113. How AI Search Will Drive More Direct Bookings

113. How AI Search Will Drive More Direct Bookings

AI search is changing how guests find places to stay and most STR operators aren't ready for it. We sit down with Jason Cincotta, CEO of Kismet, to break down how tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews are reshaping guest discovery. Jason brings a hotel development background to the conversation and explains why Kismet is now building infrastructure for short-term rentals, starting with the three things AI needs to recommend and book a property: visibility, operability, and bookability. We run a live search for boutique hotels in Sarasota to see exactly how AI ranks results, and what it's actually pulling from ratings, reviews, location data, and structured property content. The gap between operators who show up and those who don't comes down to whether their properties are machine-readable. If you're relying on OTAs to handle discovery, this episode is a wake-up call. Connect with me.... YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/patryk_swietek/ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/ Connect with Jason Cincotta via email jason@kismet.travel or kismet.travel to book a demo.

112. The World Cup Demand Surge: Myth vs. Reality

I sat down with James Varley, CEO of Host Planet, to break down STR education and how to actually make money hosting around mega-events like the World Cup. James spent nearly 10 years in corporate communications for Qatar's 2022 World Cup before buying UK holiday lets and noticing a massive gap in quality STR education. That gap became Host Planet. We dig into the real demand picture: pricing comes in waves, depends on which teams play in your market, and concentrates in the group stage. Stay nimble, manage your minimum stays, and ditch the "riches all month" fantasy. Plus, what Host Planet has coming next, including a potential US expansion. Connect with me.... YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/patryk_swietek/ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/ Connect with James Varley on: Email:  james@hostplanet.club LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/ Website:  hostplanet.club

111. The Revenue Expert Behind the World’s Largest STR Company Shares His Pricing Philosophy

Dr. Zak Ali joins the show to break down what modern revenue management really looks like in the short-term rental industry and why it's far more than just setting prices in software. With over 20 years of experience across airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, and hospitality technology, Dr. Zak shares lessons from leading revenue management for 110,000+ units at Awaze and consulting with operators around the world. We dive into the metrics that actually matter, how to price unique properties, why most operators focus on the wrong data, and how AI is changing (but not replacing) revenue management. If you're a property manager, vacation rental operator, or hospitality professional looking to increase revenue, improve forecasting, and stay ahead of market trends, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Connect with me.... YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/patryk_swietek/ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/ Connect with Dr. Zak on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-a-056b2714/

110. 5 to 40 STR Units: Here's What Actually Changes

In this episode, we sit down with Mariam of Lume Stays and Natalie Bykov of The Orange Cabins, two powerhouse co-hosts and full-time moms who built thriving short-term rental businesses from the ground up. They share what it actually took to scale from a few properties with no software to 40 units and beyond.We get into the real operational stuff: when to hire your first VA, how to structure shifts, what a boots-on-the-ground person actually does, and how to know when your ops manager is maxed out. Mariam breaks down her referral incentive strategy with vendors and how dominating Desert Hot Springs gave her a natural path into Palm Springs. Natalie shares how a single viral video drove millions of views and turned social media into her biggest lead source. At the same time, she and her husband Alex, run active outbound sales calls to grow their Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear portfolio.We also talk about working with spouses, letting go of guest messaging, and why they both believe hospitality still needs a human touch. Connect with me....YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/patryk_swietek/ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/ Connect with Mariam & Natalie on:Mariam: https://www.instagram.com/mariam.av_/Natalie: https://www.instagram.com/nataliebykov/Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/confessionsofahost/

109. The Challenges Of Growing to 100 Units

Chris Petzy, co-owner and CEO of Seacoast 2 Summit Vacation Rentals, discusses scaling from a self-managed two-family property to 120+ short-term rentals through inbound leads, referrals, and operational discipline. In this episode, we cover how Chris and his partner divide responsibilities between sales, marketing, and operations, what changes as you grow from operator to CEO, and why scaling a vacation rental management company is really about people, roles, systems, and quality control. You’ll also hear how Chris thinks about direct bookings, AI tools, CRM systems, homeowner communication, maintenance workflows, VAs vs. stateside staff, and building the leadership structure needed to grow without sacrificing service or family time. Connect with me.... YouTube Channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@patrykswietek Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/patryk_swietek/ Facebook Group: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/groups/strnation/ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispetzy/