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Ready to reclaim control of your bookings and break free from the unpredictability of OTAs like Airbnb? Craving the stability of building your business on your terms? Dive into the Boostly Podcast, where Mark Simpson and Liam Carolan unveil the secrets to unlocking a flood of direct bookings. With a rich mix of insights, Mark and Liam equip you with the tools and strategies needed to secure your independence in the hospitality industry. Liam Carolan shines in the "Behind The Host" mini-series, offering a peek into the journeys of successful hosts. Mark Simpson, the driving force behind the Boostly Podcast, shares actionable advice and the latest trends to help you stay ahead. Join us for a journey over 700 episodes deep – all designed to empower you with knowledge and tactics for boosting your bookings. Catch our engaging video content on the Boostly YouTube channel at boostly.co.uk/youtube. Your path to direct booking mastery starts here!
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In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, I joined the Stay Direct monthly meet-up to talk about where AI is really heading in the short-term rental industry, and what hosts, property managers and direct booking businesses should be paying attention to right now. Skool Group - https://www.skool.com/drive-direct-bookings-for-strs-5526 This was a thorough deep dive into AI, WordPress, PMS platforms, direct-booking websites, guest communication, content, search, community, and the future of hospitality tech. Big shoutout to Stay Direct for inviting me into their monthly session and for leading such a strong conversation around what is changing in the industry. We also mentioned and discussed: Graeme from Forge, and the work they are doing with AI agents Neely Khan, and the importance of storytelling and being chosen, not just discovered Richard Vaughton Boris from Onseason Gil from Crafted Stays Gareth, who joined the discussion around AI search and discovery Gareth's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABnNNhwBMQ1NDdjPM8JO3TjGvDSe0NZB50c?skipRedirect=true Guesty, and how PMS platforms are moving into AI Hospitable, including an example of a host using AI to find booking opportunities Claude, ChatGPT, Perplexity, OpenClaw, Lovable, Replit, HubSpot and other AI tools are changing how operators work The main message from the session is simple: AI is not here to replace your story, your brand, or your relationships. But it can help you remove boring work, spot missed revenue, follow up with guests, review costs, research leads, and make better decisions faster. We talked about: Whether WordPress is still the best option for direct booking websites Why AI website builders are exciting but not always ready for proper booking flows How PMS companies are adapting to AI How hosts can connect PMS data to AI tools How one host generated $7,000 in bookings within 72 hours using AI Why AI generated content is often weak Why community and brand are becoming more important How ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity are changing online discovery Why niche brands will be easier for AI tools to recommend What short-term rental hosts should focus on over the next 12 months This session was part of the Stay Direct monthly meet-up. You can join the Stay Direct school group using the link in the description below. Watch this if you are a host, property manager, website builder, PMS user, or short-term rental business owner trying to understand how AI fits into your direct booking strategy. Alistair's Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/alistairmalins/
Aqrdia is preparing to officially launch its groundbreaking AI-powered “chief of staff” for short-term rental operators at VRMA International in Nashville this October. In this video, we break down how Arqdia's new “decision brain” helps vacation rental companies turn overwhelming amounts of data into clear, prioritised action. Instead of replacing existing tools like Guesty, Hostaway, or PriceLabs, Arcadia sits on top of the tech stack as a decision operating system designed to help operators make faster, smarter decisions across revenue, operations, maintenance, and guest experience. We cover: • How Aqrdia prioritises urgent operational tasks • Why STR operators struggle with data overload • How the AI resolves conflicts between departments • The company’s vision for preserving institutional knowledge • What the 8–12 week AI learning process looks like • Arqdia's roadmap leading up to the October VRMA launch • The “Backstage Nashville” event happening during VRMA • Workshops, networking, parties, and industry meetups at the Maddox Hotel Arqdia is already working with global design partners across London, Miami, Finland, Australia, and the Caribbean as it refines the platform ahead of its full production release. If you’re in vacation rentals, hospitality tech, AI, or property management, this is one of the most important emerging platforms to watch in 2026.
👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings. In this episode, Gil Chan of Crafted Stays and I explore how SEO is changing in the age of AI search. We break down the rise of AEO and GEO, why guests are asking tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity for recommendations, and what accommodation businesses need to do to stay visible. You’ll learn why deep, niche content matters more than generic landing pages, how schema and crawlability affect AI discovery, why Bing Webmaster Tools should not be ignored, and how AI is becoming the new “influencer” in the booking journey.
In this episode, we’re joined by Amber Knight from Bookings Cloud to discuss how vacation rental managers can move beyond reactive marketing and start building a stronger, more profitable direct booking strategy. Amber shares her experience across the short-term rental industry and explains why guest acquisition can no longer be treated as an afterthought. We dive into the difference between boosting posts and running effective Meta ad campaigns, how clean property data can improve ad performance, and why your website and property detail pages are critical assets for converting qualified traffic. Amber also breaks down the data points that many operators overlook, including booking pace, booking-source dynamics, OTA fee impact, revenue per property, and profit per property. She shares a real example of how a North Carolina client increased RevPAR by $60 while the wider market declined by 17%. Whether you manage one property or a large portfolio, this episode offers practical advice on preparing your listings, improving website trust, and using marketing to drive higher-quality bookings instead of simply filling last-minute gaps. Learn more about Bookings Cloud at http://bookingscloud.com/ or connect with Amber Knight on LinkedIn.
👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings Check out Stayfinder here https://www.stayfinder.com/ Stayfi is https://stayfi.com/💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs.🎟️ Save Your Spot: Boostly’s Free 90-Minute WorkshopMaster the systems top hosts use to hit 65%+ direct bookings:👉 https://boostlybootcamp.com/workshop/📊 Try the Bookings Booster Score Card15 questions. Instant insights. Personalized plan.👉 https://www.bookingsbooster.ai/📞 Ready to scale your direct bookings? Let’s talk.Book a free strategy call with our team:👉 https://boostly.co.uk/call🤖 Ask the Boostly AI, anytime.Your 24/7 hospitality chatbot:👉 https://boostly.co.uk/bot📢 No gatekeeping. No ads. Just the tools to help you build the hospitality brand you deserve.DISCLOSURE Information shared here is for educational purposes only. Individuals and business owners should evaluate their own business strategies, and identify any potential risks. The information shared here is not a guarantee of success. Your results may vary.Copyright © 2026
In this episode of the Boostly Podcast, I’m joined by voices from across the industry to break down what’s coming next and what hosts and property managers need to prepare for now. Drawing on insights from operators, tech leaders, consultants, and founders, we cover the biggest shifts already happening beneath the surface, including: • AI moving from hype to table stakes • Direct bookings becoming a survival strategy, not a nice-to-have • Automation reshaping guest communication, marketing, and operations • Rising guest expectations and the return of high-touch experiences • Consolidation across software and management companies • Regulation, tourist taxes, and what they could mean for supply • Longer stays, digital nomads, and stronger shoulder seasons • Why revenue management and marketing are finally merging I also share my own prediction for 2026 and why I believe this is the year the industry fully crosses into a new operating model. If you’re a host or property manager who wants to stay profitable, future-proof your business, and reduce reliance on OTAs like Airbnb and Booking.com, this episode will help you see what’s coming before it hits. Listen now and decide which side of the change you want to be on.
Hiring is the single biggest decision that either scales your STR business or silently destroys it. Most hosts wait too long, hire too cheap, or onboard the wrong way. In today’s episode I sit down with Matt Metros of CS Outsource , who works with more than 500 property management companies worldwide , to break down exactly how to hire properly, avoid the common traps, and build a team that actually frees you up. You’ll learn: • When to hire your first assistant • Why cheap VAs cost you more • The real onboarding process hosts never do • The traits of great operators • How to stop micromanaging and actually lead • Why your SOPs are simpler than you think • What agencies like CS Outsource really offer behind the scenes If you’re managing 5 to 10 properties and feeling stretched, this video is the one that will save you months of headaches. Work with the team I trust for all my hiring: https://boostly.co.uk/hiring
Welcome back to the Episode 801 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to the Boostly Spotlight, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Spotlight episode, we shine the spotlight on Garrett Brown from BiggerPockets — diving into his insights on real estate investing, short-term rental growth, and how community-driven education empowers everyday investors to build wealth through property. Let's jump in. https://www.biggerpockets.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 800 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. Episode 800 of The Boostly Podcast is a celebration of eight years behind the mic—starting with a Skype setup in 2017 and growing into a global community with over a million YouTube views. Mark Simpson and co-host Liam Carolan sit down in person for the first time to reflect on the journey so far: hundreds of guest interviews, thousands of minutes of direct booking tactics, and the lessons learned from scaling hospitality businesses through consistency, better follow-up, smart systems, and a relentless focus on guest experience. Let's jump in. https://boostly.co.uk/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 799 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Spotlight episode, Liam is joined by James King, Senior Marketing Manager for Eviivo in the US and Canada. With over 20 years of STR and hospitality experience, Jamey unpacks how Eviivo has grown into one of the leading all-in-one PMS platforms for independent hosts, boutique hotels, and professional managers. You’ll hear how Eviivo simplifies operations across diverse portfolios — from cabins and RVs to boutique hotels — and why automation, integrations, and a unified dashboard save hosts hours every week. Jamie shares how Eviivo helps operators grow direct bookings, cut down OTA reliance, and deliver five-star guest experiences consistently. He also explains why the US market is unique, what hosts often get wrong about tech, and how to use integrations like PriceLabs to maximize occupancy and ADR. Let's jump in. https://eviivo.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 797 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Bootcamp session, Mark Simpson is joined by Hailey Marie Anderson, a 22-year-old Airbnb entrepreneur who built a 7-figure arbitrage business with 58 properties — all fully remote. Hailey reveals how she went from high school side hustles to running an empire by mastering three key steps: automate, delegate, and scale. She breaks down the difference between CEO vs operator mindset, how to run time audits to spot your biggest time wasters, and why burnout, micromanaging, and limited scalability disappear once you hire a remote team. You’ll discover the exact roles she outsourced first (VAs, cleaners, handymen, runners), where to find them, and how to train and retain them with SOPs and checklists.Hailey also shares her tech stack — Hostaway, PriceLabs, Turno, Truvia, TouchStay, Bestie AI, and Discord — and explains how she integrates teams and tools to keep occupancy above 90% while traveling the world as a digital nomad. From guest communication automations to video guidebooks and guest verification, every process is systemized for five-star consistency. Let's jump in. 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 796 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Bootcamp session, Mark Simpson is joined by Ruben Kanya, co-founder of Invested Escapes and a nationwide leader in temporary housing. Together they unpack how short-term rental operators can pivot into the booming B2B market by targeting corporate relocations and insurance placements. Ruben shares how he and his wife went from ordinary STR hosts to scaling a profitable business by focusing on relocation agencies and insurance companies. He reveals the data behind the $7.2 billion insurance housing market, why “monthly rentals” is now the keyword you need to win, and how four- to six-bedroom homes create premium opportunities. You’ll also learn his “duplicate listing” strategy for Airbnb, why visibility and searchability matter more than ever, and how to make your business easy to work with for corporations. Let's jump in. https://investedescapes.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 795 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Bootcamp session, Mark Simpson is joined by Dr. Rachel to explore how AI tools are transforming the mid-term rental space. Building on Day 1 with Ryan Luke, this session dives into the opportunities hosts have when they pivot from short stays to 30+ day bookings. Dr. Rachel reveals how she uses custom GPTs to uncover the most profitable guest avatars in any market — from displaced insurance families to construction crews, academic housing, seasonal workers, and even sports teams. She explains how AI can build a seasonality playbook for your property, map out which guest types to target, and give you insights into bookers’ budgets, must-haves, and decision-making processes. Let's jump in. www.shorttermgems.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 793 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this Boostly Bootcamp session, Mark Simpson is joined by Ryan Luke to unpack one of the hottest strategies in short-term rentals right now: medium-term stays of 30 days or more. With Airbnb reporting that one in every five bookings is now over 30 days, hosts who adapt will win big. Ryan shares how he scaled from hundreds of short-term rental units to a leaner, more profitable business focused on contractor bookings. He explains how buying the right properties, converting them into 4–6 bedroom homes, and targeting the contractor niche transformed his business into a sustainable, stress-free model. You’ll hear his journey from 450 units and chaos to just 59 highly profitable properties, how he attracts four- to seven-month stays, and how he now raises capital to expand without relying on OTAs. Let's jump in. https://www.lukestays.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 792 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In this special Boostly Spotlight episode, Mark Simpson is joined by Christina Vassel, Director of Partnerships at Turno, the cleaning automation platform built for hosts. Together they dive into what the guest journey really looks like in 2025—from the very first click to the final clean—and how you can impress guests at every stage. Christina explains how Turno’s data-driven “Quality Center” helps hosts track cleanliness scores, manage turnovers, and avoid costly negative reviews. She also shares insights from Turno’s partnership with Airbnb, revealing how cleanliness ratings directly impact reservations. Mark follows up with practical marketing tactics for pre- and post-booking that ensure you turn lookers into bookers—and keep guests from cancelling. Let's jump in. https://turno.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 791 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. Today, In this Boostly collab session, Mark, Madi, and Mike Petrek , founder & CEO of Batch , explore how the world’s biggest party-planning app evolved into a full-blown group travel marketplace. Batch helps party planners (think bachelorettes, birthdays, divorce parties, guys/girls trips) easily book experiences, bars, restaurants, and group accommodations — all in one place. Let's jump in. https://letsbatch.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 790 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. Today, we are joined by Jeff from Furnished Finder — the go-to platform for hosts looking to attract reliable mid-term tenants such as traveling nurses, remote workers, and corporate clients. They dive into how Furnished Finder connects property owners with a steady stream of pre-screened, background-checked renters without the high commissions of OTAs. You’ll learn how the platform works, what sets it apart from traditional short-term rental channels, and why it’s becoming a game-changer for hosts aiming to reduce vacancies and secure consistent rental income. From tips on optimizing your listing to insights on tenant expectations and rental trends, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone exploring mid-term rentals. Let's jump in. https://www.furnishedfinder.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome back to the Episode 789 of Boostly Podcast! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. In today’s Spotlight Series, Liam sits down with Pierre from Directo — the all-in-one guest experience platform helping short-term rental hosts ditch OTAs and win back direct bookings.Directo (formerly known under a different brand) is back with a new look and powerful tools that convert website visitors into paying guests — fast. From real-time price syncing and property filtering to mobile-optimised booking flows, Directo helps you take control of your marketing and maximise revenue.If you’re serious about direct bookings in 2025, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss. Let's jump in. https://www.getdirecto.com/ 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome to this Special Webinar Episode on the Boostly Show! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. In this special Boostly webinar, Mark Simpson dives into Enso Connect — the all-in-one guest experience platform that’s transforming short-term rental operations. From automating messaging and smart lock access to boosting upsells and review rates, Enso Connect helps STR hosts streamline the entire guest journey while keeping everything personalised and on-brand. Built to integrate seamlessly with your PMS, this powerful tool acts like your digital concierge, letting you focus on growth while the tech handles the heavy lifting. Whether you manage boutique stays or hundreds of units, this session unpacks how hosts are using Enso to deliver 5-star experiences with less effort — and more profit. Let's jump in. https://ensoconnect.com/ Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
🎙 Welcome to this Special Webinar Episode on the Boostly Show! 🎙 👋 Welcome to Boostly, where we give STR and MTR owners and managers the tools, strategies, and support to win more direct bookings — no fluff, no ads. 💡 This video is part of our free training series to help you grow your short-term rental business and take control away from OTAs. In this special Boostly webinar, Mark Simpson is joined by Michael and Ryan from Conduit — the AI-powered guest communication platform formerly known as HostAI. They share how Conduit helps short-term rental managers save time by automating up to 80% of guest communication through AI messaging, omnichannel inboxes, and new voice AI features. The team explains how their system integrates directly with major PMS platforms and Airbnb, setting up in just two quick calls. You'll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Conduit's AI is trained, how it can handle calls, manage escalations, and even support your guest services team. Whether you're a host, property manager, or hotelier, this session is packed with valuable insights on how AI can help futureproof your business. Let's jump in. https://www.conduit.ai/ Connect with Boostly https://Boostly.co.uk https://Boostly.co.uk/5steps https://instagram.com/boostlyuk https://Boostly.co.uk/podcast
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