated content to users worldwide. The company was listed on the Nasdaq in 2003 and completed a secondary listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2021.根据携程官网信息，该公司是一站式旅游服务平台，旗下运营携程、Trip.com、去哪儿、Skyscanner等品牌，为全球用户提供全品类旅游产品、服务及差异化内容。携程于2003年在纳斯达克上市，并于2021年完成香港联交所二次上市。According to industry estimates, Trip.com accounted for 56 percent of gross merchandise value in China's hotel and travel market in 2024, while Tongcheng ranked second with a 15 percent share. Together, the two platforms are estimated to control more than 70 percent of China's domestic OTA market, the Beijing Daily reported in July 2025.据行业估算，2024年携程在中国酒店及旅游市场的交易总额占比达56%，同程以15%的份额位居第二。北京日报2025年7月报道称，两大平台合计控制了中国国内OTA市场超过70%的份额。Anti-Monopoly Law /ˌænti məˈnɒpəli lɔː/反垄断法platform economy /ˈplætfɔːrm ɪˈkɒnəmi/平台经济online travel agency (OTA) /ˈɒnlaɪn ˈtrævəl ˈeɪdʒənsi/在线旅游平台commission rate /kəˈmɪʃn reɪt/佣金比例antitrust compliance guidelines /ˌæntiˈtrʌst kəmˈplaɪəns ˈɡaɪdlaɪnz/反垄断合规指引
Send us a message!In this episode, we sit down with Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House Luxury, to explore how a single personal vacation home in the Swiss Alps became the starting point for a global luxury vacation rental portfolio.Moriya shares her journey from accidental host to global founder, including why she and her husband chose to stay hands-on operators while scaling internationally. She explains how staying close to hospitality standards shaped every stage of growth, from property management to technology.The conversation also explores Villa Tracker, a B2B-to-C platform she founded that connects luxury homes with travel designers, concierges, and advisors booking on behalf of clients. Moriya breaks down why this channel matters, how it opens untapped demand beyond OTAs, and what it means for hosts and property managers looking to reach a different tier of traveler.We also dive into global luxury travel trends, emerging destinations, and why private homes continue to outperform hotels for group travel, longer stays, and experience-driven trips.This episode offers a grounded look at scaling thoughtfully, building through relationships, and creating long-term opportunity in luxury vacation rentals without losing sight of hospitality.Episode Chapters:00:00 – Welcome to Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals01:18 – Turning a Swiss Chalet Into a Vacation Rental Business03:25 – How to Scale a Luxury Vacation Rental Portfolio06:57 – Building a Global Luxury Brand While Staying an Operator09:49 – B2B Travel Bookings for Vacation Rentals Explained12:30 – Beyond Airbnb and OTAs for Luxury Rentals14:33 – How Luxury Travel Advisors Book Private Homes18:57 – Working With Individual Hosts and Property Managers22:59 – Technology Partnerships for Luxury Vacation Rentals25:57 – Is Luxury Travel Recession-Proof?28:10 – Why Groups and Multi-Generational Travel Choose Private Homes30:33 – Emerging Luxury Travel Destinations to Watch33:59 – Experiencing Luxury Properties in the Off-Season38:19 – Women in Vacation Rental LeadershipConnect with Moriya:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriya-rockman-a3467a13a/ Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/smiling-house/ ✨ Exclusive Offer to Alex & Annie Listeners:Streamline your short-term rental operations with Hostfully.Mention the Alex & Annie Podcast when you sign up and get free onboarding ($1000 value).
Should you rename your Airbnb listing photos with SEO keywords before uploading them? In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette break down when photo naming actually matters and when it doesn't.They explain how Airbnb and other OTAs interpret image data, why guest search behavior matters more than marketing adjectives, and how intentional photo naming can support long-term visibility and accessibility across platforms. This isn't a shortcut or hack—but it is a smart, low-effort optimization that compounds over time.If you're serious about aligning your listing with how guests search, and helping platforms better understand what you truly offer, this episode is for you.Resources mentioned: Subscribe to the Thanks for Visiting Youtube Channel!Thanks for Visiting Bootcamp: Join the waitlist!Mentioned in this episode:Working hard but not making the money you should? Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.Working hard but not making the money you should? Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.Working hard but not making the money you should? Join us for our live Priced & Profitable Bootcamp.
In this GMH Special, Wil Slickers sits down with Skift Founding Editor Dennis Schaal to unpack one of the most surprising travel tech stories of the year: Kayak's CEO quietly attempted to take the company private. They walk through what actually happened, why the move was explored, and what it reveals about the pressure facing travel platforms in a world being reshaped by AI, Google, and shifting distribution economics. The conversation explores how Kayak fits inside Booking Holdings, what a privatization attempt says about metasearch's future, and why some of the biggest names in travel tech are questioning whether public markets still make sense. For hotels, OTAs, and anyone watching how trips are discovered and booked, this episode breaks down what this story really signals about where power and profit are moving in travel. Read the full article here: https://skift.com/2026/01/09/kayak-ceo-tried-to-take-the-company-private-scoop/ Connect with Skift: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members. We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members. You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:American Airlines stops awarding miles and status points on basic economy fares.They have also launched a $5,000 offer which will get you immediate Gold status. This was launched so quietly earlier in December I totally missed it, but luckily I spotted Iñaki's post.Italy fines Ryanair - Europe's Favourite Airline a whopping €225m for their "abusive strategy against OTAs".There were 4 mergers & acquisition stories during the last 2 weeks of 2025.Ann's personal experiences on Brightline.You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360. Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show
In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, I'm joined by voices from across the industry to break down what's coming next and what hosts and property managers need to prepare for now.Drawing on insights from operators, tech leaders, consultants, and founders, we cover the biggest shifts already happening beneath the surface, including:• AI moving from hype to table stakes• Direct bookings becoming a survival strategy, not a nice-to-have• Automation reshaping guest communication, marketing, and operations• Rising guest expectations and the return of high-touch experiences• Consolidation across software and management companies• Regulation, tourist taxes, and what they could mean for supply• Longer stays, digital nomads, and stronger shoulder seasons• Why revenue management and marketing are finally mergingI also share my own prediction for 2026 and why I believe this is the year the industry fully crosses into a new operating model.If you're a host or property manager who wants to stay profitable, future-proof your business, and reduce reliance on OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com, this episode will help you see what's coming before it hits.Listen now and decide which side of the change you want to be on.
Research suggests that anywhere from 46% to 84% of autistic children experience selective eating. And the downstream risks are substantial: selective eating is linked with nutritional deficiencies, psychosocial impairment, and increased risk of developmental and psychiatric comorbidities, with severity tied to how persistent and restrictive the eating patterns become.In this OT Potential course, Britt St. John, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, joins us to break down what occupational therapy professionals need to understand—and do—when supporting autistic children with selective eating. We'll begin with Britt's story and key terminology (picky eating vs. selective eating vs. feeding disorders), then move into practical, evidence-based guidance for clinicians.Together, we'll focus on three core areas:Assessment: How to identify the nature and severity of selective eating, including available OT assessments and red flags that should guide clinical decision making.Caregiver collaboration: How to partner with families in ways that reduce stress, build shared understanding, and promote sustainable change at home.Evidence-backed treatment options: What the research supports, how OT interventions fit within interprofessional care, and when to refer on.This course is designed for OTs and OTAs looking for clarity in a complex practice area—and for practical tools you can use immediately to support families navigating selective eating.See full course details here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-courses/selective-eating-and-autism See all OT CEU courses here:https://otpotential.com/ceu-podcast-coursesSupport the show by using the OTPOTENTIAL Medbridge Code:https://otpotential.com/blog/promo-code-for-medbridgeTry 2 free OT Potential courses here:https://otpotential.com/free-ot-ceusSupport the show
This week's podcast is about the likely impact of agents on ecommerce. And specifically on tourism.You can listen to this podcast here, which has the slides and graphics mentioned. Also available at iTunes and Google Podcasts.Here is the link to the TechMoat Consulting.Here is the link to our Tech Tours.Here is the mentioned McKinsey report.----------I am a consultant and keynote speaker on how to accelerate growth with improving customer experiences (CX) and digital moats.I am a partner at TechMoat Consulting, a consulting firm specialized in how to increase growth with improved customer experiences (CX), personalization and other types of customer value. Get in touch here.I am also author of the Moats and Marathons book series, a framework for building and measuring competitive advantages in digital businesses.This content (articles, podcasts, website info) is not investment, legal or tax advice. The information and opinions from me and any guests may be incorrect. The numbers and information may be wrong. The views expressed may no longer be relevant or accurate. This is not investment advice. Investing is risky. Do your own research.Support the show
United upgrades its app into a predictive travel assistant, online travel agencies face an identity crisis in the age of AI, and World Cup ticket prices come down — but only on paper. On today's Skift Daily Briefing, Sarah Dandashy breaks down how United is using AI to reduce travel friction, why Expedia and Booking are rethinking their roles as AI reshapes discovery, and what World Cup pricing really means for fans planning to travel in 2026. This episode is brought to you by Amazon! To learn more, go to advertising.amazon.com Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.
Ryan Connolly, Head of Marketing at Hidden Iceland, shares how his company transformed from serving all market segments to focusing exclusively on premium and luxury private tours. The pivotal decision to cut small group tours (which represented 50% of departures but only 10% of revenue) allowed Hidden Iceland to grow by 5% while improving quality and profitability. Ryan discusses how relationship marketing drives 70% of their bookings directly (without OTAs), why they lead with education when working with travel advisors, and how PR outperforms paid advertising for luxury sales. He also reveals his background working in finance before a three year journey across 40 countries led him to become a glacier guide in Iceland, where he met his wife on a tour and co-founded the company with two partners.Top 10 Takeaways for Tour Operators1. Cut unprofitable segments ruthlesslySmall group tours accounted for 50% of Hidden Iceland's departures but only 10% of revenue. After eliminating that segment, they grew 5% by focusing resources on premium and luxury private tours where margins are higher.2. Partner with competitors instead of viewing them as threatsWhen customers can't afford Hidden Iceland's luxury pricing, Ryan personally introduces them to partner companies that serve the budget segment. This maintains relationships and positions them as helpful experts rather than pushy salespeople.3. PR drives better ROI than paid ads for high ticket salesOver 450 articles in publications like Condé Nast, Forbes, and CNN have driven 70% direct bookings. For luxury trips ($20,000+), earned media builds trust better than Facebook or Google ads.4. Lead with personal story in first customer contactRyan's initial email starts: "Hello, my name is Ryan. I'm originally Scottish. I've lived in Iceland since 2016. I originally trained as a glacier guide..." This builds immediate trust and differentiates from transactional competitors.5. Educate travel advisors. Don't just sell to themHidden Iceland runs webinars teaching agents about Iceland's seasons, distances, and what each time of year offers. Not sales pitches. The education first approach builds meaningful advisor relationships that generate 30% of bookings.6. Vet activity partners on safety and environmental standardsBefore partnering with snowmobile companies, helicopter tours, or other providers, Hidden Iceland shares their own safety and environmental policies first, then asks partners to reciprocate. This creates collaboration, not just transactions.7. Train guides to be themselves, not follow scriptsInstead of teaching guides what to say at each stop, Hidden Iceland tells them: "Be yourself in the most authentic way possible and create genuine connections." This leads to reviews that praise the guide more than the destination.8. Choose conferences strategically. Avoid the herdRyan skips luxury travel conferences if more than 2 or 3 other Iceland companies will attend. Less competition means easier differentiation and more meaningful conversations with travel advisors.9. Keep the sales process low tech and high touchDespite having a CRM (LEMACS), Hidden Iceland puts key itinerary details in the body of emails and offers phone calls early. For luxury clients, human connection trumps slick automation.10. Build the business with partners you trust implicitlyRyan emphasizes: "Don't set up a company with anyone you don't trust inherently and that you believe will communicate effectively during the hardest times." Through pandemics and volcanic eruptions, Hidden Iceland's three owners have never shouted at each other because they chose partnership carefully.
Greg Coleman's career took a turn that almost no one expects. After helping build a venture-backed tech company and appearing on Shark Tank, he shifted into a world most founders overlook: government contracting. In this conversation, Greg explains how startups, consultants, and small businesses can position themselves to work with federal agencies, navigate complex programs like SBIR and OTAs, and understand what it actually takes to break into the government market.Greg spent years inside the Department of Defense innovation ecosystem, where he evaluated early-stage technologies, managed prototype programs, and worked directly with founders trying to sell to the government. Today he advises companies on how to approach the federal market, avoid common mistakes, and build real opportunities inside agencies.If you're exploring government contracting for the first time, wondering how companies get funding, or trying to understand what separates successful federal vendors from everyone else, this interview gives you a clear, realistic starting point.Chapters00:00 – Greg's background and early Air Force career02:15 – Flying high-level government officials and global missions04:05 – Launching a startup and appearing on Shark Tank07:10 – Entering the government innovation ecosystem (DIU, NSIN)13:45 – How SBIR and STTR really work for small businesses18:20 – OTAs and how companies move from prototype to production25:10 – Examples of emerging tech companies building for the government31:20 – The hardest challenge: crossing the “valley of death”35:00 – Greg's advisory work helping companies approach the federal market38:30 – Greg's thoughts on the GovClose Certification ProgramWork With GregGreg advises early-stage and growth-stage companies (Pre-Seed through Series B) on entering the federal market, building repeatable sales strategies, and navigating SBIR, OTA, and prototype pathways.Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorycoleman/Become a Certified Government Contracting ProfessionalLearn federal sales, pipeline building, and modern acquisition strategies inside the GovClose Certification Program:https://govclose.comHire a GovClose-Trained ConsultantCompanies can get matched with trained federal sales consultants here:https://match.govclose.com
In this episode of The Sustainable Hospitality Podcast, host Kathy Sue McGuire speaks with Greg Poirier, Global Director of Hospitality Certification at Audubon International. Greg shares how the organization evolved from wildlife protection into one of the most influential sustainability certification bodies in hospitality—now active in 37 countries.They explore why third-party verification is becoming essential for hotels, why waste remains the industry's weakest performance area, and how staff culture, guest expectations, and AI-driven tools are reshaping the future of sustainable operations. Greg also breaks down the business case: where real ROI comes from, how to measure it, and why insurance volatility may soon push sustainability forward faster than anything else.⸻
The short-term rental market is entering a new phase — one where stability, not volatility, is driving the biggest changes. In this fireside chat from the Data & Revenue Management Conference, Jamie Lane joins Simon Lehmann and Pedro Borges to break down the real signals behind 2025's “steady state” and what it means for hosts and managers heading into 2026. This isn't a hype-filled projection; it's a data-backed look at supply slowdowns, shifting guest behavior, and how professionalization continues to reshape the competitive landscape.From the K-shaped performance split between luxury and mid-market listings to the growing influence of OTA ranking systems, the conversation highlights why outperforming your market now depends less on macro tailwinds — and more on operational sharpness. Jamie and Pedro dig into pricing challenges, the emerging STR-to-midterm pivot in major cities, and how rising owner expenses like taxes and insurance are reshaping what “profitability” even means. If you want a grounded, unfiltered view of where the industry is actually heading, this episode delivers it.For STR operators planning their next move, this is essential listening. You don't want to miss this episode!Key TakeawaysStability requires strategy: With occupancy flat and supply growth at historic lows, 2025–2026 will be a competition for share, not an automatic lift.Quality gaps matter: Listings with sub-4.7 ratings are shrinking fastest as OTAs elevate top-tier properties and push weaker performers to page two and beyond.Profitability is the real KPI: Rising insurance and property taxes mean managers must understand — and communicate — homeowner-level financial realities.Luxury grows, mid-market squeezes: The K-shaped recovery continues, rewarding high-end supply while challenging budget and mid-tier operators.Midterm strategies surge: Regulatory pressure and seasonality are accelerating the blend of STR and midterm stays, especially in cities like NYC, Denver, and LA.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE
On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Oliver Winter, CEO and Founder of a&o Hostels, for an inspiring conversation about his entrepreneurial journey, from traveling on a shoestring budget to building one of the largest hostel brands in the world. We talk about his focus on being a cost leader, not a price leader, and how that translates to a guest experience that works for small pockets while still serving the needs of his guests. Oliver also shares his passion for sustainability and how his company has been able to move from an 18-kilogram per guest carbon footprint to just a 3.8-kilogram per guest carbon footprint. What You Will Learn in This Episode: How Oliver turned his personal travel experiences into founding one of the largest hostel brands in Europe Why being a cost leader (rather than just a price leader) shapes a&o Hostels' unique value proposition and guest experience What makes the hostel guest experience distinctive, especially in terms of shared spaces, social atmosphere, and accommodation variety How a&o Hostels attracts diverse customer segments―from student groups to families, digital nomads, and backpackers―and the distribution strategies that work for them Why sustainability became a central focus for a&o Hostels, and how they've reduced their carbon footprint by over 80% per guest overnight What's next for a&o Hostels, including the big announcement of a new luxury budget brand to extend their reach and serve evolving traveler needs Creating Value Without Compromise One of the cornerstone philosophies for a&o Hostels is being a "cost leader," not just a "price leader." This means that they streamline operations and get rid of unnecessary frills while keeping the essentials, like comfort and safety, readily accessible. The hostels boast large capacities (an average of 800 beds per location), centralized operations, and shared facilities, striking a balance between affordability and a vibrant, social guest experience. Rather than confining the traveler's experience to private rooms, a&o focuses on engaging common areas, such as 24/7 bars, kids' zones, and flexible working spaces. These communal amenities give great opportunities for people to connect, appealing to families, digital nomads, student groups, and backpackers. The model values shared spaces over luxury and, in doing so, builds community. Evolving Guest Profiles and Modern Distribution Channels a&o Hostels caters to a wide range of guests, with profiles shifting based on season and day of the week. Midweek guests are often student groups and school tours, while weekends and holidays attract families and independent travelers. The brand is found on major OTAs like Booking.com and Expedia, but has also cultivated a strong direct booking channel via their own website. The flexibility in room types, from single or twin rooms for teachers and families to dorm-style accommodations for groups, further enhances their accessibility. This adaptable approach enables a&o to welcome anyone from school-aged travelers to budget-conscious business guests. Sustainability as a Core Company Value Beginning in 2015, Oliver and his team took a pioneering approach by closely tracking and reducing their carbon footprint per guest. Initially, a&o's footprint was already lower than average (18kg CO₂e per overnight stay, compared to 25kg at home), primarily thanks to shared spaces and efficient building use. But instead of settling, a&o set their sights higher. Through targeted operational changes—reducing waste, switching to renewable energy contracts, limiting disposables, and leveraging automation—they slashed their footprint by 80% to just 3.8kg per guest. What's more, many sustainability initiatives actually resulted in cost savings, debunking the myth that going green is always expensive. Resources: Website: https://www.aohostels.com/ LinkedIn Personal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-winter-berlin/ LinkedIn Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aohostels/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more of. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!
Send us a textLinking the Travel Industry is a business travel podcast where we review the top travel industry stories that are posted on LinkedIn by LinkedIn members. We curate the top posts and discuss with them with travel industry veterans in a live session with audience members. You can join the live recording session by visiting BusinessTravel360.comYour Hosts are Riaan van Schoor, Ann Cederhall and Aash ShravahStories covered on this podcast episode include:UK airline Blue Islands collapses, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Hilton revamps their Honors loyalty scheme - Rob Burgess talks us through the changes.Rob also brings us news about Marriott Hotels launching two new payment cards in the UK, linked to their Bonvoy reward scheme: Google's new AI travel search function drives down the share prices in major OTAs.Russian hackers clone more than 4,300 travel sites in attempts to steal payment and other customer data.In Australia, Helloworld Travel Limited makes an aggressive bid for Webjet.com.au.The German government will reduce air taxes in 2026. Airlines are clamping down on the use of power banks on flights.Space News!You can subscribe to this podcast by searching 'BusinessTravel360' on your favorite podcast player or visiting BusinessTravel360.comThis podcast was created, edited and distributed by BusinessTravel360. Be sure to sign up for regular updates at BusinessTravel360.com - Enjoy!Support the show
Airbnb is tightening regulations. Mom-and-pop hotel owners are retiring in waves. And the modern traveler doesn't want cookie-cutter rooms anymore — they want design-driven, Instagrammable stays with real hospitality baked in.In this episode, Rich breaks down the exact playbook he used to escape his 9–5 as an air traffic controller and build a fast-growing boutique hotel portfolio with seller financing, AI, and influencer-powered marketing. You'll hear how he bought hotels for six figures down, doubled revenue in 60 days just by turning on OTAs, and why boomers offloading no-tech properties is the biggest wealth transfer no one's talking about.Rich also reveals the levers that make boutique hotels scale way faster than Airbnbs ever could: dynamic pricing with AI, automated concierge systems guests think are human, turning innkeeper suites into revenue, amenity-fee arbitrage, and a weekly influencer pipeline that no big-brand hotel can replicate.If you've ever wondered how to get into hotels without being “rich,” or how boutique assets can outperform multifamily in today's market, this is the blueprint — from acquisition to operations to forced appreciation.Tap in. This episode will change the way you look at hospitality forever. Join our investor waitlist and stay in the know about our next investor opportunity with Somers Capital: www.somerscapital.com/invest. Want to join our Boutique Hotel Mastermind Community? Book a free strategy call with our team: www.hotelinvesting.com. If you're committed to scaling your personal brand and achieving 7-figure success, it's time to level up with the 7 Figure Creator Mastermind Community. Book your exclusive intro call today at www.the7figurecreator.com and gain access to the strategies that will accelerate your growth.
For the final episode in this special Future of Travel series, I sat down with someone who has quietly shaped more of the vacation rental industry than almost anyone working in it today: Tim Rosolio, VP of Vacation Rental Partner Success at Expedia Group. If you've ever wondered how VRBO evolved from a subscription classifieds site to a global e-commerce engine—or what the next decade of supply, demand, and distribution will actually look like—this is the conversation insiders will be talking about. Tim has spent the better part of a decade helping lead VRBO through some of the most dramatic shifts the category has ever seen: the end of inquiry-based booking, the rise of instant book, the professionalization of hosts, the explosion of supply post-2020, and now, the dawn of a new era where quality, trust, and distribution matter more than raw inventory. In this conversation, we get into: When vacation rentals truly went mainstream Why Vrbo is prioritizing quality over raw supply The rise of branded portfolios and social-led demand Expedia Group's distribution advantage How One Key changes the funnel The real take on OTAs vs. direct Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-rosolio-434b2a98/ Connect with Zach: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharybusekrus/ Apply to join the Journey Alliance: http://journey.com/alliance/ Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world's top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more. Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we'd love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.
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