Sometimes, one small change can have a huge impact on your business.

In the penultimate mini episode of The Accommodation Show, I sat down with Julie George, author of Million Dollar Host, to talk about one simple yet brilliant tip that can help you stand out in 2025. This isn’t about big budgets or major renovations—it’s about creating a memorable guest experience that drives better reviews, more repeat bookings, and higher revenue.

If you're looking for a fresh idea to kickstart your inspiration for the year ahead, this episode is for you.

Julie shares a surprisingly simple way to surprise and delight your guests—something that keeps them engaged until the very last day of their stay and makes them want to book again.

It’s the small details that make the biggest difference.

SHOW LINKS:

📌 Julie George’s Website – https://www.milliondollarhost.com.au

#GuestExperience #SurpriseAndDelight #StandOut2025

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - Introduction

00:44 - Behind the Scenes at the Head State Conference

00:51 - Biggest 2024 Takeaways for Accommodation Hosts

01:30 - Surprise and Delight: Transforming Guest Experiences

01:56 - The Genius Lockbox Idea That Guests Will Love

03:20 - Wrapping Up: Final Insights

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What makes guests choose one property over another?

Is it the price? The location? The number of bedrooms?

While all of those factors matter, the reality is your property needs to stand out from the moment a guest lays eyes on it, whether that’s on an OTA, your website, or social media.

This episode is part of my special mini-series where I sit down with top industry professionals and ask them:

“What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”

With competition heating up and guest expectations rising, it’s no longer enough to simply list your property and hope for the best. You need to make strategic updates to ensure your property gets seen, booked, and remembered.

I sat down with Craig Westaway from BNB Booking, a short-term rental legend who manages some of Australia’s most sought-after high-end properties. Craig has built a business around delivering an exceptional guest experience—one that drives repeat bookings and higher nightly rates.

Craig’s answer?

Optimisation is …

SHOW LINKS:

📌 BNB Booking Website – https://bnbbooking.com.au

📌 Follow Craig on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-westaway

#ListingOptimisation #GuestExperience #MoreBookings2025

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:31 Overview of B&B Booking

01:24 Challenges in Short-Term Rentals

02:29 Importance of Quality and Experience

05:48 Tips for 2025 and Listing Optimization

09:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

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Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Regulation. A rule or directive made and maintained by an authorityThe act of controlling or maintaining something according to a system or standardRegulation often sparks fear in our industry, but what if it could also bring legitimacy, stability, and long-term success?This season on The Accommodation Show, I’ve been sitting down with industry leaders to ask one simple but powerful question: “What’s your #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025?”For many property managers, regulation is the elephant in the room; it’s unpredictable, ever-changing, and, let’s be honest, a little terrifying. The uncertainty around new rules can make it hard to plan ahead, and some hosts are worried about how these changes will affect their business.That’s why, in this episode, I spoke with Eacham Curry, Senior Director of Government & Corporate Affairs at Expedia Group, to uncover his top tip for 2025.SHOW LINKS:Expedia Group: https://www.expedia.com/ #FutureProofYourRental#RegulationInsights#AccommodationGrowth📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:42 Meet Eacham Curry: Role and Expertise01:13 Why Regulation Matters for Short-Term Rentals03:11 Understanding the Current Regulatory Landscape05:53 How to Engage with Local Councils on Regulation08:53 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

What separates businesses that thrive from those that merely survive? It’s often the ability to adapt, evolve, and make informed decisions based on insights, not guesswork.This week, I’m thrilled to feature Sally Henry, VP of Business Development at Key Data. With over two decades of experience in the vacation rental space, Sally has helped property managers navigate market changes and achieve sustainable growth.What’s Sally’s #1 tip for 2025?SHOW LINKSKey Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/#PropertyManagementTips #ShortTermRentals #AccommodationSuccess📋 In this episode, we discuss:00:00 - Introduction01:16 - Accommodation Industry Insights from an Expert03:14 - Transforming Short-Term Rentals04:40 - Top Property Management Tips for Success08:47 - Optimising Channel Distribution for Better Results09:41 - Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Sally Henry▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊 Need more direct bookings or a brand new website? The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results. 🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES! 📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.Affiliate Disclaimer: This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links. This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them. If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

Welcome back to The Accommodation Show!

In this season of The Accommodation Show, I wanted to ask a simple but powerful question to the experts I meet when travelling to conferences around the world: What’s the #1 tip for accommodation businesses in 2025? Their answers might surprise you, challenge you, and most importantly, inspire you to take action and future-proof your business. Over the coming weeks, I’ll be bringing you these insights, straight from the source, so you can apply them and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

So this week, I’m diving into a topic that often takes a back seat in our marketing efforts; safety. If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that safety isn't just a necessity, it's can also be a powerful marketing tool that can set your accommodation business apart. Many accommodation providers focus on aesthetics, amenities, and guest experience but often overlook the fundamental aspect that truly matters to guests: feeling safe and secure. In this episode, I sit down with Justin Ford, an industry leader in short-term rental safety, to uncover how prioritising safety can actually drive more bookings and create a better guest experience.

SHOW LINKS:

Breezeway - https://www.breezeway.io

Justin Ford LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-ford-62492a47

#ShortTermRentalSuccess #STRsafety #MarketingYourProperty

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 - Introduction and welcome

00:22 - My journey through global accommodation conferences

00:51 - Speaking with industry leaders and sharing insights

01:15 - Why safety is a key focus for 2025

02:05 - Introducing Justin Ford and his expertise in STR safety

03:20 - How marketing safety can boost your bookings

04:45 - Addressing common guest safety concerns

06:10 - Practical safety tips you can implement now

07:35 - The financial benefits of prioritising safety

09:00 - Leveraging safety in your branding and communication

10:30 - How to anticipate guest behaviour and prevent incidents

12:00 - Final thoughts and how to stay connected with Justin

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!

Last year, I had the pleasure of once again attending VRMA, the world's largest STR conference. This event is attended by hundreds of people, from tech vendors to property managers, to homeowners and everything in between. This is a place where you get inspired about your own business, where you learn from the best, but most importantly you get to meet the people behind the companies.

At this year's VRMA I had the pleasure of being introduced to Bart-Jan Leyts and boy was it worth it. Oh, and this is the first time I have ever interviewed someone with the same name as me 🤭

Today I get to share with you tips on how to get your business to rank number 1 on an OTA.

Be it booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia or any of the others, Bart shares his insights, which you will love.

Things have changed over the last 12-24 months. If you watched last week's episode where I talk about trends, you will know that the competitors have stepped up the game and being listed on an OTA isn’t enough, you need to be listed at the top. Ranking number one on an OTA can dramatically impact your bookings, revenue, and guest reach. With ever-increasing competition, getting your strategy right is essential.

What you will learn from this episode:

How OTA ranking algorithms work and why they matter 🔍

The top five factors that influence your listing's visibility 💡

Why updating your listings regularly drives momentum 📚

The impact of photos and descriptions on guest engagement 📷

How to balance your distribution strategy across multiple OTAs 🌎

SHOW LINKS

Otamiser: https://www.otamiser.com

Hashtags

#HospitalityTips #BoostBookings #OTAOptimisation #IncreaseRevenue

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 Introduction to Bart Jan Leit and Otamiser

05:46 Why Guest Experience Affects OTA Rankings

12:07 Availability and Pricing: Key Factors for Visibility

18:07 How to Use Keywords and Tags Effectively

24:01 Mastering Dynamic Pricing and Seasonal Adjustments

29:55 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

🎧 Don't forget to subscribe!

In today’s episode, I’m excited to welcome back Peter Syme, a true thought leader who has kept his finger on the pulse of AI’s evolution. Together, we’ll dive into what lies ahead, exploring the strategies and insights that can help you harness this technology not just now, but for the long term. We cover why AI is more than just a buzzword; it’s a practical tool that can help you scale your business, reduce inefficiencies, and better serve your guests. From leveraging AI agents to enhancing your booking process, the strategies we discuss are designed to make your business more agile and profitable in an increasingly competitive market.

Peter brings his wealth of knowledge to the table (he really is a legend of the tourism industry), offering insights that are not only thought-provoking but immediately actionable. We discuss everything from training your staff to use AI effectively to the ways it can enhance the guest journey without losing the human touch.

SHOW LINKS

Peter Syme Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petersyme/

Tourpreneur Community: https://tourpreneur.com/

Hashtags:

#HospitalityInnovation #AIInAccommodation #TransformYourBusiness

📋 In this episode, we discuss:

00:00 The Passion for Travel and Hospitality

05:13 How AI is Shaping the Hospitality Industry

10:13 Tactical vs. Strategic AI: What's the Difference?

17:59 AI Agents: Redefining the Customer Journey

22:11 Scaling Tourism Businesses with AI

29:23 The Role of AI in Travel Planning

41:13 The Paradigm Shift: The Future of AI

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🥊 Hotel - BNB - STR Owners! 🥊

Need more direct bookings or a brand new website?

The trusted tech partner you can count on. We deliver results.

🥊 https://www.ibooked.online ​​​​​​​​​​​🥊

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Don't forget to hit that subscribe button! This also keeps us going and creating more useful content for free!

ACCOMMODATION OWNERS AND MANAGERS FREE RESOURCES!

📧Join the mailing list for freebies and critical industry updates: https://news.theaccommodationshow.com/

🌍The Accommodation Owners and Managers Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/AMoFacebookCommunity

🗨 Connect with Bart Sobies for more industry insight: https://www.ibooked.online/bart/

🎙 Subscribe to the podcast to listen later: https://www.theaccommodationshow.com

▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Disclaimer: The content shared on this YouTube channel, Podcast, or associated posts reflects personal opinions and insights. This content is not intended as legal, financial, or investment advice. Always consult with licensed professionals before making decisions. The hosts and guests disclaim liability for any consequences of using this content. Actions taken should be based on your personal due diligence.

Affiliate Disclaimer:

This blog, podcast & youtube channel; will occasionally contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission on a purchase without additional cost to you, if you buy something through my links.

This show aims to educate viewers and share everything I know about improving your accommodation, STR and AirBNB business. I believe in the products and services we link to and that you may benefit from them.

If you do purchase through my affiliate links; I want to thank you for your support.