Behind the Stays

Is This the End of Direct Bookings? Everything You Need to Know About Airbnb’s New Off-Platform Policy


Listen Later

In this episode, I’m joined by Arthur Colker, Founder of StayFi, and Philip Kennard, CEO of FutureStay, to unpack one of the most talked-about moves in short-term rental history: Airbnb’s newly sharpened Off-Platform and Fee Transparency Policy.

Depending on who you ask, it’s either a long-overdue consumer protection measure... or a strategic power grab designed to lock in lifetime guest value at all costs.

Arthur and Philip bring firsthand insights — and a healthy dose of reality — to a conversation that’s been fueled by fear, misinformation, and a whole lot of LinkedIn hot takes.

In this episode, we dive deep into:

  • Why this "new" policy might actually be less revolutionary than most hosts realize — and what’s really different this time

  • The two “buckets” Airbnb is focused on: protecting guests (good) and protecting their margins (more complicated)

  • How vague language, selective enforcement, and the threat of guest complaints create a new dynamic hosts must navigate

  • Why operators building brands off-platform shouldn't panic — but should pay attention to regulatory winds (especially in Europe)

  • What might come next: services marketplaces, tighter control over payments, and the looming specter of pricing parity

  • The psychological game: How vague rules might cause small operators to self-police harder than Airbnb could ever enforce

    If you’re a rentalpreneur, a professional operator, or someone who’s betting their future on brand-building in the STR world, this episode is a must-listen.

    We break down not just what’s happening — but what it means for the future of independent hospitality, ownership, and guest relationships in an increasingly walled-garden world.

    Because as Arthur and Philip both point out: the real battle isn’t about moving one booking — it’s about who owns the guest relationship in the long run.

    Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

    Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    Behind the StaysBy Zach Busekrus

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    121 ratings


    More shows like Behind the Stays

    View all
    Creating Wealth Real Estate Investing with Jason Hartman by Jason Hartman

    Creating Wealth Real Estate Investing with Jason Hartman

    538 Listeners

    Entrepreneurs on Fire by John Lee Dumas of EOFire

    Entrepreneurs on Fire

    3,824 Listeners

    BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast by BiggerPockets

    BiggerPockets Real Estate Podcast

    16,810 Listeners

    The GaryVee Audio Experience by Gary Vaynerchuk

    The GaryVee Audio Experience

    16,807 Listeners

    Main Street Business by Mark J Kohler and Mat Sorensen

    Main Street Business

    587 Listeners

    Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast by Hall CPA

    Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast

    420 Listeners

    BiggerPockets Money Podcast by BiggerPockets

    BiggerPockets Money Podcast

    3,070 Listeners

    Thanks For Visiting by Airbnb Superhosts Annette Grant & Sarah Karakaian

    Thanks For Visiting

    578 Listeners

    Real Estate Rookie by BiggerPockets

    Real Estate Rookie

    1,824 Listeners

    Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast by MICHAEL SJOGREN

    Short Term Rental Secrets Podcast

    123 Listeners

    The Unique Hospitality Podcast by Glampitect North America

    The Unique Hospitality Podcast

    22 Listeners

    The Short Term Show by 8 Figure Airbnb and Short Term Rental Real Estate Investor Avery Carl

    The Short Term Show

    435 Listeners

    Action Academy | Replace The Job You Hate With A Life You Love by Brian Luebben

    Action Academy | Replace The Job You Hate With A Life You Love

    661 Listeners

    The Rich Somers Report by Rich Somers

    The Rich Somers Report

    924 Listeners

    The BetterLife Podcast: Wealth | Real Estate Investing | Life by Brandon Turner & Cam Cathcart

    The BetterLife Podcast: Wealth | Real Estate Investing | Life

    819 Listeners