The Guest Cast

In this episode of the Guest Cast, Andy and Tyann talk to travel journalist and content creator, Jill Starley-Grainger.

In this "illuminating" episode (expect more puns like this...!), Jill talks about her wealth of travel experiences - and how there's a pet peeve she runs into time and time again... bad lighting. 

Join Andy, Tyann and Jill as they share several different "bad lighting" experiences, and discuss  how something so seemingly small can have such a profound effect on guest experience. 

 

In this Aha-moment episode, Vacation Rental leader and Co-Founder of Vacation Rental Formula, Heather Bayer shares a story on how she became the "Bunkbed Baddie!"

Listen first hand about the importance of making sure your guests know when you make a change to your property... because you never know what they're counting on having in their property!

This week, Andy and Tyann speak to Amber Hurdle, public speaker, author and vacation rental industry influencer.

Amber talks about how a journey to Europe to connect with her Italian heritage left her feeling completely at home - even though she'd never even been to Italy before! 

While Ambers' story starts with a deep longing to understand herself better through her ancestors, it unfolds into a conversation about ways vacation rental owners can tap into the history of their guests.

She suggests that by focusing on the heritage, background and history of a property or area, hosts can provide a unique stay that evokes a far more compelling guest experience - and make you stand out of the vacation rental crowd.

And - Tyann again challenges you to find the special, historical or cultural experience that is local to you - and make sure your guests know about it!  

 

This week, we're back to our A-ha moments, and the Queen of Guest Experience herself is sharing some of her thoughts. 

Tyann talks about the importance of giving yourself some grace when it comes to opening a new vacation rental - after all, not even the 5 star hotels get it right every time. 

 

In this episode, our very own Touch Stay CTO Drew Pearson talks about two of his life changing trips to Italy - one where he to proposed to his wife, and another when he returned with his family some years later.

He talks openly and lovingly about how his love of Travel writer, Rick Steves, influenced the way he travels. He explains how he chooses not to follow the tourist routes "just because" and instead, following his own interests, resulting in far more fulfilling, and memorable experiences

In this episode, Tyann, Andy and Drew talk about how hosts can help their guests achieve this kind of experience. Tyann even challenges hosts to create a list of ways that guests can avoid the tourist traps and feel more Spanish, Italian - or, in Tyann's case, Missourian ;). 

This week, we're bringing you a super short snippet - an "aha" moment from the Touch Stay team about something they've learnt about guest experience. 

This week we're hearing from Touch Stay's CMO, Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies.

Last year, Kate played vacation rental host for the first time, and learnt the hard way about why assuming her guests had understood how equipped her home was, wasn't good for her - or them!

And we'll be back next week with another guest story! 

In this episode of the Guest Case, hospitality expert and influencer Will Slicker talks to Tyann and Andy about his extensive experiences staying in hotels and short-term rentals.

Touching on how he feels that the hotel guest experience is dwindling, Will, Andy, and Tyann discuss what short-term rental operators can do to help keep the guest experience alive - not just during the more challenging times of covid, but on an ongoing basis.

Listen in as they discuss everything from the importance of branding and how well your photos represent your accommodation, to the importance of health and safety - and how the latter of that list often receives less focus than it should.

You can find out more about Will by following him on LinkedIn, heading to his directing booking website and you can even listen to his podcast The Slick Talk.

Kelly McMann is the Director of Guest Services for Host Pros (as well as a radio DJ!) and in her words, it’s her job is to “keep guests happy” – something we can relate to, here at Touch Stay.

In this episode of the Guest Cast, Kelly talks about a trip to Thailand where a charismatic host made a lasting impression with his cooking class. In fact, she liked his cooking experience so much, she even signed up for one of his remote cooking classes later in the year, reliving one of her favourite parts of her trip months later. That’s some impressive hosting!

Join Tyann, Andy, and Kelly as they all draw in on their own experience of what it means to make guests happy – and how while automation has its place, personalisation (from printing dog names on dog bones to helping guests plunge toilets over the phone) will always be king.

This week, we’re taking a look back on some of our favourite guest stories from 2021 - with snippets from guests such as:

• Co-founder of SparkToro and Moz, Rand Fishin
• HR influencer Gethin Nadin
• Editor of Behind the Shutter, Alissa Cincotta
• Speaker and Solutions Advocate for the travel industry, Johana Haugen
• and the adventurous travel bloggers, Dave and Deb from Planet D.

You can listen to all our podcast episodes at touchstay.com/podcast

 

In this episode of the Guest Cast, VR guru Jasper Ribber discusses his stand-out experiences as a guest, which always find a balance of professional efficiency and quirky warmth.

A detailed check-in process in Singapore took the stress out of Jasper's trip before he'd even arrived in the country. Other trips, to Central and South America, stood out because of the enthusiasm of the local hospitality culture - Jasper's hosts really wanted him to have a wonderful experience. 

Join Jasper, Andy, and Tyann as they discuss the joys and the challenges of catering to modern vacation rental guests. They touch on how hosts can be both unique and professional at the same time - while highlighting the necessity of defining, and meeting the needs of, your "guest avatar".