the no BS podcast

This week we share an important conversation during Human Trafficking Prevention month and delve into the dark side of the vacation rental industry with our friend Ela Mejaborski, co-founder and president of Autohost. We discuss the crucial issues around human trafficking in short-term rentals and the importance of awareness, education, prevention, and protection. Ela shares her journey, detailing how Autohost emerged as a key player in AI-driven guest screening to combat fraudulent activities and criminal behavior, including human trafficking. They also stress the importance of training and awareness, encouraging listeners to take concrete steps such as enrolling in specialized courses. With a focus on bringing industry players together for greater accountability and ethical operations, this episode aims to spur action and discourse around a critical but often overlooked issue. DO NOT MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM! Vacation Rental Human trafficking awareness education by Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage Visit this link for a special $50 off deal exclusive for the no BS podcast listeners --> https://www.traffickingawareness.org/offers/QUSL2jy8/checkout 00:00 Welcome to the No BS Podcast 00:57 Introducing Our Special Guest: Ela Mejaborski 01:51 The Dark Side of the Hospitality Industry 03:14 The Birth of Autohost 05:38 A Light Bulb Moment: Spotting Illegal Activity 11:39 Understanding Human Trafficking 15:24 The Importance of Awareness and Training 21:26 Housekeeping Team Challenges 21:56 Importance of Neighbor Relations 23:07 Security and Technology in Rentals 23:30 Human Trafficking Awareness 28:21 Educational Resources and Courses 32:11 Call to Action for Property Managers 39:12 Conclusion and Future Steps

This week, we’re diving into the messy world of **hospitality tech** and uncovering solutions that actually work. Our guest is Abdul Ahadh, CEO and co-founder of Calry, a game-changing Unified API for property management systems (PMS). If you’ve ever struggled with clunky integrations or wasted time wrestling with tech that doesn’t play nice, this episode is for you. We break break down: - Why the PMS integration game is broken. - How Calry’s Unified API cuts through the chaos. - Real-world benefits like reduced resource burn and faster integrations. Plus, Ahad shares his journey from Bangalore’s startup scene to disrupting the short-term rental API game. He gives us a sneak peek into Calry’s expansion plans and why they’re the partner you need to scale smarter, not harder. Visit CALRY - https://calry.app/ Timestamps (because we know you’re busy): **00:00** - No BS welcome: Let’s get real about hospitality tech. **00:57** - Post-VRMA takeaways and industry chatter. **03:00** - Homecoming Week in Atlanta: The vibe shift. **07:51** - Meet Abdul Ahadh and the origin story of Calry. **09:49** - Building Calry: Why the world needed a Unified API. **13:32** - The gritty truth about hospitality tech challenges. **16:49** - Bangalore: Why it’s the Silicon Valley you should care about. **18:05** - How Calry’s solving real problems—and what’s next. **21:34** - Why PMS integrations suck and how to fix them. **22:31** - The Unified API solution: One point of contact, endless possibilities. **24:05** - Business efficiency unlocked: The Calry effect. **26:23** - Open API and business decisions. **31:50** - Scaling up: Calry’s roadmap for the future. **38:51** - The advantages of switching to Calry. **44:28** - Closing thoughts: Ahad’s advice for the next big disruptor.

In this episode of the podcast, Mateo and John chat it up with Happy Guest co-founders Alex Husner and Kanan Whited. There's something refreshing about this guest portal and the story and psychology behind the app is entertaining and fulfilling. You're gonna want to download this one. Episode Highlights: Guest Introductions: Exciting projects ahead: Alex, a returning guest, shares her excitement about new projects and life post-Casago. First-time guest Kanan Whitehead, co-founder of Happy Guest, joins the show to discuss his journey into vacation rental tech. Kanan’s Origin Story: From Amazon to Vacation Rentals: Kanan’s background in scaling creativity at Amazon/Whole Foods led him into vacation rental branding and operations. His work at Airbnb led to developing tools that streamline operations for property managers, leading to the founding of Happy Guest. Why Happy Guest was created: Kanan and Alex discuss how Happy Guest was born from a desire to simplify the vacation rental guest experience. Focus on creating a seamless guest journey by improving communication, workflows, and reducing operational burdens for managers. Psychology of the Guest Journey: Happy Guest focuses on the psychology of guest interactions, creating a fun and stress-free experience for both guests and property Upsells Timing: The trend is upsells in the property management space, but upsells are most effective closer to the check-in date rather than at the time of booking. Importance of Guest Communication: Guests prefer to communicate on platforms they are comfortable with (e.g., Airbnb), and property managers should align with those preferences while collecting necessary contact details. Unified Communication: The challenge of disjointed guest communications (email, text, Airbnb messages) can make Airbnb the most consistent touchpoint. The goal is to streamline communication and keep it aligned with the guest's preferences. Gamification: Happy Guest's check-in process includes a gamified element to make it engaging for guests, inspired by the success of platforms like Hopper that have integrated fun, playful design elements. Visual Design and Branding: There is a trend towards minimalist design in tech, but Happy Guest differentiates itself with a more playful, colorful approach. The design aims to make the platform memorable and enjoyable for both property managers and guests. Guest Journey Optimization: Happy Guest emphasizes simplifying the guest journey, from booking to check-in, using technology to make the process intuitive and stress-free for both guests and property managers. Revenue Opportunities: Happy Guest offers upsells such as early check-in or other customizable add-ons. Property managers can increase revenue while saving time through automation. Streamlined Setup: The platform is quick to set up, requiring little ongoing management from hosts. Once implemented, it automates many repetitive tasks, freeing property managers to focus on other responsibilities. Consistency in Guest Experience: Inconsistent messaging and outdated terms across platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, direct bookings) are common pain points. Happy Guest helps property managers streamline and standardize their guest communications across all platforms. No App Download Required: Happy Guest is web-based, avoiding the friction of requiring guests to download an app, which is a significant roadblock for user adoption. Event Participation: Happy Guest is involved in industry events, offering prizes and stays to encourage people to experience the platform firsthand at...

We're excited to announce the launch of Villa Tracker OTA, a pioneering platform connecting the vacation rental industry with traditional travel agencies. Our good friend Moriya Rockman, founder of Smiling House and Villa Tracker, joins us to discuss the platform's vision, its impact on the industry, and its partnership with Guesty. Moriaya shares her journey, the challenges faced in creating an OTA, and the potential for new bookings, sustainability, and innovation within the short-term rental sector. The episode highlights the collaborative spirit of the industry, the importance of trust and high standards, and the exciting future of integrated travel planning. Episode Highlights: Villa Tracker Overview:History and Need:Target Audience Expansion:COVID-19 as a Catalyst:Challenges and Vision:Partnership with Guesty:Moriya's Journey:Industry Collaboration:

In this episode, we delve into the current challenges facing the short-term rental industry in Barcelona with friend and colleague Jaume Barberena. Jaume, a Catalan and industry expert Director at Bizflats, provides an in-depth look at the new regulations set to take effect in Barcelona and the current and potential impact on the industry. This episode goes DEEP and one you do not want to miss! Episode Highlights: Early Challenges: Jaume discusses the greenfield nature of the STR market in Barcelona at the time, highlighting the lack of existing frameworks and the challenges of educating property owners about the benefits of short-term rentals. Professionalization of STRs: Jaume explains how Barcelona's STR industry has always been highly professionalized, with early efforts to establish a unified voice through the founding of Apartur, an industry association. Airbnb’s Impact: The conversation shifts to how Airbnb's entry into the market in 2010 significantly lowered the barrier to entry, leading to an influx of non-professional hosts and a shift in public perception of STRs. Regulatory Environment: Jaume describes how the proliferation of STRs led to increasing pushback from local communities, HOAs, and eventually, the government, culminating in a negative image of the industry. Recent Developments: The discussion turns to the recent news of a potential ban on foreign STR licenses in Barcelona by 2028. Jaume clarifies that this stems from a regional government decree that requires local authorities to create new STR regulations within five years. Future Outlook: The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of continued mobilization and education efforts within the industry to influence local regulations and ensure the future of STRs in Barcelona. Lobby Influence: Jaume suspects deep-pocketed hotel and construction lobbies influencing politicians in Barcelona, pushing for legislation that favors large hotels over short-term rentals. Rhetoric Escalation: The anti-STR stance in Barcelona has intensified, culminating in the mayor's proposal to ban all STRs while simultaneously suggesting the construction of 5,000 new hotel rooms. Tourism Appeal: Barcelona's year-round attractiveness and suitability for families make it a popular destination, with STRs offering better value and experiences than hotels, a trend Jaume believes will continue despite regulatory pressures. Impact of STR Bans: Jaume warns that removing a significant portion of STR capacity could lead to skyrocketing hotel rates, similar to what happened in New York. Illegality and Hospitality: John discusses how restrictive laws in New York have led to increased rates, illegal activities, and difficulties for travelers, which undermines the hospitality industry’s goal of being welcoming and accessible. Community Organization: The crisis has united the STR community in Barcelona, with ApartTour's membership growing significantly. Jaume emphasizes the importance of collective action and grassroots advocacy. Legal Action: ApartTour is taking legal steps, including a lawsuit for unconstitutionality and individual claims for damages, to challenge the new regulations. Local Business Impact: Jaume highlights how STRs positively impact local businesses, even in non-tourist areas, by bringing in foreign customers, which is often overlooked by anti-STR rhetoric. Tourism Phobia: The episode touches on the concentrated nature of tourism in specific areas leading to over-tourism and how this fuels anti-tourism sentiments, with calls for more nuanced, neighborhood-specific solutions. Call for...

Mateo welcomes AI expert Nick Mote to discuss the transformative potential of multimodal AI in the hospitality industry. From understanding how AI can now interpret and process multiple types of inputs to its practical applications in vacation rentals, Nick sheds light on the current and future landscape of AI technology Episode Highlights: Introduction to Multimodal AI:Impact on Hospitality:Future Applications:Technology Adoption:Integration Challenges:Developer Assistance:Practical Business Applications: We invite listeners to share their thoughts on how AI is impacting their business and any additional angles or applications we might have missed..

Original articles or posts Skift: Guesty, Short-Term Rental Software Provider, Acquires Rentals United https://shorturl.at/fINQW PhocusWire: Guesty Acquires Rentals United https://shorturl.at/dSTW3 Hotel Technology News: Guesty Acquires Rentals United to Expand Its Property Management Platform Capabilities in the Short Term Rental Market https://shorturl.at/chR25 Short Term Rentalz: Guesty makes Rentals United fifth acquisition since 2022 https://shorturl.at/tJMP6 Tagging: Rentals United Guesty TravelNet Solutions Lynnbrook Group Inhabit ICND Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

John and Mateo dive into a candid conversation about the current landscape of short-term rental (STR) conferences, focusing on the recent VRMA Spring Forum. They discuss the challenges faced by both vendors and property managers, analyze the ROI (Return on Investment) metrics, and explore potential solutions to enhance the value of industry conferences. With insights from their own experiences and observations, they emphasize the importance of adaptability, inclusivity, and innovation in shaping the future of STR conferences. Join them as they share their thoughts, opinions, and hopes for the industry's most significant events. Episode Highlights: Episode Sponsor - Direct Deciding which property management software to use isn’t easy. Direct encourages everyone to demo a few options and see which is best for you now and for your growth. If you’re a host or property manager who is unhappy, it's a great time to talk with Direct! Direct is built on a modern framework that's intuitive and seamlessly integrates operations, distribution, connectivity, accounting, and engagement tools all within the software. Head to info.directsoftware.com/nobs and book a demo with John and receive $500 towards implementation costs. Direct wants to be part of the conversation.

Original article or post - Skift - Expedia Is Considering Ways to Introduce Sponsored Listings on Vrbo https://skift.com/2024/04/09/expedia-is-considering-ways-to-introduce-sponsored-listings-on-vrbo/By Dennis Schaal Tagging: Dennis Schaal, Rob Torres, Amiad Soto, Guesty VRBO Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

Mateo and John continue to delve into the world of short-term rentals in Canada. Joined by guest John Papaconstantinou of Papa's Getaways, they discuss the unique opportunities and challenges of the Canadian vacation rental market and John's journey into the industry. This episode features engaging discussions on industry dynamics, personal experiences, and strategic approaches to business. John Papa's journey serves as inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the evolving landscape of short-term rentals. Episode Highlights: Upcoming Events and Advocacy Opportunities: The upcoming CanStays Rental Alliance conference will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage with policymakers and advocate for fair regulations. Interested in checking out the Canstays Conference? Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference https://www.canstaysrentalalliance.com/tickets/ Episode Sponsor - Turno Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily...

Today we're diving into the regulatory challenges faced by short-term rental hosts, particularly in British Columbia, Canada. Our guest, Deana Steele founder of Keys To Kelowna, a limited edition luxury vacation homes & rental management company joins us in conversation. Deana sheds light and shares her insights into navigating BC's business and regulatory landscapes and enlightens us on the newest developments that have impacted the short-term rental industry up North. Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss! Episode Highlights: Upcoming Events and Advocacy Opportunities: The upcoming CanStays Rental Alliance conference will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage with policymakers and advocate for fair regulations. Interested in checking out the Canstays Conference? Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference

Original article or post - Short Term Rentalz - AJL Atelier unveils 2024 short-term rental industry landscape https://shorttermrentalz.com/news/ajl-atelier-2024-str-industry-landscape/ by Paul Stevens Tagging: Simon Lehmann Direct Software - https://directsoftware.com/ Book a PMS demo with John - https://meetings.hubspot.com/jstokinger/discovery - mention this no BS Daily Dose for $500 off implementation! Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

Original article or post - Forbes - Short-Term Rentals Are Getting Popular Again. Here’s Why https://www.forbes.com/sites/christopherelliott/2024/03/02/short-term-rentals-are-getting-popular-again-heres-why/?sh=325d8bc920fb by Christopher Elliott Tagging: Christopher ElliotCasey HalloranDanielle FinchMarcus RäderPierre-Camille Hamana Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

Original article or post - Skift - Airbnb’s New Listing Verification Process Favors Pro Hosts https://skift.com/2024/02/22/airbnbs-new-listing-verification-process-favors-pro-hosts/ by Dennis Schaal Tagging - Dennis Schaal- Executive Editor, Founding Editor, Employee Numero Uno, Chief Storyteller at Skift Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

In this episode, John and Mateo welcome a special guest, the one and only Catherine Radcliffe, founder of STR Benefits Consulting and Lost Together Stays. Tune in for valuable insights as Catherine shares the unique challenges and opportunities in the Canadian short-term rental market and introduces the CanStays Rental Alliance conference. Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss! Use Coupon Code Direct100 for $100 off when buying your tickets for the CanStays Rental Alliance Conference https://www.canstaysrentalalliance.com/tickets/ Episode Highlights Episode Sponsor - Turno Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno...

Original article or post - Harvard Business Review - What Does Banning Short-term Rentals Really Accomplish? https://hbr.org/2024/02/what-does-banning-short-term-rentals-really-accomplish by Sophie Calder-Wang, Chiara Farronato, and Andrey Fradkin Tagging - David Angotti - Chief Evangelist at Guesty, Founder of StaySense Is there an article or social post you'd like us to respond to on the no BS Daily Dose?? If so, please fill out this Google form- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1EoiHZ5PvtsTqDqvZDrhDWvrkDGPJcTVrhioaPO0S4nY/edit

This is the 2nd time that Dawn Yeskulsky has joined us on our podcast but the first as CEO & Founder of her own companies PMS Pros and Yes2vr Advisors. With 28 years of experience in Vacation Rentals touching the majority of customer-facing verticals, Dawn brings her unique perspective and knowledge to helping short-term rental property managers and vendors navigate complex decisions. A great listen! Episode Highlights Episode Sponsor - Turno Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

In this episode, hosts John and Mateo sit down with Nick Mote, CEO and Founder of Automate, JetML, and Oregon Labs. Nick shares his journey into the short-term rental industry, from his background in marketing to his ventures in machine learning and AI. Get ready for an insightful no BS conversation you won't want to miss! Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS Episode Highlights As the episode concludes, Nick leaves listeners with a challenge: to think about how technology can be leveraged to elevate hospitality without compromising the human element. The future of AI in the short-term rental industry holds exciting possibilities, and AutoMate Vacations aims to be at the forefront of this transformative journey. Episode Sponsor - Turno Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner...

We had the privilege of spending some time and getting to know Assaf Karmon CEO & Co-founder at Turno. Assaf shares his journey from a background in software engineering to solving problems in the short-term rental industry. The property care aspect of vacation rentals is complex and can be daunting to those ill-informed or to those who just "wing it". Turno is an amazing resource for property managers and hosts Additionally, we're excited to welcome Turno in as a new no BS show sponsor! Give it a listen! Visit this link for a $150 Offer for New Turno Users https://turno.com/noBS Episode Highlights Episode Sponsor - Turno Property Management and Hosting is Hard. Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be. Get Competitive Cleaning Bids on Turno’s Cleaner Marketplace Compare prices and services from vetted STR cleaners in your area and easily manage all your turnovers in one place the no BS podcast Listeners: $150 Offer for New Turno Users Complete your first turnover with a Turno Marketplace Cleaner by 3/31/2024. and receive a $150 Amazon gift card from Turno! visit: https://turno.com/nobs

This week it's just us as we recap the amazing year that was 2023! This is a super quick episode that touches on all the right things... but first make sure to visit this link for an EXCLUSIVE no BS 3-month FREE Membership to HostGPO! https://hostgpo.com/no-bs/ Episode Highlights