In this episode, Stuart Butler explains why short-term rentals often aren’t part of DMO conversations by default. Not because they don’t matter, but because the system tends to respond to organized stakeholders. When STRs are fragmented, it’s hard to know who represents them, what they’re asking for, and how they…
Many DMOs still treat short-term rentals like a separate lane. For a lot of travelers, especially families, they’re the option that makes the trip work. And even when STR guests don’t book hotels, they still drive the outcomes destinations care about: ✨ Longer stays and bigger groups ✨ Local spend…
AI is changing the way travelers search, compare, and book vacation rentals. But what does that mean for direct bookings, local brands, and the websites operators have spent years building? In this episode, we are joined by Richard Vaughton of Yes Consulting and Mark Simpson of Boostly for The Great…
In this episode, we’re joined by Nir Maimon, President of The Maimon Group, to talk about what luxury should really mean in vacation rentals, and why the industry starts losing trust when the label is used without real standards. We cover: 1️⃣ Why the word “luxury” gets misused across the…
In this episode, Alex & Annie sit down with Krista Goodrich and Kymberlee Nguyen, the duo behind Salty Dog Vacations, to talk about what it really takes to build a vacation rental company that guests remember and a team that is proud to be part of it. They share how…
Vacation brain is real. 🌴🧠 And sometimes, guests find very creative ways to use amenities for things they were absolutely not meant for. In this clip from Pour Decisions: When Stays Go Sideways, Amanda Martins of Safely shares one of those stories that starts funny, gets confusing, and quickly turns…
Revenue strategy does not happen on autopilot. Markets shift, booking windows move, owners ask harder questions, and guests become more price sensitive. For vacation rental managers, that means the strategy that worked last month may need a second look today. That’s exactly what we dig into in Revenue Reality Check,…
When an owner asks, “Can you send me more details?” they may be asking for more than information. They may be asking: Do you have this under control? In Episode 3 of Pour Decisions: When Stays Go Sideways, presented by Safely, we are joined by Amanda Martins and Rachel Alday…
What can hospitality teach us about becoming better leaders? After nearly two decades in luxury vacation rentals, Rachel Alday, Co-Founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, is bringing the lessons she's learned into her new book, Please Do Disturb: How True Leaders Show Up When It Matters Most, co-authored with Linny Jones…
Check Rachel's Book here: https://promo.porchlightbooks.com/pages/promotions/pleasedodisturbps? What can nearly two decades in luxury vacation rentals teach us about great leadership? Rachel Alday, Co-founder of Abode Luxury Rentals, joins Alex & Annie to discuss the launch of her new book, Please Do Disturb: How True Leaders Show Up When It Matters Most,…
A polished AI report is only as reliable as the data behind it. 📊 For vacation rental operators, that presents a real challenge. Your PMS, revenue management platform, and accounting software can all report different numbers, making it difficult to get a clear picture of your business. As more operators…
⭐ Get to know CraftedStays, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! CraftedStays helps vacation rental operators build conversion-focused direct booking websites designed to improve search visibility, attract travelers, and generate more reservations. In this Signature Story, Chris Petzy of Seacoast 2 Summit Vacation Rentals shares his experience working with…
⭐ Discover CiiRUS, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! CiiRUS is an all-in-one vacation rental property management platform designed to help professional managers streamline operations and grow their businesses. From reservations and channel management to trust accounting, guest communication, and owner management, CiiRUS brings essential tools into one connected…
⭐ Discover dormakaba, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! dormakaba provides secure access solutions for vacation rentals, helping property managers simplify how guests, staff, and vendors access their properties. With keyless entry, remote access management, and flexible access credentials, dormakaba helps operators streamline check-ins, improve property security, and manage…
⭐ Discover Breezeway, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! Breezeway is a property operations and guest experience platform that helps vacation rental managers streamline daily workflows, coordinate teams, and maintain high property standards. From housekeeping and maintenance to inspections, task scheduling, and guest messaging, Breezeway helps operators manage their…
⭐ Discover InterCoastal Net Designs (ICND), featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! ICND specializes in vacation rental website development and digital marketing, helping property management companies strengthen their online presence and increase direct bookings. With expertise in website development, SEO, paid advertising, and conversion optimization, ICND provides digital solutions…
⭐ Discover CraftedStays, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! CraftedStays helps vacation rental operators build professional, conversion-focused direct booking websites designed to attract more guests and generate bookings. With PMS integrations, AI-powered website tools, and a focus on search visibility, CraftedStays helps property managers strengthen their online presence and…
⭐ Get to know Savvy, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! Savvy is a direct-booking marketplace that connects travelers with professionally managed vacation rentals, helping operators expand their reach while maintaining control over their bookings and guest relationships. In this Signature Story, Mike Norde highlights Savvy's approach to supporting…
⭐ Discover Savvy, featured on the Alex & Annie Podcast! Savvy is a direct-booking marketplace built for professional vacation rental property managers. It connects travelers with professionally managed properties while giving operators control over their pricing, bookings, and guest relationships. Learn how Savvy is helping make professionally managed vacation rentals…
⭐ We’re excited to welcome Vacation Finder as one of our sponsors! Vacation Finder is a vacation rental listing platform built by vacation rental managers, for vacation rental managers. It exclusively features professionally managed properties, helping operators reach more travelers while maintaining control over their pricing, policies, and guest relationships.…
Your property management system says one thing. Your revenue management platform says another. Your accounting reports tell a different story. So which numbers can you actually trust? As AI becomes more integrated into vacation rental operations, inconsistent data across systems can lead to misleading reports, unreliable AI insights, and costly…
Protecting homeowners' investments is one of the biggest responsibilities property managers carry. But when guests cause damage, recovering those costs through booking platforms isn't always straightforward. In this clip from Pour Decisions: When Stays Go Sideways, Ali Chaney of 30A Beach Stays & Vacations shares what made her rethink her…
When a guest books a vacation rental through an OTA, whose brand actually gets remembered? 👀 The spotlight usually goes to the OTA, leaving property managers with limited opportunities to showcase their own brands. In this clip, Michelle Gilliland, VP of Sales at Savvy, explains why giving property managers greater…
Even the most carefully managed luxury properties can fall victim to guests who make some very questionable decisions. And when the damage is done, who actually pays for it? In Episode 4 of **Pour Decisions: When Stays Go Sideways**, presented by Safely, we are joined by **Alexandra “Ali” Chaney of…