Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

Welcome to the first episode of STR Pricing Pulse, powered by Launchbase and Beyond.

Hosted by Launchbase Co-Founders, James Varley and Zak Ali, this episode dives into one of the biggest opportunities in the STR calendar – the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

We cover:

• What hosts can learn from Russia 2018
• Why demand won’t be “blanket high” across the tournament
• Why you should treat it like a series of Taylor Swift concerts (match-day spikes)
• What the Beyond data is telling us right now
• Minimum stay strategies during major events
• How to capture demand without killing visibility
• What to do if your calendar is still empty
• What “good performance” actually looks like

If you operate in a host city — or anywhere near one — this is essential listening.

- Be led by the data
- Be strategic with length of stay
- Stay alert and follow the event

1:51 What we can learn from the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup
4:02 There will not blanket high demand throughout the tournament 
5:54 Think of the World Cup like a series of Taylor Swift concerts (in this case, match days)
7:04 What the Beyond data is telling us 
9:20 What you need to do now to capture demand 
11:24 Be led by the data in terms of what is converting 
13:33 Minimum stay strategies during the FIFA World Cup
15:00 There will still be business not linked to the World Cup
16:31 How to find out who is searching for your property 
18:55 What to do if you’re facing an empty calendar 
21:17 Ensure your length of stay strategy ensures you’re still being seen 
23:10 Be alert and follow the event if you have rentals in a host city 
23:43 What does good performance look like?

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Zak Ali: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zak-a-056b2714/

Revenue. Marketing. Demand. Dialled in. Launchbase was created to help short-term rental operators and property managers align revenue management, marketing, and demand around a single commercial strategy. Find out more: https://www.launchbase.club/

Beyond is the Exclusive Data Partner of Launchbase. Ready to earn more money from your vacation rental? Try Beyond today: https://go.beyondpricing.com/en/demo-request/growth-plan?utm_source=partnership&utm_medium=sponsorship&utm_campaign=Launchbase+%7C+Sponsorship+%7C+1Q26

STR Pricing Pulse is a data-driven monthly podcast focused on revenue management for short-term rentals, Airbnb hosts, and vacation rental property managers who want to maximise occupancy, ADR, and overall revenue performance. Hosted by James Varley and Zak Ali, Co-Founders of Launchbase, the show breaks down real-time STR data, pricing strategy, demand forecasting, event-based revenue optimisation, minimum stay strategy, booking window analysis, conversion trends, and dynamic pricing tactics that help operators outperform their market. Powered by Launchbase and supported by Beyond as its Exclusive Data Partner, STR Pricing Pulse leverages advanced vacation rental analytics and revenue management insights to help hosts, property managers, and investors make smarter, data-led decisions in an increasingly competitive short-term rental marketplace.

What's it really like hosting in the Belize jungle?

In this episode of the Host Planet Playbook – powered by Hospitable – James Varley speaks with Cheryl McConnaughey, from Lucky Dreamer Lodge in Belize, about building a unique short-term rental business in one of the world’s bucket list destinations.

Cheryl shares:

• Her journey from running a US bed & breakfast to hosting in Belize
• The realities and challenges of operating in the jungle
• How to attract the right guests using social media, blogs, and SEO
• The essential amenities you need (even without air conditioning or microwaves!)
• How to deliver an authentic, memorable guest experience
• The biggest lesson she’s learned as a host

If you’re an Airbnb host, vacation rental owner, or property manager looking to create a distinctive guest experience and stand out in a competitive STR market, this episode is packed with practical insight.

Watch or listen now and discover what it takes to run a truly authentic short-term rental business.

1:45 Lucky Dreamer Lodge – hosting in the Belize jungle 
2:14 From bed & breakfast hosting in the US to Belize 
3:06 What Cheryl loves about Belize: the people
4:01 The challenges of hosting in the jungle 
8:15 How to attract the right types of guests (social media, blogs, SEO)
10:08 Belize is a bucket list destination
11:41 Essential amenities in the jungle, including an outdoor kitchen and laundry hut
13:48 Authentic hosting: no air conditioning and no microwaves!
17:02 Tips to deliver a great guest experience
20:30 Biggest lesson learned: don’t assume anything
21:26 Meeting people from across the globe 
22:30 Quickfire questions 
30:42 Industry shout-outs 
32:03 Ultimate goal for the business

Download a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbook

The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with  property management software, Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet

Lucky Dreamer Lodge: https://www.luckydreamerlodge.com/

The Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

The Host Planet Podcast is where Airbnb hosts, Booking.com hosts, Vrbo hosts, and short-term rental operators come to learn what actually works. Each episode features expert insights from people actively building, managing, and scaling short-term rentals, covering everything from Airbnb hosting fundamentals to advanced rental strategies. Whether you’re focused on guest satisfaction, rental management, or smarter automation tips, the show delivers practical advice you can apply immediately to improve performance and increase Airbnb bookings.

Across the series, we explore Airbnb host tips, listing optimization, price optimization, and Airbnb listing optimization – alongside real-world investing insights and behind-the-scenes Airbnb secrets you won’t hear elsewhere. From hosted conversations with industry leaders and Airbnb ambassadors to actionable guidance on bookings and short-term rental growth, Host Planet helps hosts navigate short term rentals with confidence and clarity.

The show is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: [email protected]

#DirectBookings #VacationRental #HostTips #ShortTermRental #GuestExperience #PropertyManagement #HostPlanetPlaybook #HostPlanet #Hospitable #PMS #PropertyManagementSoftware #Belize #Jungle #JungleHosting

Is the Airbnb review system fundamentally broken?

In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – James Varley sits down with Humphrey Bowles, Founder of Truvi, to challenge one of the most controversial parts of the short-term rental industry: reviews.

We discuss:

• Why a four-star review feels like the end of the world
• The real impact of one-star ratings on Airbnb hosts
• Whether guests should always receive five stars
• Why the “guest opinion circus” needs reform
• How luxury rentals are unfairly categorised
• What Airbnb could learn from Amazon and other review-led platforms
• Humphrey’s vision for a smarter, fairer review system

If you’re an Airbnb host, property manager, or vacation rental operator worried about ratings, this episode will make you rethink how reviews should work in the STR industry.

Watch now and join the debate.

0:00 Why is the short-term rental review system broken?
0:55 A four-star review feels like the end of the world
3:35 Should you give every guest a five-star rating on Airbnb?
5:47 The whole guest opinion circus needs to change 
7:26 The impact of poor reviews on Airbnb
10:29 The impact of getting a one-star review on Airbnb
12:23 Should guests be encouraged to be brutally honest?
15:46 Humphrey’s vision of a new review system
19:39 Who decides which section a rental ends up in?
23:09 Luxury properties don’t want to be lumped in with the rest
26:08 Should we learn from Amazon and other review-focused platforms?
28:45 ‘Better than beautiful lies’ – the mindset shifts hosts should make

Looking for a great property management software or digital guidebook?
You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo

Email Frank: [email protected] 

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Humphrey Bowles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humphrey-bowles/

Truvi: https://truvi.com/

Episode to check next: 
The 2026 Holiday Let Compliance Checklist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITvlxKPA8v0&t=1s

The Host Planet Podcast is where Airbnb hosts, Booking.com hosts, Vrbo hosts, and short-term rental operators come to learn what actually works. Each episode features expert insights from people actively building, managing, and scaling short-term rentals, covering everything from Airbnb hosting fundamentals to advanced rental strategies. Whether you’re focused on guest satisfaction, rental management, or smarter automation tips, the show delivers practical advice you can apply immediately to improve performance and increase Airbnb bookings.

Across the series, we explore Airbnb host tips, listing optimization, price optimization, and Airbnb listing optimization – alongside real-world investing insights and behind-the-scenes Airbnb secrets you won’t hear elsewhere. From hosted conversations with industry leaders and Airbnb ambassadors to actionable guidance on bookings and short-term rental growth, Host Planet helps hosts navigate short term rentals with confidence and clarity.

The show is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: [email protected]

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #HumphreyBowles #Truvi

What will separate winning short-term rental hosts from the rest in 2026?

In this Host Planet Bitesize episode, powered by Hostfully, Sally Henry from Key Data breaks down five critical trends every STR host and property manager needs to understand – from pricing agility and rate discipline to shrinking booking windows and changing guest behaviour.

Covered in this episode:

• Why pricing agility matters more than ever
• Why cheaper isn’t always better
• Shorter stays and tighter booking windows
• Airbnb and Booking.com gaining ground on direct bookings
• What the data is telling us about 2026

2:06 Rate agility – be super dialled-in to your pricing
3:59 Host Planet Roadshow: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-roadshow
5:21 Rate discipline – cheaper is not always better 
7:31 Length of stay continues to contract 
10:36 Booking windows are getting shorter 
12:17 Direct bookings channels are losing market share to Airbnb and Booking.com
15:42 Key Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/products/prodata?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook

Looking for a great property management software or digital guidebook? You need Hostfully!

Check out these special offers:

Property Management Software: Get $500 off onboarding by using the code PLANET500.

Digital Guidebooks: Get 30% off for life by using the code HOSTPLANETGB.

Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://tinyurl.com/3ay8bhtk

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-Demo

Email Frank: [email protected] 

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Sally Henry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-henry-3516229/

Key Data: https://www.keydatadashboard.com/products/prodata?utm_source=referral&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook

Episode to check next: 5 Reasons Your STR Needs AI Right Now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GM-zt2OvS3k

The Host Planet Podcast is where Airbnb hosts, Booking.com hosts, Vrbo hosts, and short-term rental operators come to learn what actually works. Each episode features expert insights from people actively building, managing, and scaling short-term rentals, covering everything from Airbnb hosting fundamentals to advanced rental strategies. Whether you’re focused on guest satisfaction, rental management, or smarter automation tips, the show delivers practical advice you can apply immediately to improve performance and increase Airbnb bookings.

Across the series, we explore Airbnb host tips, listing optimization, price optimization, and Airbnb listing optimization – alongside real-world investing insights and behind-the-scenes Airbnb secrets you won’t hear elsewhere. From hosted conversations with industry leaders and Airbnb ambassadors to actionable guidance on bookings and short-term rental growth, Host Planet helps hosts navigate short term rentals with confidence and clarity.

The show is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: [email protected]

#HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetBitesize #ShortTermRentals #VacationRentals #HolidayLets #Airbnb #BookDirect #PropertyManagement #PropertyInvestment #BookingCom #Vrbo #JamesVarley #Hostfully #PMS #DigitalGuidebooks #SpecialOffer #DirectBookings #STRMarketing #Sally Henry #KeyData #Trends

Turnovers are the hardest – and most stressful – part of running a short-term rental. But they don’t have to be.

In this episode of Turnover Tactics, James Varley is joined by Assaf Karmon, CEO and Co-Founder of Turno, to break down what actually goes wrong with turnovers – and how the best operators fix it.

We cover:

• Why turnovers cause more stress than any other part of hosting
• Why some high-income investors still clean their own rentals (and why that’s a big problem)
• The most common turnover mistakes hosts make
• What breaks first when you start to scale – and how to overcome it
• Where automation has the biggest impact on operations
• Why optimising for stability beats chasing the lowest cost
• Individual cleaners vs cleaning companies
• Cultural differences between US hosts and other markets
• What a great turnover really looks like (so your business can run without you)

1:44 Turnovers are the hardest part of hosting
5:04 So many high-income investors clean their own rentals (which is crazy!)
6:57 Why turnovers cause so much stress 
8:15 Assaf’s lightbulb moment which led to founding Turno 
10:47 The most common turnover mistakes 
14:38 What breaks first when you scale – and how do you overcome that?
17:20 Where automation can make the biggest difference for vacation rental hosts
20:19 Optimise for stability over cost 
23:47 Working with individual cleaners or companies 
25:42 The cultural differences between hosts in the US and other parts of the world 
27:52 What a great turnover should look like – you can run your rental from your grave!

If you’re a host or property manager looking to scale sustainably, reduce stress, and build a business that doesn’t rely on you, this episode is a must-watch.

Turnover Tactics is powered by Turno – the all-in-one cleaning and turnover management platform built specifically for short-term rental hosts. Click here to get started: https://turno.com/find-cleaners/?utm_source=ad&utm_medium=promoted&utm_campaign=hch_a_to_z

Turnover Tactics is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

Assaf Karmon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/assafkarmon/

#ShortTermRentals #VacationRental #AirbnbHost #STRHosts #PropertyManagement #HolidayLets #ProfessionalHosting #TurnoverTactics #STRCleaning #RentalOperations #Turnovers #GuestExperience #FiveStarHosting #CleaningSystems #MajorEvents #EventHosting #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #MegaEvents #HighDemandHosting #EventPricing #Turno #STRTech #PropertyManagementSoftware #Automation #HostTools #HospitalityTech #HostPlanet #HostPlanetPodcast #HostPlanetYouTube #VacationRentalCommunity #USHosts #CanadaHosts #MexicoHosts #GlobalHosting