In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, David Stephens, lead data scientist at TravelNet Solutions, cuts through the AI hype to share what short-term rental operators really need to know. From guest messaging and marketing to revenue management and sentiment analysis, Stephens explains where AI adds true value and where it still needs a human touch. He also offers key questions to ask before adopting any AI tool and compares cutting-edge “thinking” models to today’s more common AI applications.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, VRMA Board Chair Jodi Refosco sits down with Tiffany Edwards of Weatherby Consulting to discuss the formation of VRMA’s new Government Affairs Council and what it means for the vacation rental industry. They explore why the council was created, how it consolidates previous advocacy committees, and what major regulatory challenges it aims to address, including housing affordability, tourism taxes, and commercial classification. Edwards also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the council’s structure, funding strategy, and how VRMA members can get involved, donate, and shape the industry’s future.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Onita Mihaly, senior director of brand marketing at Ooma, discusses the company's role in improving short-term rental (STR) safety with its VoIP-based landline service.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, host Jodi Refosco, VRMA Board chair, is joined by Tim Cafferty (Sandbridge Blue & Outer Banks Blue) and Tyann Marcink Hammond (Branson Family Retreats) to preview VRMA Foundations, taking place April 14-15 in Savannah, Georgia.

Unlike traditional conferences, Foundations is a brand-new event built from the ground up to deliver hands-on, targeted training for frontline staff, operations teams, and emerging leaders in the vacation rental industry. With longer, in-depth sessions and three focused tracks—Office, Field, and Team—attendees will walk away with practical skills and immediate takeaways.

Tune in to hear what makes this event unique, who should attend, can’t-miss sessions (yes, there’s one on pools and hot tubs!), and why Savannah is the perfect backdrop.

In this VRMA Arrival podcast episode, Marcus Rader, CEO of Hostaway, shared the company’s impressive growth since 2022, which is the last time we had Rader on the podcast, including securing a $365 million investment and expanding its product offerings. Hostaway has evolved into a multiproduct, all-in-one solution for short-term rental property managers, driven by customer feedback and innovation.

Rader highlighted the role of AI in optimizing guest communication, enhancing property listings, and improving operations. He also discussed the company’s international expansion into France, Spain, and Italy, leveraging its European roots to localize offerings and strengthen its market presence.

Amid industry consolidation, Rader emphasized Hostaway’s competitive edge, citing customer satisfaction and glowing reviews. Looking ahead, he envisions further growth through innovation and a focus on delivering exceptional value to property managers.

On the latest episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Bart-Jan Leyts, the 25-year-old founder of Otamiser, shared his insights into optimizing OTA rankings for short-term rentals (STRs) and hotels. Based in Ghent, Belgium, Otamiser has grown rapidly since its launch three years ago, recently introducing a cutting-edge tool called Autorank. Designed specifically for STRs, Autorank automates listing updates to align with ever-changing algorithms on platforms like Airbnb, helping property managers increase visibility, bookings, and guest satisfaction.

Leyts explained that many property managers neglect their listings after the initial setup, leading to poor rankings over time. Tools like Autorank address this by automating adjustments, such as selecting impactful photos or refining descriptions, all based on data rather than guesswork. He emphasized that regional nuances also play a role; for instance, in Aruba, where pools are common, simply showcasing a pool is no longer a competitive advantage.

With $3 million in recent funding, Otamiser is set to expand Autorank’s reach and enhance its hotel-focused products. Leyts also reflected on industry trends, predicting that dynamic pricing tools will become more strategically vital and sharing his belief that OTAs will continue to dominate over direct bookings due to their scalability and efficiency.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, Matthew Gurley, director of sales and partner integrations at Lynnbrook, discusses the growing issue of credit card fraud in the vacation rental industry and the strategies property managers can implement to protect themselves. Gurley explains how fraudsters target vacation rental companies, especially smaller or independent operators with less robust security measures. He shares examples of fraud schemes, including bot attacks that test stolen credit cards and instances where fraudsters book luxury rentals to commit theft or illegal activities.

Gurley emphasizes the importance of two-factor authentication (2FA) as a simple yet effective tool to prevent fraud. He explains Lynnbrook’s post-booking 2FA system, which verifies the identity of guests by matching reservation data with public phone records. This system has significantly reduced fraud without disrupting the guest experience.

He also highlights other protective measures, such as background checks, ID verification, and using automated tools to reduce the risk of fraud. Gurley acknowledges that while AI and other technologies are advancing to catch fraudsters, the criminals themselves are also evolving, using techniques like Photoshop and voice modulators.

The episode provides practical advice for vacation rental managers, stressing the importance of staying vigilant and leveraging available technology to mitigate the risk of fraud.

In this episode, David Angotti, chief evangelist at Guesty, discusses the evolving landscape of the vacation rental industry. He explores the rise of unique, high-end rental properties popularized by Airbnb and how property managers can differentiate themselves by delivering personalized guest experiences. Angotti highlights the importance of leveraging technology, empowering staff, and maintaining a human connection in an industry driven by customer satisfaction. He also emphasizes the need for scalable training processes and strategic use of social media to build lasting relationships with guests. With a focus on blending technology and the human touch, Angotti outlines the future of the vacation rental space.

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival podcast, we delve into the journey and insights of Pierre-Camille Hamana, the founder and CEO of Hospitable. Hospitable is a company dedicated to providing software solutions for property managers and hosts in the short-term rental industry.

In the episode, Hamana shares his background and journey to founding Hospitable. Originally trained as a lawyer, his entry into the property management software space was driven by personal necessity when he started renting out his apartment on Airbnb.

Hospitable began as a solution to automate guest communication and has evolved over eight years to support 15,000 customers, mainly hosts with fewer than seven properties. The company’s core mission is to save time for property managers and hosts, allowing them to focus on enhancing guest experiences and spending time with loved ones.

Hospitable has always prioritized AI, aiming to simplify and automate the complexities of property management. This approach has seen significant advancements over the past two years, enabling more efficient operations for users.

Hospitable Connect is a new feature designed to reduce the perceived risks and complexities of connecting with software for property owners and self-managers. It allows hosts to integrate with OTAs (online travel agencies) like Airbnb and Vrbo without altering their existing experiences. This solution lowers the barrier for hosts to adopt software and enhances their operational efficiency.

The goal of Hospitable Connect is to professionalize the short-term rental industry by making advanced software solutions accessible to all, not just large property management companies. Hamana emphasizes the importance of integration and connectivity, advocating for a more inclusive approach that benefits both small hosts and large operators.

Listeners are invited to try Hospitable’s products for free for two weeks via a special offer at hospitable.com/vrma2024, with a 25% discount for the first three months on any chosen plan.

In the latest episode of the VRMA Arrival Podcast, VRMA publications editor Alexa Schlosser interviews Tommy Ciaccio, head of business development for Avantio in the US and Canada. Ciaccio shares Avantio’s journey from its beginnings in Spain to its expansion into North American markets, highlighting their focus on innovation and local expertise.

Avantio, founded 22 years ago in Spain, successfully entered the US and Canadian markets about four years ago. This growth is attributed to hiring local experts who understand regional nuances and regulations.

Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com are key distribution channels. Avantio works closely with these OTAs to drive initial bookings, then focuses on converting them into direct bookings through optimized websites and a native channel manager.

Ciaccio emphasizes the importance of high-quality photos, accurate descriptions, and a seamless, professional website to build trust with guests. Avantio ensures a consistent and secure booking experience that enhances guest confidence.

With the trend toward shorter lead times, Ciaccio highlights the need for dynamic pricing tools and data insights. Leveraging technology partners helps property managers stay competitive and maximize revenue.

AI and data-driven decision-making are set to play crucial roles in the industry. Avantio continues to evolve, adding features like trust accounting and messaging integrations to meet market demands.

Avantio’s “global but local” approach tailors services to different markets by employing local experts, ensuring relevance and effectiveness in diverse regions.