Short Term Rentalz: The Short Scoop

In this episode of the STRz podcast, Felicity Cousins, assistant editor of Serviced Apartment News at IHM, talks to Ricky Bichel, head of international expansion at limehome, about the secret to its high occupancy rates since it launched, its acquisition and expansion plans across Europe, the technology behind its success, and where limehome will be in five years' time.

For episode 43 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we’re joined by John Andrew Entwistle, founder and CEO of smart home rental platform Wander, to learn more about building the travel experience of the future, how the company’s real estate investment trust Atlas will revolutionise the industry, and the opportunities ahead for Wander at the index of vacation rentals.

For episode 42 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we’re joined by Julie Brinkman, CEO of revenue management platform Beyond, to discuss the evolution of supply in the short-term rental market, the future of data and AI in revenue management, and her role as a judge in the Shortyz Awards, organised by ShortTermRentalz.

For episode 41 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we hear from Will Parry, co-founder and CEO of property management company ALTIDO, about the blurring lines of accommodation asset classes, diversifying into the corporate travel market, and the company's growth targets and expansion plans.

For episode 40 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we hear from Cassandra Sasso, CEO of off-grid eco-accommodation company Wander, about her brand’s ethos around “transformational travel”, Wander’s model to have one room in 100 locations as opposed to 100 rooms in one location, and why she and her company were recognised at this year’s Shortyz Awards in London with the Innovator / Disruptor Award. Th...

For episode 39 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we catch up with Nils Mattisson, co-founder and CEO of property monitoring company Minut, about how the company is using its Series B funding to protect guest privacy, how Minut is supporting sustainable travel, and his thoughts on what the future holds in monitoring and regulating noise in short-term rentals. This episode is kindly sponsored by Minu...

For episode 38 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Anthemos Georgiades, co-founder and CEO of rental marketplace Zumper, about the company’s extension into the short-term rental space, the characteristics of consumers who are living a flexible, nomadic lifestyle and whether Zumper sees itself competing with major OTAs in the long term. This episode is kindly sponsored by Breezeway. Breeze...

For Episode 37 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we catch up with Luke Bujarski, co-founder and head of growth at outsourcing company Extenteam, to learn more about why businesses are leveraging remote workers, how the pandemic has changed the outsourcing formula and what remote working will look like in five years' time.

For episode 36 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we hear from Dale Smith, founder and CEO at The SDDE Smith Group, about the company's hospitality portfolio and continued growth, as well as his own background and business inspirations.

For episode 35 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we hear from Steve Milo, founder and CEO of Florida-based vacation rental management company VTrips, about the company's tech offering and M&A strategy, the major opportunities available to rental operators in 2022, and the prospect of VTrips going public in the future. This episode is kindly sponsored by Flywire and NoiseAware.

For episode 34 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Susan Ho, the head of the newly-launched Hopper Homes, the short-term rental brand of online travel agency Hopper, about alleviating traveller anxiety during the booking experience, its strategy for attracting, protecting and retaining new hosts, and how Hopper Homes will position itself in the OTA space and from a brand loyalty perspecti...

For episode 33 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Aurelie Lepercq, CEO of curated luxury villa rental marketplace, Edge Retreats, about the company’s proposition to affluent consumers, the recent appointment of HomeAway co-founder Carl Shepherd to its board of directors, and how the perception of luxury has evolved over the course of the pandemic. This episode is Kindly sponsored by Flyw...

For episode 32 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we spoke to Lucas Haldeman, founder and CEO of SmartRent, a leading provider of smart home and smart building automation, about the company’s milestone $2.2 billion SPAC merger last year, its growth strategy and expansion into other sectors such as student housing, and smart home technology and automation innovations that are expected to trend in 202...

In episode 31 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, Eloise Hanson, editor of Boutique Hotel News, speaks to Martin Picard, co-founder and global head of real estate at Sonder, about how the company has developed its strategy throughout the pandemic, the group's expansion plans, and changing consumer behaviour.

UK: In the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Antanas Perez and Erskine Berry, head of product and commercial director at City Relay Solutions, to learn about the company's bespoke tech solution DRIVE, the importance of proptech in property management, and the trends that will shape the real estate industry over the next 12 months.

For episode 30 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, I’m delighted to be speaking to Chris Stephenson, Vice President of international markets at Homes and Villas by Marriott International, about the progress that the Homes and Villas brand has made since launching in 2019, what we can expect from Marriott’s new pilot program for rentals and hotels, and how travellers’ perception is evolving since the...

Finland: Niko Karstikko, co-founder and CEO of Helsinki-based hospitality startup Bob W, talks to IHM editor-in-chief George Sell in the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast to discuss the company's launch and the story behind its name, creating a five-star experience at scale, the brand's expansion into the UK and more markets, and shifts in occupancy and guest demographics.

US: Luca Zambello, the CEO of hospitality tech company Jurny, joins the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast to discuss adaptability and agility during the pandemic, the short-term rental sector's ability to meet the evolving demands of travellers, and emerging trends in the guest experience.

Spain: On the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Damian Sheridan and Deborah Labi, the directors of the upcoming Book Direct Show, which will take place live from Barcelona on 29-30 September. Listen in to hear their thoughts on the benefits of attracting direct bookings, how independent property owners can leverage OTAs but at the same time not rely on them, and the growi...

UK: Humphrey Bowles, co-founder of SUPERHOG, and CEO and co-founder of GUARDHOG, joins the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast to discuss addressing issues with scammers and fraudsters, the 'party house' phenomenon, and the need to "embrace" the Gen Z demographic for the future of the short-term rental industry.

For episode 29 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, Michael Goldin, director of business development at NoiseAware joins us to discuss his company's upcoming launch in the UK, how cities are moving towards noise ordinances for a sustainable future in tourism, and the latest noise monitoring trends. This episode is kindly sponsored by Flywire.

For episode 28 of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to William Astolfi, co-founder and CEO of Sao Paulo-based real estate management firm B. Homy in Brazil, about his ambitions for the company, the challenges he’s faced during the pandemic in Brazil, and the need for professionalisation in the Brazilian short-term rental market. This episode is kindly sponsored by Flywire.

Matt Roberts, CEO of vacation rental management platform Vacasa, joins the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast to discuss the challenges he’s faced since becoming CEO just before the start of the pandemic, the company’s aggressive expansion strategy and M&A activity, and the progress of Vacasa’s upcoming SPAC merger with TPG Pace Solutions. This episode is kindly sponsored by Flywire.

In the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Jon Staff, founder and CEO of cabin rental startup Getaway, about the shift in demographics of travellers staying in cabins, Getaway's $41.7 million Series C funding round in February, the growing focus on wellness retreats in outdoor hospitality, and the startup's upcoming 'Labor Week' initiative for its staff. This podcast is kin...

In the latest episode of the ShortTermRentalz podcast, we speak to Bill Lee, CEO of rural travel booking site Yonder, about everything from the company's progress since a $4 million seed funding round, Yonder's launch in the UK this year, and whether 2021 is "marking the beginning of a transformative new chapter in travel".