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Dami Okedara from Search and Stay is the special guest on today’s Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast.

Dami shares the story of Search and Stay – a commission-free (for hosts) online travel agency based in Australia.

During this episode, learn:

·       Why hosts should list on Search and Stay

·       How to use SEO to boost your listings

·       Why you need to utilise data and set seasonal rates 

·       The importance of outstanding photography

Dami picked Interhome for his favourite brand and gave the Search and Stay Founder, plus HCH Founder, James Varley, a special shout-out.

4:19 Dami’s journey in the short-term rentals world

5:05 The story of Search and Stay

6.37 How Search and Stay stands out 

7:27 The future for Search and Stay: international growth

8:18 Why hosts should list on Search and Stay (zero commission!)

10:56 Removing commission fees for hosts 

12:34 How to upload your rentals to Search and Stay

14:12 How you can utilise SEO to boost your listings

16:08 Head to www.searchandstay.com for further details

17:14 Top hosting tips: utilise data and set seasonal rates 

18:50 Eye-catching photography is crucial

20:31 STR trends to look out for

21:45 Favourite brand: Interhome

22:50 Individual shout-out: Search and Stay Founder and HCH Founder, James Varley (very kind!)

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Dami Okedara: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dami-okedara-head-of-sales-7146292b0/

Search and Stay: https://www.searchandstay.com/

Sponsor links:

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

RentalWise: https://www.rentalwise.com/

Sustonica: https://www.sustonica.com/

Smiling House Luxury: https://smilinghouse.ch/

Orana Stay: https://www.oranastay.com/

Mentions:

Interhome: https://www.interhome.co.uk/

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Vanessa de Souza Lage, CEO and Co-Founder of Sustonica, is the special guest on today’s Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast.

From property management in Rome to setting up Rentals United and eventually founding Sustonica, Vanessa is a trailblazer in the short-term rentals space.

During this episode, learn:

·       Why Sustonica is making a difference in the STR space

·       How to achieve sustainability certification for your rental

·       The advantages of earning certification

·       The simple things you can do to be more sustainable 

·       Why we need more education about sustainability 

Vanessa picked Enso Connect for her favourite brand and gave Cristiana Carpini a special shout-out.

4:31 Vanessa’s story in the STR industry

7:27 Top tips for hosts and property managers

10:11 How the STR industry has developed since Rentals United was launched 

13:54 The elevator pitch for Sustonica

17:06 How to earn sustainability certification (it’s simpler than you think)

20:58 The advantages of earning sustainability certification

22:34 The cost and further information 

23:47 Guests are looking to stay at eco-friendly rentals

24:26 The simple things you can do to be more sustainable 

28:20 More education is needed to help people implement sustainability

30:56 What would you say to hosts who say they don’t have the time or money for sustainability?

34:31 Favourite brand: Enso Connect

35:04 Individual shout-out: Cristiana Carpini

35:52 No. 1 lesson learned since founding Sustonica 

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Vanessa de Souza Lage: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessadesouzalage/

Sustonica: https://www.sustonica.com/

Sponsor links:

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

RentalWise: https://www.rentalwise.com/

Sustonica: https://www.sustonica.com/

Orana Stay: https://www.oranastay.com/

Mentions:

EnviroRental: https://envirorental.earth/

Enso Connect: https://ensoconnect.com/

Cristiana Carpini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristiana-carpini-40b65413/

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Matt Landau, Founder of www.VRMB.com, is the special guest on today’s Holiday Cottage Handbook Podcast.

The episode traverses the joy of travel, breaking up gang violence in Panama(!), hosting tips, guest emotions, eco-friendly rentals, AI, direct bookings, regulation, and much more.

Matt picked Inhabit for his favourite brand and gave Valerie Gangas from Juniper Holiday + Home a special shout-out.

4:48 Matt’s story begins with a love for travel

11:43 Dealing with gang violence in Panama

15:31 The elevator pitch for VRMB.com

19:25 How to be a brilliant host

24:06 Guest emotions are important 

28:15 Are guests demanding eco-friendly rentals?

29:36 How is AI changing the industry?

32:14 Are direct bookings the be-all and end-all?

35:32 Matt’s message to political leaders about STR regulation

45:43 Favourite brand: Inhabit

50:01 Individual shout-out: Valerie Gangas from Juniper Holiday + Home

52:02 No. 1 piece of advice: don’t do it! 

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Matt Landau: https://www.linkedin.com/in/landaumatt/

VRMB.com: https://www.vrmb.com/

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Sponsor links:

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Sustonica: https://www.sustonica.com/

RentalWise: https://www.rentalwise.com/

Mentions:

Inhabit: https://inhabit.com/

Valerie Gangas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-gangas/

Juniper Holiday + Home: https://www.juniperholidayandhome.com/

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Alex Caravitis, CEO and Co-Founder of Hosthub, is the special guest on today’s show.

Find out more about one of the top-rated property management solutions on the market, plus discover 2024 trends and various hosting tips.

Listen in to learn:

·       Why professionalisation is the leading trend

·       How AI can supercharge your guest communication

·       The benefits of having a direct booking channel

·       How Hosthub can take your business to the next level 

·       Hosthub’s AI assistant takes the stress out of guest communication

Alex picked Tourmie as his favourite brand and gave a special shout-out to Marcus Rader from Hostaway.

Hosthub offers a 14-day free trial and 30% off for Holiday Cottage Handbook readers! Hosthub's team will set you up and get you synced with zero effort on your side. Benefit from world-class partners and take your vacation rental business to the next level. 

3:41 2024 is tracking up compared to last year 

4:36 Demand remains strong for short-term rentals 

5:06 What we should call our industry 

7:08 What we can do to ensure any regulation is fair and equitable 

9:03 Key trends in the industry: professionalisation is number one 

11:58 How to ensure success in 2024

14:48 AI can help to supercharge your guest communication

16:23 Why you need a direct booking channel 

19:11 Advice to hosts who are worried about running a website

20:56 The elevator pitch for Hosthub

23:03 The key things Hosthub can help hosts and property managers achieve

25:06 Hosthub’s AI assistant answers guest questions 

28:59 Favourite brand: Tourmie

29:43 Individual shout-out: Marcus Rader from Hostaway

30:26 No. 1 lesson learned since co-founding Hosthub

Links:

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Alex Caravitis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandercaravitis/

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Mentions:

Tourmie: https://tourmie.com/

Marcus Rader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingmarcus/

Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/

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Alistair Handyside, Executive Chair of the Professional Association of Self Caterers (PASC UK), is the special guest on today’s show.

Alistair discusses his story in the industry – from software development all the way through to launching PASC UK, via holiday rentals near Silverstone, setting up in Devon, and playing a key role in the growth of Premier Cottages.

Listen in to learn:

·       Property management and guest experience tips

·       How PASC UK helps hosts and managers 

·       What PASC UK is doing in response to the spring budget 

·       Why the UK government needs data

·       What Alistair would say to our political leaders 

Alistair picked Touch Stay as his favourite brand and gave special shout-outs to Robert Kennedy, from SuperControl, and Richard Vaughton, from Yes Consulting.

3:55 Alistair’s story: from software to Silverstone

5:30 Setting up in Devon

7:20 Property management tips 

9:57 How to deliver a great guest experience 

11:38 Biggest lessons learned

13:29 Premier Cottages and setting up PASC UK

16:58 COVID-19 was a game-changer for PASC UK

20:46 PASC UK: support for people with one property or hundreds 

22:15 Reaction to the spring budget 

26:06 It is unclear what the abolition of furnished holiday lettings tax regime means

28:57 A change of government might move the goalposts again 

30:04 The government needs data

33:04 What Alistair would say to politicians

35:30 Is the STR industry stopping first-time buyers from buying property?

37:37 How can we avoid being an easy target for the media and politicians?

39:39 PASC UK’s lobbying efforts

40:56 Favourite brand: Touch Stay 

41:45 Individual shout-outs: Robert Kennedy and Richard Vaughton

43:20 Advice to people worried about the spring budget 

Links:

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the FHL tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

E-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Alistair Handyside: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistair-handyside-mbe-4170b216/

PASC UK: https://www.pascuk.co.uk/

Premier Cottages: https://www.premiercottages.co.uk/

Higher Wiscombe: https://www.higherwiscombe.com/

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Mentions:

Robert Kennedy: https://supercontrol.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team

Richard Vaughton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardvaughton/

Touch Stay: https://touchstay.com/?utm_source=HolidayCottageHandbook&utm_medium=email+social&utm_campaign=airbnb

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Tyann Marcink Hammond – Touch Stay’s Queen of Guest Experience – is the special guest on today’s show.

Learn:

• How to deal with guest expectations
• How often you should communicate with guests 
• How great communications can help you get better reviews and more direct bookings 
• How to ask for a great review
• The trends hosts and property managers need to be aware of
• Offering the right upsells for your rental 

Tyann picked Conrad O’Connell and BuildUp Bookings for her favourite brand, and gave Amber Erickson-Hurdle a special individual shout-out.

Special offer!

Use code HCH10 to get 10% off your first annual subscription with Touch Stay (offer valid until 30 June 2024).

3:38 Starting out with family one-upmanship

6:44 In the early days, people sent cheques through the post 

9:06 How to deal with ever-rising guest expectations 

11:41 How a Touch Stay digital guidebook can amaze your guests

13:47 How to sign up for Touch Stay 

17:01 Guests love Touch Stay – and often mention it in reviews

19:44 How often you should communicate and when 

22:56 How communications can help you get better reviews and more direct bookings 

24:50 Asking for a review can help you get top marks every time

25:41 The big trends: experiential and transformative travel

27:47 The upsells you can offer and how Touch Stay can help to market them

29:27 No 1 piece of advice: quality and timely communication 

31:16 Individual shout-out: Amber Erickson Hurdle 

32:06 No 1 lesson learned from being an experienced host: use white linens and towels

32:48 Favourite brand in the STR space: Conrad O’Connell and BuildUp Bookings 

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Tyann Marcink Hammond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyannmarcink/

Touch Stay: https://touchstay.com/?utm_source=HolidayCottageHandbook&utm_medium=email+social&utm_campaign=airbnb

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Mentions:

Amber Erickson-Hurdle: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theamberhurdle/

Conrad O’Connell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradoconnell/

BuildUp Bookings: https://www.buildupbookings.com/

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Louis Andrews, President and Director, OVO Network France, is the special guest on today’s show – and he has plenty of tips and advice to share with our audience.

Learn:

·       How to keep guests and owners happy.

·       Why it’s important to concentrate on your niche and master it.

·       How to secure more direct bookings.

·       How to achieve great reviews.

·       Key trends in the industry.

·       Who the Leonardo Di Caprio and Brad Pitt of the short-term rentals industry are.

Louis also talks about sustainability, the prospect of regulation, and how to advocate for the STR sector.

He picked Plum Guide and Le Collectionist for his favourite brands, and gave Richard Vaughton and the entire OVO Network team a special shout-out.

3:36 Becoming part of the STR industry at a young age

6:48 The elevator pitch for OVO Network

9:29 Keeping guests and owners happy

13:28 What hosts and property managers can learn from OVO Network

18:13 How to secure more direct bookings

23:16 How to achieve great reviews

26:50 Challenges and opportunities in the STR space: sustainability and regulation

34:18 Talking up the STR industry

35:19 Key trends hosts and property managers need to be aware of

36:56 Favourite brands: Plum Guide and Le Collectionist 

38:34 Individual shout-outs: Richard Vaughton and the OVO Network team

40:10 No. 1 lesson learned from being President and Director of OVO Network France

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Louis Andrews: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louis-jacques-andrews/

OVO Network: https://www.ovonetwork.com/en/home

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]m

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Mentions:

Plum Guide: https://www.plumguide.com/

Le Collectionist: https://www.lecollectionist.com/en

Richard Vaughton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardvaughton/

Simon Lehmann: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/

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Carlos Perez-Lanzac, the Founder of Vitur Summit and Caleta Homes, is the special guest on today's show.

Carlos talks about the upcoming Vitur Summit, which will be held in Malaga, Spain, on 8-9 May. He also discusses his career in the short-term rentals space, including scaling Caleta Homes.

As well as sharing a number of tips for hosts and property managers, Carlos gives special shout-outs to Bob W (favourite brand) and Eduardo Botelho Miranda (individual mention).

4:34 Carlos’s journey in the short-term rentals industry

7:54 Vitur Summit 2024

10:29 The key topics at this year’s summit

15:11 Who should attend the summit

16:08 Legislators need to take a long-term view and be brave

19:33 Gathering data about the STR sector is imperative 

22:24 The story so far in 2024

24:13 Top tips for property managers who want to scale

25:21 Top tips for delivering a great guest experience

26:15 Top tips for people starting out 

29:50 Head to www.vitursummit.com for ticket details and use code HCHVITUR24 for a special discount

30:44 Favourite brand shout-out: Bob W

31:25 Individual shout-out: Eduardo Botelho Miranda, Chairman, European Holiday Home Association

32:48 No. 1 lesson learned: keep fighting, persevere, and stay passionate

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Carlos Perez-Lanzac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlosperezlanzac/ 

Vitur Summit: https://www.vitursummit.com/?lang=en

Caleta Homes: https://www.caletahomes.com/en/

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Download your free e-ticket for Holiday Cottage Handbook LIVE: https://rb.gy/y61j8q

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]m

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Touch Stay: https://rb.gy/gumxlu

Sustonica: https://rb.gy/buf9p5

RentalWise: https://tinyurl.com/yx4avcz3

Mentions:

Bob W: https://bobw.co/

Eduardo Botelho Miranda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardobotelhomiranda/

European Holiday Home Association: https://ehha.eu/

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Hostaway Founder and CEO Marcus Rader is the special guest on today’s show, and he has plenty to say about the STR industry, particularly the property management software (PMS) space.

Learn about his journey – from frustrated employee to CEO of one of the biggest tech solutions in the business.

Marcus outlines his key predictions for 2024 and shares a bunch of tips for hosts and property managers, discusses the standardisation of the industry, and talks about ever-increasing guest expectations.

Marcus picked three leading dynamic pricing tools for his favourite brand shout-outs: Beyond, Wheelhouse, and PriceLabs. He also had kind words for Boostly’s Mark Simpson, and Frontdesk’s Jesse DePinto.

4:47 Realising his full potential with Hostaway

9:40 Why should hosts and property managers be using Hostaway?

11:07 Why hosts with a small number of properties should use a PMS

12:56 Why Hostaway will become the market-leading PMS

15:01 Head to www.hostaway.com for further details 

15:42 Where the short-term rentals industry is heading in 2024

17:47 What’s going to happen in the PMS space?

20:23 Top tips for hosts and property managers 

23:19 Key trend: the standardisation of short-term rentals 

25:23 Managing guest expectations (more coffee, more bedsheets, more towels!)

27:46 Favourite brands in the STR industry: Beyond, Wheelhouse, PriceLabs, and Mark Simpson

29:39 Individual shout-out: Jesse DePinto from Frontdesk

30:44 No. 1 piece of advice to people starting out in the STR space: focus on property owners

 Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

HCH website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

E-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Marcus Rader: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketingmarcus/

Hostaway: https://www.hostaway.com/

Petition to reverse plans to abolish the FHL tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Download free e-ticket for Holiday Cottage Handbook LIVE: https://rb.gy/y61j8q

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]

Hosthub: www.hosthub.com/hch

Touch Stay: https://rb.gy/gumxlu

Sustonica: https://rb.gy/buf9p5

RentalWise: https://tinyurl.com/yx4avcz3

Mentions:

Beyond: https://shorturl.at/acEH2

Wheelhouse: https://www.usewheelhouse.com/

PriceLabs: www.pricelabs.co

Mark Simpson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrmarksimpson/

Boostly: https://boostly.co.uk/

Jesse DePinto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessedepinto/

Frontdesk: https://www.stayfrontdesk.com/

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We are learning from the luxury vacation rentals industry during this episode featuring Doron Meyassed, Founder and CEO of Plum Guide.

Learn why Plum Guide is home to one of the most meticulous vetting processes in the industry – which leads to 97% of properties being rejected by the platform.

Doron outlines why Plum Guide is brutally honest about every rental and what every host and property manager can learn from the luxury sector. He also talks about 2024 trends, including the fact guests are much more price conscious this year.

Doron’s favourite brand shout-outs went to Air Peace of Mind and Le Collectionist, while two former Plum Guide employees, Laura Iglesias and Jess Scott, earned his individual mentions.

4:53 The vision and development of Plum Guide 

7:20 Scaling the platform after 99% of enquiries were ‘frustrated searches’ 

8:14 The vetting process, brutally honest descriptions, and quickly removing underperforming rentals 

11:50 How Plum Guide will be utilising AI to vet properties

16:05 Managing guest expectations with honest listings 

19:25 The importance of honest and actionable reviews

20:39 The constant tension of accepting only a small number of properties 

22:29 Knowing your customer is everything 

24:13 The future for Plum Guide

25:23 What hosts can learn from Plum Guide

28:28 Short-term rental trends in 2024

30:31 Favourite brands in the STR space: Air Peace of Mind and Le Collectionist 

31:09 Laura Iglesias and Jess Scott

31:40 Number one learning: think long term 

Links:

James Varley: https://shorturl.at/rstAB

Holiday Cottage Handbook website: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free newsletter: https://shorturl.at/xLMRY

Free e-book: https://shorturl.at/imtW6

Survey: https://shorturl.at/axOV6

Doron Meyassed: https://shorturl.at/aDQ56

Plum Guide: https://rb.gy/dorwv9

Petition to reverse government plans to abolish the furnished holiday lettings tax regime: https://rb.gy/u0n35j

Download your free e-ticket for Holiday Cottage Handbook LIVE: https://rb.gy/y61j8q

Sponsor links:

HCH Financial Services: https://www.hchfs.com/ Call: 0333 1234 536 Email: [email protected]m

Hosthub: https://tinyurl.com/4sr5pecz

Touch Stay: https://rb.gy/gumxlu

Sustonica: https://rb.gy/buf9p5

RentalWise: https://tinyurl.com/yx4avcz3

Mentions:

Air Peace of Mind: https://tinyurl.com/mr2ky5n6

Le Collectionist: https://tinyurl.com/mr3wpsbz

Laura Iglesias: https://tinyurl.com/n48zevs5

Jess Scott: https://tinyurl.com/3ump4z5d

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Email the show: [email protected]