Host Planet: Airbnb, Holiday Let, and Vacation Rental Insights

From 20 November, Airbnb is changing what hosts can ask of their guests. Rental agreements, ID copies, guest contact details, gated Wi-Fi, and guidebooks are all affected.In this Build for Growth episode, Host Planet sits down with Margot Schmorak, CEO and Co-Founder of Hostfully, to answer the big question: after 20 November, who owns the guest – you, or Airbnb?Margot explains how property managers in the Hostfully community are reacting, why Airbnb is making these changes (and how AI and LLMs play into it), and whether Airbnb could row back. You'll learn the change that should really be keeping property managers up at night, how to protect yourself, how to handle the new rules across different booking channels, how to market your rental from here, and the three things to do this week to get ready.⏱️ Timestamps2:04 Free PMS onboarding + 30% off digital guidebooks for life with Hostfully3:00 Who owns the guest from 20 November: you or Airbnb?5:24 The reaction of the Hostfully community9:00 Airbnb wants to protect its revenue, and it knows the LLMs are coming11:42 Could Airbnb row back a bit on these changes?12:31 Why haven't direct bookings taken off?15:15 The change that will keep property managers up at night16:57 How should managers protect themselves?20:31 Gated Wi-Fi and guidebooks are out22:45 Review your Airbnb listings today (use AI to do it fast)23:53 How to handle the rule changes across different channels (start with a PMS)26:39 How to market your rental now29:17 Three things to do this week to get ready for Airbnb's rule changes30:09 Get in touch with Margot🔗 Connect & Resources🎁 Hostfully is offering Build for Growth listeners FREE PMS onboarding + 30% off digital guidebooks for life. Find out more: https://www.hostfully.com/host_planet📧 Email Margot: [email protected]#AirbnbRules #BuildForGrowth #Hostfully #AirbnbHost #VacationRental

Who's booking UK holiday lets, when are they booking, and how long do they stay? In this episode of Holiday Let Insider, Owen Burt, SEO Manager at Sykes Holiday Cottages, shares the 2026 booking trends every holiday let owner needs to know, and how to use them to get more bookings this winter and into 2027.Owen explains why couples are now driving more demand than families, what families still want from a holiday let, and why seven nights remains the most popular stay length, for now. He also covers the shift to last-minute bookings, why some guests have already booked for next summer, and why large groups plan further ahead than anyone else.In this episode:- The 2026 trend every host needs to pay attention to- Why seven-night stays could be about to change- How couples are driving more demand than families- What families look for when booking a holiday let- Last-minute demand versus early booking, and how to plan for both- Why large groups book further ahead than any other guests- Practical steps for a strong winter and a strong start to 2027TIMESTAMPS0:30 Let your property with Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/1:15 The 2026 trend every host needs to pay attention to5:28 Seven nights is still the most popular stay (but that could change soon)9:01 How to attract more bookings considering 2026 trends12:22 Couples are driving more demand than families16:28 What families want from a holiday let22:31 Demand is last-minute, but some people have already booked for next summer26:24 Large groups plan ahead more than any other demographic29:35 Advice for owners who want a strong winter and strong start to 2027LINKSRachel's winter episode: https://youtu.be/OmDB92yORS4Sykes Pulse Report: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/advice/article/holiday-letting-pulse-reportLet your property with Sykes: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/GUEST: Owen Burt, SEO Manager at Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-burt-736355107/SERIES: Holiday Let Insider – from Host Planet and Sykes Holiday Cottages, part of the Host Planet ecosystem, helping hosts build smarter, more successful, and more sustainable short-term rental businesses.TOPICS: holiday let trends, UK holiday lets, booking trends 2026, holiday let marketing, short-term rentals, holiday let owner tips

At some point, working harder stops working. Jason Baxter, Founder of Marketics and former leader of a large property management operation, shares the systems, team structure, and KPIs that take you from heroics to a business that runs without you solving every problem.Welcome to Episode 7 of the STR Growth Curve, a 12-part series from Host Planet and Hospitable mapping the 12 stages of growth in short-term rentals — from setting up your first rental all the way through to selling your property management business. Our goal: help you build a smarter, more successful, and more sustainable hosting business.Stage 7 is all about moving from heroics to systems. Jason explains how turnovers tipped him over the edge, the system that had the biggest impact, a framework for guest interactions that go sideways, why owners leave and why they stay, and why rejecting the wrong properties matters. He also breaks down how to keep standards consistent across many markets, the process that no longer needs human input, how to give your standard operating procedures a framework, and how to structure your team at 50+ rentals.Plus: the process Jason rolled out at scale then had to pull back, the operational KPI to track (review ratio) and how to get the most reviews possible, the hardest thing for him to let go of, and what to set up and avoid if you're starting today.📘 Download the STR Growth Curve e-book: https://www.hostplanet.club/str-growth-curve🏠 Try Hospitable — Get 25% off for your first 3 months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet1:44 The transition to systems from heroics3:21 Turnovers tipped Jason over the edge4:21 The system that had the biggest impact4:57 A framework for the guest interactions which go sideways6:54 Why owners leave and why they stay8:09 The importance of rejecting the wrong properties9:18 How to keep standards consistent across many markets10:53 A process which doesn't need human input anymore13:35 Standard operating procedures – give it a framework15:11 Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months16:08 How Hospitable has helped Jason grow his business17:38 A process Jason implemented at scale that he had to pull back19:26 How to structure your team at 50+ rentals23:25 The operational KPI to track: review ratio25:43 The way to get the most reviews possible27:52 The hardest thing for Jason to let go: solving problems29:27 What to set up and what to avoid if starting todayJason Baxter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbaxter1/Marketics: https://marketics.io/#AirbnbHost #ShortTermRental #PropertyManagement #Hospitable #HostPlanet

Own a holiday let? You could be sitting on thousands of pounds in unclaimed tax relief, and the clock is ticking.In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, James Varley is joined by Matt Jeffery from Zeal Tax to explain capital allowances: what they are, what qualifies, and why a large share of holiday let owners have never claimed them.Matt walks through how Zeal Tax put together a claim for one of James's own holiday lets, whether it matters when you bought your property, how a claim might affect capital gains tax if you sell, how long the process takes, and what it costs. Plus the questions Matt gets asked most, including "surely my accountant has already claimed this?"The deadline to claim is 31 January 2027, so don't leave it too late.SPECIAL OFFER: Mention Host Planet to get 10% off with Zeal Tax.⏱️ Timestamps1:40 Get 20% off Lodgify with the code HOSTPLANET202:22 What capital allowances are and why you need to pay attention3:32 What qualifies for capital allowances5:30 How this can reduce your tax bill for years6:34 "Surely my accountant has claimed this?"8:25 How Zeal Tax claimed capital allowances for one of James's holiday lets14:27 Does it matter when you bought the property?15:32 How might this affect capital gains tax if you sell?17:10 The deadline to claim is 31 January 202720:31 How long it takes to put a claim together22:05 What it costs to claim capital allowances23:53 The questions Matt gets asked most27:01 Why so many holiday let owners haven't claimed28:42 Deadline reminders29:49 Get in touch with Matt and Zeal Tax🔗 Connect & Resources📧 Email Zeal Tax: [email protected]📞 Call Zeal Tax: 01633 287898🎁 Mention Host Planet to get 10% off🎟️ Meet the Zeal Tax team at the Host Planet Roadshow: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-roadshow🏠 Get 20% off Lodgify with the code HOSTPLANET20: https://www.lodgify.com/hostplanet/?utm_source=landing-page&utm_medium=creator-collab&utm_campaign=host-planetThe Host Planet Podcast is powered by Lodgify.This episode is for general information only and isn't tax advice. Speak to a qualified adviser about your own situation.#HolidayLets #CapitalAllowances #PropertyTax

Running properties and running a hospitality business are not the same thing. The difference will decide which short-term rental managers thrive and which fall behind.In this episode of AI-Powered Hosting – from Host Planet and BOOM – we talk to Richard Vaughton from Yes Consulting about building a tech-led operation, and why technology on its own isn't enough to move the short-term rental industry forward.Richard explains what the best operators are doing differently, how to lay the foundations to become proactive rather than reactive, and where to start if you want to build a tech-led business. We dig into the problem with bolted-on tools, why tech is pointless if the guest experience is sub-standard, and how isolation quietly limits growth.Plus: why so many managers are hesitant to collaborate, how connecting with others makes decisions clearer, and what the future holds for the industry.Timestamps:1:14 The difference between running properties and running a hospitality business2:11 How to lay the foundations to be proactive3:18 What the best operators are doing differently5:18 Where to start if you want to build a tech-led operation8:11 What this means for bolted-on tools11:48 Why tech is not enough to move the STR industry forward14:12 Tech is pointless if the experience is sub-standard17:42 Why isolation limits growth20:22 BOOM21:03 Richard's involvement with BOOM23:28 Decisions become clearer when you connect with others26:47 Why managers are hesitant to collaborate30:08 What will separate the managers who win from those who fall behind32:00 What the future holds🔗 Explore BOOM: https://www.boomnow.com/?utm_source=HostPlanet&utm_medium=Sponsor&utm_campaign=2026📬 Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardvaughton/AI-Powered Hosting is a six-part series from Host Planet and BOOM exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming the short-term rental industry – from automation to full agentic execution. Quote 'Host Planet' to get 50% off PMS onboarding with BOOM: https://www.boomnow.com/?utm_source=HostPlanet&utm_medium=Sponsor&utm_campaign=2026#AIPoweredHosting #ShortTermRentals #PropertyManagement

Every five properties, something needs to change. Wendy Doris from Mostess shares the exact tech, hiring, and pricing decisions that separate hosts who scale from hosts who burn out.Welcome to Episode 6 of the STR Growth Curve, a 12-part series from Host Planet and Hospitable mapping the 12 stages of growth in short-term rentals — from setting up your first rental all the way through to selling your property management business. Our goal: help you build a smarter, more successful, and more sustainable hosting business.Stage 6 is all about the messy middle of scaling — where the systems that got you here stop working. Wendy explains why every 5 properties something has to change, how to get yourself out of the day-to-day of your hosting business, the tech stack decisions that actually matter at this stage, her onboarding process, and her pricing strategy. She also breaks down her focus on revenue management and upselling, how to control your calendar as you grow, when and how to hire for impact, and why quality control with inspectors matters more than ever.Plus: the mistake that slowly eats your margin and standards, the low-cost habit that pays dividends at scale, and the signal that tells you whether it's time to stick or scale.📘 Download the STR Growth Curve e-book: https://www.hostplanet.club/str-growth-curve🏠 Try Hospitable – Get 25% off for your first 3 months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet1:38 Wendy's journey2:37 Every five properties, something needs to change3:31 How to get yourself out of your hosting business5:05 The tech stack decisions that matter at this stage6:07 The onboarding process7:12 Wendy's pricing strategy8:22 Wendy's day-to-day: going down rabbit holes and trying things9:28 Focusing on revenue management10:52 Upselling13:01 How to control the calendar at this stage14:02 Hiring for impact15:29 Quality control with inspectors17:16 Hospitable18:06 How Hospitable has helped Wendy grow her business19:00 Reliance on software19:56 The mistake that slowly eats your margin and standards21:33 A habit or system which costs nothing but pays dividends at this scale24:01 The signal you're ready to stick or scale25:12 The advice Wendy would give herself at the start of her journey25:47 Get in touch with Wendy#AirbnbHost #ShortTermRental #PropertyManagement #Hospitable #HostPlanet

Is one 4-star review dragging your Airbnb rating down? Mercedes Sanchez of MBX Homes shares how independent hosts can win more 5-star reviews and protect their ranking.In this episode of The Independent Host – a series from Host Planet and Lodgify – Mercedes explains why an accurate listing is the secret to a 5-star rating, how to avoid 3- and 4-star reviews, and why some guests simply don't understand how Airbnb's review system works.You'll learn whether hosts should ask for reviews, the real difference between a 4.7 and a 4.9 rating, how many reviews you need before Airbnb promotes you in search, and how to earn the Guest Favourite badge – plus whether Guest Favourite or Superhost matters more. Mercedes also covers how to respond to bad reviews, how to get reviews when you're just starting out, and why it all comes down to accuracy, value, communication, and cleanliness.As always, we focus on practical ideas – including AI – to help you build a smarter, more successful, and more sustainable hosting business.Learn how Lodgify helps Mercedes' business and use code HOSTPLANET20 to get 20% off: https://www.lodgify.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=creator-collab&utm_campaign=host-planetTimestamps:1:22 Mercedes' journey into short-term rentals2:47 An accurate listing (oversharing) will help you get a 5-star rating4:10 How to avoid 3- and 4-star reviews5:42 Some guests don't understand the review process7:02 Should hosts be asking for reviews?9:30 The difference between 4.7 and 4.9 on Airbnb11:11 Get 20% off Lodgify with the code HOSTPLANET20: https://www.lodgify.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=creator-collab&utm_campaign=host-planet12:09 Lodgify is the brain of Mercedes' business13:45 How many reviews before Airbnb promotes you in search?14:40 The Guest Favourite badge on Airbnb16:44 Guest Favourite or Superhost?17:32 How to respond to bad reviews19:24 How to get reviews when you first start hosting20:57 It boils down to accuracy, value, communication, and cleanliness- MBX Homes: https://www.mbxhomes.com- Instagram: https://instagram.com/mbxhomes?psln=dWN6Z2t0dmNxMXE3Follow Host Planet for more holiday let revenue tips, Airbnb growth hacks, and short-term rental automation.#AirbnbReviews #AirbnbTips #TheIndependentHost

Most hosts are sitting on extra revenue they never collect. Upsells are one of the easiest ways to earn more from every booking, yet they're still massively underused.In this Build for Growth episode, Host Planet sits down with Frank Bosi from Hostfully to break down the upsells every host should be offering, from early check-in and late check-out to local partnerships with private chefs.You'll learn how to price and run your most popular upsells, how to package them in a digital guidebook, the right moment to offer them to guests, and the simplest place to start if you're not offering any yet.⏱️ Timestamps1:18 Free PMS onboarding + 30% off digital guidebooks for life with Hostfully2:18 Why upsells are underutilised4:59 The basic upsells every host should be offering9:55 How to price and operate early check-in and late check-out13:41 How to package upsells in a digital guidebook16:44 Local partnerships, like private chefs21:37 The right moment to offer an upsell25:23 How to make upsells simple to offer33:25 Where to start with upsells35:22 Get in touch with Frank🔗 Connect & Resources🎁 Hostfully is offering Build for Growth listeners FREE PMS onboarding + 30% off digital guidebooks for life. Find out more: https://www.hostfully.com/host_planet📧 Email Frank: [email protected]📅 Book a Hostfully demo with Frank: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo?re=IiY1x2YuQXZuFGbwR3cvhGQzVWbhpmI&rn=ISelxmchZFIzVWbhpkI&messageId=UjWJnyJQ1a9zxhP2C#Upsells #BuildForGrowth #Hostfully #AirbnbHost #VacationRental

Next year's revenue is decided by what you do in the next few weeks. Zak Ali, President of the ISTRM, joins STR Pricing Pulse to show you how to plan 2027 revenue for your short-term rental or holiday let business.We cover how to set goals that are ambitious but realistic, how to manage owner expectations, what to check in your revenue management system, how to grow ancillary revenue, and the three things every host and property manager should do before Christmas.STR Pricing Pulse is brought to you by Host Planet and Beyond.⏱️ CHAPTERS0:53 Check out Beyond1:51 Why you need to plan next year's revenue right now3:32 The figures that jump out4:20 How to set ambitious and realistic revenue goals6:32 How to set expectations with owners7:45 What to check in your revenue management system11:44 Ancillary revenue13:50 When to review your strategy19:09 Quickfire round21:34 Three things to do before Christmas🔗 LINKSBeyond: https://go.beyondpricing.com/en/demo-request/growth-plan?utm_source=partnership&utm_medium=sponsorship&utm_campaign=Launchbase+|+Sponsorship+|+1Q26Zak Ali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-a-056b2714/ISTRM: https://istrm.org/📅 UPCOMING EVENTSChester, 10 November: https://luma.com/5bqlxktjAI Buildathon, Leeds, 27 November: https://luma.com/6d503u8sEdinburgh, 3 December: https://luma.com/71u7us4pHost Planet Roadshow 2027: https://www.hostplanet.club/roadshow-2027📩 Get the Host Planet newsletter, read by hosts in 100+ countries: https://www.hostplanet.club/#ShortTermRental #RevenueManagement #HolidayLet

Welcome to Episode 5 of the STR Growth Curve, a 12-part series from the Host Planet Podcast and Hospitable mapping the 12 stages of growth in short-term rentals – from setting up your first rental all the way through to selling your property management business. Our goal: help you build a smarter, more successful, and more sustainable hosting business.Stage 5 is all about professionalising your business and operating like a real company. Brian Seelos from Athens Vacation Rentals shares what professionalising means to him, how to develop your systems as you go along, team vs freelancers, setting brand standards, review protection, and the most expensive mistake hosts make at this stage.Plus maintenance at this scale, the part of the operation Brian is proudest of, being happy at a certain number of rentals, how to measure consistency, and what to stop doing at this stage, including how AI and automation with Hospitable helps Brian save time, handle guest messaging, and build systems that scale.📘 Download the STR Growth Curve e-book: https://www.hostplanet.club/str-growth-curve🏠 Try Hospitable – Get 25% off for your first 3 months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanetIn this episode:1:49 What professionalising means to Brian2:40 Develop your systems as you go along3:58 Team vs freelancers6:25 Brand standards8:12 Review protection11:33 The most expensive mistake13:17 Hospitable: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet14:18 How Hospitable helps Brian's business15:44 Maintenance is important at this stage17:26 The part of the operation Brian is proudest of19:13 Being happy at a certain number of rentals20:34 How to measure consistency at this scale21:39 What to stop doing at this stageFollow the Host Planet Podcast to catch the entire STR Growth Curve series. Sign up for the Host Planet Newsletter, read by hosts and property managers in 100+ countries: https://www.hostplanet.club/Athens Vacation Rentals: www.athensgavacationrentals.com