Podcasts about otas

The new league year opens with Foster Moreau and Logan Hall joining the Texans. Marc and John recap the full free agency haul and break down the O-line debate. Marc Vandermeer and John Harris go live from Sports Radio 610 three hours after the new league year officially opens, recapping the complete free agency haul and reacting to the latest additions. The headline signings: tight end Foster Moreau from the Saints joins as the inline blocking tight end the Texans have been seeking — a former LSU number 18 honoree who overcame Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2023 and embodies swarm culture — and defensive lineman Logan Hall arrives from Tampa Bay on a two-year, $14 million deal, bringing first-round pedigree and inside-outside versatility that John compares to Denico Autry's role. The Texans also add defensive end Dominique Robinson from the Bears on a one-year, $4 million deal and re-sign Naquan Jones. John provides the analytical framework for the Moreau signing, breaking down tight end archetypes — inline/wide tight ends (hand in the dirt blockers), F tight ends (receiving specialists like Mike Gesicki), H-backs, and U tight ends (do-it-all hybrids) — and explains why Moreau's ability to win at the point of attack against a six-technique defensive end unlocks the entire running game by threatening the edge and forcing linebackers to flow over the top instead of sitting in gaps. Marc connects the dots across the full free agency period, arguing the Texans have systematically addressed every area fans and analysts identified as needs: running back (Montgomery), offensive line (Ingram, Brown, Braden Smith), safety (Blankenship), tight end (Moreau), defensive line depth (Hall, Robinson, Naquan Jones, Sheldon Rankins return), and special teams (Hummel) — all without a single budget-breaking deal. The offensive line debate continues with the Braden Smith guard-or-tackle question still unresolved, and both hosts argue it won't matter until OTAs at the earliest. Marc draws the Tytus Howard parallel — Howard successfully moved from tackle to guard and held up well — and suggests Smith's college guard background and elite run-blocking ability could open up two positions instead of one if he slides inside. The show closes with an AFC South check-in: the Colts signed Daniel Jones to a two-year, $88 million deal but haven't impressed otherwise, Jacksonville is losing pieces but retains a solid defensive core, and the Titans under Robert Saleh are the dark horse that could start causing problems if Cam Ward takes a step forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Braden Smith signs from the Colts and Ka'imi Fairbairn gets extended as the Texans' free agency haul takes shape. Marc and John go live on new league year eve. Marc Vandermeer and John Harris go live from the Sports Radio 610 studios on the eve of the new league year, reacting to Day 2 of legal tampering and a free agency haul that's taking clear shape. The headline signing: Braden Smith, the former Colts right tackle, joins the Texans on a two-year deal worth up to $25 million. John provides the scouting deep dive — Smith was a guard at Auburn (90-plus percent of his college snaps), drafted 37th overall in the same class as Quentin Nelson, and only moved to tackle because a Colts staffer suggested trying him there during OTAs. The hosts leave the guard-vs-tackle decision open, noting it's March 10th with six months until kickoff, and emphasize that Smith's mentality fits the swarm culture regardless of position. John also highlights Jonathan Alexander's article on Smith's openness about mental health and anxiety, calling it impactful for the Houston community. Ka'imi Fairbairn receives a contract extension, cementing the kicker's status as one of the most important players on the roster — Marc spotlights his clutch 51-yard field goal against Pittsburgh in the playoff opener that pushed the lead to 10-6 and effectively changed the complexion of the game. The Texans also officially announced the signings of Ed Ingram, Trent Brown, Dalton Schultz, E.J. Speed, MJ Stewart, and Danielle Hunter's extension, plus added special teamer Jake Hummel and defensive end Dominique Robinson. The offensive line discussion dominates the show, with the hosts mapping out the current group — Aireontae Ersery, Jared Patterson/Braden Smith, Jake Andrews/Eli Cox, Ed Ingram, Trent Brown/Blake Fisher — and making the case that the draft's interior linemen (guards especially) are the sweet spot for picks 28, 38, 58, and 68. John draws an extended parallel between Ersery's development trajectory and Duane Brown's, noting Brown told him it took three or four years to truly master the position, and argues Ersery's year-two leap could be significant. Marc delivers the show's signature math: David Montgomery (two years, $6-7 million) plus Reed Blankenship (three years, $24 million) cost roughly what Kenneth Walker alone commanded (three years, $45 million) — and you get a complete running back plus a starting safety for the price of a first-and-second-down-only runner.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mitch Bach talks with Jenn Barbee, co-founder of Destination Innovate, about the real inner workings of DMOs, those three letters that every tour operator has an opinion about but few actually understand. Jenn has spent 30 years inside destination marketing, from a shoestring US Department of Commerce team trying to promote America on a $50,000 budget to her current work closing the gap between DMOs and the small businesses they are supposed to serve. The conversation covers how DMOs get funded, why they sit on valuable visitor data, and what tour operators can actually do to get beyond the dead-end website listing.It goes further than the typical "how to work with your tourism board" advice. Jenn and Mitch get into the identity crisis hitting tour operators and DMOs at the same time: both are losing ground to OTA platforms, both need direct guest relationships, and neither is building enough local partnerships to fight back. They talk short-term rental hosts as untapped referral channels, guerrilla marketing tactics that cost almost nothing, and the hard truth about inbound tourism to the US heading into World Cup and the 250th anniversary.Key TakeawaysYour DMO has expensive visitor data that could sharpen your product, pricing, and ads, but they will not hand it over unless you ask. 06:14 – 07:19 DMOs invest in data about visitor appetite, competing markets, and traveler clusters by neighborhood and interest type. That information rarely trickles down to small tour businesses because DMOs feel pressure to contextualize it or fear judgment on their numbers. Frame your ask around strengthening the destination's tourism product, not just helping your business, and you stand a real chance of getting access to insights you could never afford on your own.The single best first move with your DMO is to find the community manager and introduce yourself with specific visitor language, not a sales pitch. 11:48 – 12:58 Audit your tour product against what the destination website is promoting in terms of itineraries or themes, then reach out where you see a match or a gap. Lead with collaboration. Once you have that baseline, you can inch toward higher-value asks like data sharing or co-promotion, but only after you have earned the relationship through showing up and being useful.Survey your customers about whether they booked the experience before the hotel, then bring that data to the DMO. 56:29 – 56:39 If you can show a DMO that your tour attracted bed nights, you are speaking their only real language: occupancy and bed tax justification. Most tour operators never collect this data, and most DMOs have never seen it from a small business. It positions you as a strategic asset rather than another name on a listings page.DMOs are shifting from marketing organizations to stewardship organizations, and that tension is something you can use. 08:50 – 09:59 Many DMOs now describe themselves as "destination management" or "stewardship" organizations, moving toward what is right for their communities. Their boards and bed tax collectors still want heads-in-beds KPIs. If your tour disperses visitors into underserved neighborhoods, supports local businesses, or tells a more honest destination story, you become the kind of partner that helps a DMO justify its new direction to the people holding the purse strings.Getting listed on the DMO website is a win. Stop underestimating it. 13:10 – 13:45 Many operators treat a listing as table stakes, but some DMOs do not even offer that without a paid membership. If you are listed, follow up by tagging the DMO constantly on social media and feeding them content they can reshare within their brand guidelines. The social media managers have more flexibility than the executive staff and will amplify content that feels fresh or on-brand.If your local DMO is stuck promoting only the marquee attractions, skip them and go to the state level. 17:38 – 18:32 A DMO locked into bread-and-butter promotion is usually in protection mode, worried about occupancy numbers. State tourism offices have embraced experience-driven programming and are more open to working with operators who tell a broader story. For most small tour businesses, the state governor's conference on tourism is where accessible DMO relationships start.Short-term rental hosts are closer to the guest than any DMO, and tour operators should be building direct relationships with them now. 24:31 – 26:00 Short-term rentals nationally overtook hotels in occupancy as of September 2025. Those hosts talk directly to guests about what to do in town. A recommendation from a local Airbnb host is warmer than any OTA listing and costs zero commission. Finding them is manual (social media DMs, local searches), but the payoff is a direct referral channel with no middleman.Stop chasing first-time visitors. Loyal, repeat visitors spend more, stay longer, and sustain the businesses that matter. 32:49 – 33:32 DMOs and operators both fixate on acquiring new customers while ignoring the people who already love the destination. Repeat visitors become patrons of smaller, niche experiences and local businesses. For multi-day operators especially, a returning guest who books a deeper or different tour is more profitable than constantly feeding the top of the funnel.Identity beats branding. Know who you are and say no to the rest. 38:44 – 41:27 Jenn draws a hard line between brand (what you market) and identity (who you actually are and who you serve). When you lead with identity, you market less because the right people find you. That means turning down some customers and product ideas, which is terrifying for newer operators, but it prevents the bland, generic positioning that makes you invisible on platforms like Viator and GetYourGuide.The "book direct" movement matters for tour operators just as much as it does for short-term rentals and hotels. 42:58 – 44:28 Hotels lost roughly 80% of their distribution to OTAs. Tours and activities sit around 40% OTA-controlled, which means there is still time to build direct channels. DMOs missed the OTA boat the first time and are caught in a relevancy crisis. That creates a shared interest: both of you need to reclaim the guest relationship before the platforms own it entirely.Guerrilla, person-to-person marketing is the only thing worth betting on in this environment. 34:16 – 35:03 Replace coffee sleeves at a local shop for a week with a message like "next time mama's in town, try this." That costs almost nothing and puts your name in front of a local audience in a real, physical moment. Operators burning money on flashy ad campaigns and agencies are losing to the ones doing the manual work of building one relationship at a time.Bring tour operators, short-term rental hosts, and local businesses into the same room. The collaboration that comes out of it is worth more than any campaign. 30:35 – 32:17 A 12-person Tourpreneur meetup in Dallas turned competitors into collaborators planning joint tours before they left the room. Those rooms should include short-term rental hosts, restaurants, coffee shops. Nobody is organizing these cross-sector local gatherings yet. That is the opportunity.Rethink the "travel presentation at the library" model. Gather local people around something that is not your tour. 53:23 – 54:46 Jenn pitches a revival of the house-party model for travel: 10 to 15 people, food, conversation, then introduce the experience. For multi-day operators, this replaces the stale slide deck. Book clubs are surging. House gatherings are surging. The sale happens because you built trust in a personal setting, not because you ran a Facebook ad.Quirky, unpolished video cuts through. But virality does not equal business success. 36:32 – 37:38 Behind-the-scenes, day-in-the-life content is what is actually getting traction on social right now. The less templated and less AI-generated it feels, the better it performs. Use that attention as a hook, then shift to collaborative content and real relationship-building that converts. A weird 30-second clip of your tour prep is worth more than a polished banner ad.The inbound tourism situation in the US is worse than most operators realize, and pretending otherwise is a losing strategy. 48:28 – 50:43 Canadian airlines are pulling US routes for summer 2026. Sixteen countries now have travel advisories against

On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping travel and short-term rentals. They start with OpenAI walking back plans for in-chat checkout in ChatGPT, a move that shifts the platform back toward discovery rather than transactions and eases pressure on OTAs like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG). They also unpack comments from Expedia Group's CFO about how the company has “radically changed the direction” of the business with new performance metrics and strategic priorities. The team then looks at cancellation trends hitting vacation rentals in the United Arab Emirates, where regional instability is beginning to ripple through bookings, before diving into analysis on whether Airbnb may need acquisitions if it truly wants to “own the entire trip.” They also highlight Breezeway's recent funding news following the bonus interview with Jeremy Gall released earlier last week.

On this week's Good Morning Hospitality, A Skift Podcast, Wil Slickers, Brandreth Canaley, and Jamie Lane break down the latest headlines shaping travel and short-term rentals. They start with OpenAI walking back plans for in-chat checkout in ChatGPT, a move that shifts the platform back toward discovery rather than transactions and eases pressure on OTAs like Expedia Group and Booking Holdings (NASDAQ: BKNG). They also unpack comments from Expedia Group's CFO about how the company has “radically changed the direction” of the business with new performance metrics and strategic priorities. The team then looks at cancellation trends hitting vacation rentals in the United Arab Emirates, where regional instability is beginning to ripple through bookings, before diving into analysis on whether Airbnb may need acquisitions if it truly wants to “own the entire trip.” They also highlight Breezeway's recent funding news following the bonus interview with Jeremy Gall released earlier last week.

Subscribe to This Week in Hospitality wherever you get you podcasts: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/5oPExA0txHMjEI5Ye13IUy Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-week-in-hospitality/id1849637233 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@ThisWeekinHospitality This week's episode of This Week in Hospitality starts on a deeply human note, with the crew reflecting on the escalating conflict in Iran and the ripple effects being felt across the Middle East and global travel. Edwin, Scott, Ben, and Zach share firsthand accounts from friends and colleagues across Dubai, Kuwait, Doha, Beirut, and beyond — a sobering reminder that hospitality often becomes both refuge and frontline in moments of crisis. From bombed airports to stranded travelers to terrified interns far from home, the conversation grounds the industry in what matters most: people caring for people. From there, the episode pivots hard into one of the biggest questions facing travel right now: what happens when AI stops being a novelty and starts becoming the interface? The panel unpacks Skift's “Claude Effect” thesis — the idea that travel may be next in line for the same investor panic and business-model disruption already hitting legal, finance, and cybersecurity. Ben argues the OTAs are in the blast zone. Scott says the markets always overreact — but something big is clearly coming. Edwin drops a scorching hot take: the real endgame may not be Booking vs. Expedia, but an AI giant partnering with or buying one of them outright. The back half of the episode tackles hotel brand sprawl and whether the industry has finally reached a saturation point. Are soft brands actually helping, or have they become watered-down middle children that confuse consumers and dilute meaning? The crew debates whether AI-powered discovery will make “brand count” irrelevant and force hotel groups to compete on clarity, trust, and true personalization instead. Finally, the episode closes with a fascinating look at Kimpton, one of the rare boutique brands that seems to have scaled without completely losing its soul after acquisition. Scott and Edwin explain why Kimpton has worked when so many others have failed: separate teams, protected identity, and the discipline to let the back-end scale quietly without flattening the front-end experience. Oh, and in true This Week in Hospitality fashion, the episode wraps with a spicy final challenge for the industry: if you're a travel executive talking about AI but not personally using it every day, what exactly are you leading?   This Week in Hospitality is presented to you by Journey. Journey is a loyalty platform built specifically for independent boutique hotels and high-touch hospitality brands. Our mission is to give operators the same powerful rewards engine, data intelligence, and guest insights that major chains rely on — without asking them to give up the individuality, soul, or story that makes their property extraordinary. If you're an owner or operator of an extraordinary, independently owned and operated hotel or residence — and you want to see whether your property is a fit for the Journey Alliance — you can learn more and apply at https://www.journey.com/alliance   Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 — Intro 15:15 — Story #1: AI's “Claude Effect” Comes for Travel Booking 34:53 — Story #2: Have Hotel Soft Brands Hit a Saturation Point? 45:58 — Story #3: Can Kimpton Scale Without Losing Its Soul? 53:12 — Spice of the Week     Your Hosts: Zach Busekrus — Journey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zachbusekrus/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/behindthestays/   Scott Eddy — Global Travel & Hospitality Expert @MrScottEddy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrscotteddy/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscotteddy/   Ben Wolff — Founder of Onera & Oasi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-wolff/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iambenwolff/   Edwin Kramer — Luxury Hotelier Consultant & Former GM LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edwinckramer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/edwinkramer/

In this episode, co-host Mark Lumpkin sits down with Hunter Harrelson of Beachball Properties — one of the most recognizable vacation rental management brands on Alabama's Gulf Coast.Hunter breaks down how he and his wife Ginger bootstrapped from 20 properties to 350+ under management, why brand + local marketing mattered more than trying to market “to the masses,” and how one decision during Covid (refunding guests fast) created massive goodwill that helped fuel their growth.Then we get tactical: Hunter shares the real scaling problems that hit every time you add doors, why “everything breaks every 50 properties,” and how Beachball is solving training and consistency with an internal AI tool called Beach Bot — trained on their SOPs and connected to their PMS to help staff find answers fast.We also dive into a hot industry topic: Airbnb, merchant-of-record rules, and Alabama escrow law, plus what operators should watch as OTAs push for more control.Connect with Hunter / Beachball Properties Website: Beachball.com Email: hunter@beachball.com

Will AI replace OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com?In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – Shahar Goldboim, Founder & CEO of BOOM, reveals how agentic AI will transform the short-term rental (STR) industry across the world.We explore:* What agentic AI actually means for vacation rental hosts* Why AI will become the primary travel discovery engine* How independent hosts can compete with large property managers* Whether OTAs like Airbnb will lose influence* How to get your business cited by AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini* The future of direct bookings, automation, and revenue management* Why the STR tech stack is about to compress* BOOM's new product launch: BAMIf you're an Airbnb host, vacation rental manager, or STR tech founder, this episode will change how you think about distribution, marketing, pricing, and direct bookings in 2026 and beyond.1:15 What is agentic AI?2:06 AI will become the primary discovery function for travel7:59 Dozens of new AI-driven booking channels will emerge 10:59 The playing field will level for independent hosts 13:53 How can businesses get cited by AI large language models like ChatGPT and Gemini?15:13 OTA influence will decline but not disappear 17:17 How advertising is going to change AI platforms 18:47 Automation and revenue management 21:22 The STR tech stack will compress 24:51 Direct booking websites will become AI-first 26:46 Trust will shift from platforms to AI interpreters 29:09 Hosts who prepare now will win big 31:23 BOOM releases BAMLooking 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/Shahar Goldboim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahar-goldboim-80820b95/BOOM: https://www.boomnow.com/Episode to check next: Has Airbnb Peaked? Jamie Lane on Booking.com, Direct Bookings & 2026 Trends: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQBraDVJ1i0The 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 #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #AgenticAI #RevenueManagement #STRTech #AITravel #ShaharGoldboim #BOOM #BAM

Send us a message!Distribution in the vacation rental industry has never been more complex. Property managers today are balancing major OTAs, niche platforms, emerging luxury channels, and an increasingly layered tech stack, all while trying to deliver exceptional guest experiences.In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Blake Warner, CEO of BookingPal, to talk about how distribution is evolving and what it takes to build scalable infrastructure in a rapidly maturing industry.Blake shares how BookingPal operates at the center of the ecosystem, connecting property managers, PMS platforms, and global channels, and offers his perspective on where the industry is heading. The conversation explores how distribution strategies are expanding beyond the traditional OTA landscape, the opportunities emerging in luxury and niche channels, and why technology innovation must balance efficiency with simplicity.Drawing from his background in investment banking and capital markets, Blake also discusses the realities of scaling technology companies in the vacation rental space and why consolidation across the tech landscape may be inevitable.Episode Chapters:03:01 Introducing Blake Warner, CEO of BookingPal03:44 Blake's background in investment banking and capital markets04:26 What BookingPal sees across distribution channels heading into 202606:07 The realities of running a channel management business12:32 New BookingPal features and product developments for 202615:30 Is vacation rental tech getting better or more complex?17:05 The explosion of software tools in the STR tech stack20:03 How many channels the average property manager distributes to21:21 Which distribution channels are gaining traction22:53 Luxury platforms and the blurring lines in the ecosystem24:41 Why helping managers focus on hospitality still matters most28:13 Travel agents, discovery, and how distribution expands the market30:05 Why it's difficult for vacation rental companies to go public35:44 How the industry has evolved since pre-COVIDConnect with Blake:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakewarner/ Website: https://bookingpal.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).

You don't have a marketing problem. You have a branding problem. I know that might sound bold, but after dozens of strategy calls with short-term rental owners and boutique hotel founders, I can tell you this with confidence: most marketing issues are actually brand clarity issues. As we head into peak season, so many of you are thinking about ads, influencers, social posts, email campaigns, SEO. And yes, marketing matters. But if the foundation underneath it isn't solid, none of it will convert the way you want it to. In this episode, I break down the real relationship between branding and marketing and why you cannot have one without the other. Branding is not your logo. It's not your color palette. It's not a Canva mood board. Branding is the emotional connection. It's the lifestyle you're selling. It's the reason someone chooses you instead of another property in the same market. It's where trust is built. It's where loyalty is formed. Marketing, on the other hand, is the action. It's how you distribute that brand into the world. It's social media, email, Pinterest, YouTube, OTAs, paid ads. But without brand clarity, marketing becomes posting and praying. It becomes throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping something sticks. And that's where so many owners get stuck. In this conversation, I walk you through exactly how we approach brand strategy inside our agency. From developing deeply specific audience avatars to crafting mission, vision, core values, positioning, tagline, differentiators, guest experience design, and even the first ten minutes of a stay. Because when branding is dialed in, marketing gets easier. Clearer. More consistent. More profitable. We also talk about the rise of AI in hospitality and why human-centered storytelling matters now more than ever. Hospitality is built on emotion. If your brand doesn't make people feel something, your marketing will struggle to convert. The biggest takeaway? Everything in branding informs marketing. Every email. Every caption. Every touchpoint. Every piece of signage on your property. If you're frustrated that your direct bookings aren't growing the way you hoped, this episode will help you diagnose whether the issue is truly marketing… or if it's time to strengthen the brand foundation underneath it. And if you're ready to build a brand that actually fuels your marketing, you'll want to listen all the way through. Let's get into it. Connect with Steph: @theweberco Apply to work with us: theweberco.com

Short-term rental hosts are waking up to a hard truth: Airbnb and Vrbo bring the bookings, but they keep the guest relationship. In this episode, we sit down with StayFi founder Arthur Colker to unpack how Wi-Fi-based guest data collection can help hosts and property managers build their own brands, drive more direct bookings, and reduce reliance on OTAs. Arthur shares the origin story of StayFi, why Wi-Fi captive portals are such a powerful marketing entry point, and how their built-in email tools turn past guests into repeat, direct bookers. We also dig into real-world results from Pride Away Stays, the launch of StayFinder as a direct-booking meta search tool, and what the future looks like for hosts who truly want to own the guest experience from first click to check-out.Things we discussed in this episode:Hosts lose guest data and relationships when relying on Airbnb/VRBO.StayFi was created to capture guest info for direct bookings.Guests enter emails through a branded Wi‑Fi splash page.StayFi runs on UniFi access points or StayFi Express.Jason and Rory saw stronger Wi‑Fi and fixed a Schlage lock.They clarified why “not secure” Wi‑Fi warnings appear for guests.Automated emails help turn past guests into repeat direct bookers.Availability-based campaigns promote only properties open for specific dates.StayFinder shows OTA vs. direct prices and links to direct sites.StayFi plans managed email services and cheaper mesh hardware.Get in touch with ARTHUR:Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/a.colker/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/a_colker/?hl=enWebsite - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://stayfi.com/#SmartStayShow #realestate #realestateinvestor #realestateagent #RealEstateInvesting #DirectBooking #BookDirect #EmailMarketing #GuestExperience #OwnYourGuest#StayFi #StayFinder #WiFiMarketing #HospitalityTech #PropTechFollow Us!Join Jason Muth of Prideaway Stays and Straightforward Short-Term Rentals and Real Estate Attorney / Broker Rory Gill for the first episode of SmartStay Show!Following and subscribing to SmartStay Show not only ensures that you'll get instant updates whenever we release a new episode, but it also helps us reach more people who could benefit from the valuable content that we provide.

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.

Ed, Rob, and Jeremy took some time from Thursday's BBMS to discuss the ongoing controversy around the idea that Lamar Jackson is 'expected' to be at voluntary OTAs later this spring. OC Declan Doyle seemed to imply that Jackson needs to be present, something head coach Jesse Minter tried to walk back. Do you think he was successful?

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.

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.

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?

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.

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

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

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.