Host Planet: Expert Insights for Short-Term Rentals

• From Psychology to STR Leader: Anna Morris on Hosting in Scotland

  In this Host Planet Playbook feature, sponsored by Hospitable, James speaks with Anna Calder Urquhart Morris from Adore Scotland and The Edinburgh Address.Anna shares her remarkable journey from studying psychology to taking over her family’s apartment and ultimately scaling into one of Scotland’s most respected short-term rental operators.She discusses the mindset and transferable skills that helped her grow from one property to more than 100, the unique challenges of hosting in Edinburgh, and the impact of Scotland’s controversial licensing laws. Anna also explains why lawmakers need to listen more closely to the sector, how the regulations have affected the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and what it takes to deliver an exceptional guest experience while keeping owners happy.1:43 Adore Scotland and The Edinburgh Address2:16 Anna’s STR journey: from psychology to running a family apartment5:40 The transferable skills from psychology8:47 Scaling from 1-10010:17 Hosting in Edinburgh11:29 Scotland’s controversial licensing laws for short-term rentals15:55 Scottish lawmakers need to listen to the sector16:59 How licensing has affected the Edinburgh Festival Fringe19:12 How to deliver a great guest experience21:16 How to keep owners happy23:27 What Anna loves most about her work24:28 Quickfire questions27:50 Shoutout28:28 Ultimate goal for the businessDownload a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbookThe Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with the 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/hostplanetAnna Calder Urquart Morris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-calder-urquhart-morris-85533317/Adore Scotland: https://www.adorescotland.com/The Edinburgh Address: https://www.theedinburghaddress.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/

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• What STRs Must Learn from Holiday Parks & Hotels

  In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast – powered by Hostfully – James sits down with Zen Valli from RMS Cloud for a masterclass in cross-industry learning.Zen shares what short-term rental operators can take from holiday parks and hotels, where the biggest upsell opportunities are hiding, and why giving guests a reason to book direct is more essential than ever.You’ll also hear his take on the ideal lean tech stack, which integrations deliver the best ROI, and the lessons holiday parks can learn from the STR world. Plus, Zen reveals his favourite brands and the biggest lesson he’s learned in the industry.0:39 What can short-term rentals learn from holiday parks6:59 Upselling opportunities 8:15 What can STR operators learn from hotels10:39 What can holiday parks learn from STRs13:52 The ideal lean tech stack for STRs15:08 Give your guests a reason to book direct16:38 Which integrations deliver the most ROI17:43 RMS Cloud18:26 Favourite brands19:33 Biggest lesson learnedLooking for a great PMS 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/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Zen Valli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zunaid-zen-v-06091b8a/RMS Cloud: https://www.rmscloud.com/Episode to check next: How Short-Term Rental Hosts Can Utilise AI Today: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJCr2Aq47v0&t=1183sHost Planet Podcast 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 #ZenValli #RMSCloud #HolidayParks

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• Beyond’s Guide to Profitable Slow Periods

  In this episode of Host Planet Bitesize, powered by Hostfully, Charlie Gibbons from Beyond shares a clear playbook for autumn/winter: watch your booking lead times, don’t slash rates too fast, and judge success by REVPAN (revenue per available night) – not vanity metrics.Charlie tackles minimum stay rules, stresses knowing your true costs so every booking is profitable, and shows how to adapt tactics as the market shifts. Smart, practical moves to keep calendars healthy when demand softens.1:56 Booking lead times matter3:38 Don’t tank the rate too quickly4:49 Revenue is the goal – but the definition of success can change6:59 Charlie’s message to hosts who don’t want to drop their minimum stay rules8:19 REVPAN (revenue per available night) is the most important metric11:00 It’s critical to understand your numbers (and make a profit)13:04 Play to your strengths15:11 Leverage strategies that evolve as your market does18:33 Check out Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024Looking for a great PMS 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/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Charlie Gibbons: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-gibbons-875a51116/Beyond: https://www.beyondpricing.com/products/why-beyond?utm_medium=seo&utm_source=partner-2024&utm_campaign=holiday_cottage_handbook_2024Episode to check next: Which Tools Actually Boost Your Airbnb Income?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJCFX9ExvIc&t=36sHost Planet Bitesize 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 #CharlieGibbons #Beyond #ShoulderSeason #DynamicPricing #RevenueManagement

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• From Travel Club to STR Powerhouse – South Africa's Euphoric Leisure

  In this Host Planet Playbook episode, Dean McLuckie shares the roller-coaster rise of Euphoric Leisure in South Africa – from a travel club to scaling fast in a complex, ever-evolving STR market.We dig into regulation challenges, how industry rivals have united to protect responsible hosting, and what makes Euphoric Leisure stand out. Dean drops practical tips for five-star guest experience, why you should never waste a good crisis, and how joy returns to the job when you get the guest journey right.1:52 The story of Euphoric Leisure2:21 From a travel club to the short-term rentals industry (via Netflix)4:32 The wild journey from 0-1006:46 How the South African STR space is developing8:12 The challenges in South Africa, starting with regulation13:15 The threat of regulation has united competitors in South Africa 16:05 What makes Euphoric Leisure stand out19:01 Tips to deliver an outstanding guest experience23:43 Never waste a good crisis26:09 Delivering a great guest experience makes the job joyful27:22 Quickfire questions32:02 Shout-out: Nick Taylor32:53 Ultimate goalDownload a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbookThe Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with the 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/hostplanetDean McLuckie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmcluckie/Euphoric Leisure: https://euphoricleisure.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/

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• How Short-Term Rental Hosts Can Utilise AI Today

  In this Host Planet Podcast, powered by Hostfully, Florian Montag from Apaleo breaks down how short-term rental managers can use AI today – including what tools to try, the best live use cases, and where humans still matter.We touch on OpenAI’s Operator model, practical workflows for tech-savvy hosts to stay ahead, and the STR trends for 2025 (including what Airbnb is up to). Florian also spotlights standout operators and closes with actionable tips to start – or scale – your AI journey.0:52 How should STR managers be using AI?4:46 The AI tools STR managers should be trying6:57 The best use cases involving AI right now11:12 AI won’t take over completely13:45 How can tech-savvy hosts stay ahead of the curve in relation to AI17:35 OpenAI’s Operator model20:46 Apaleo24:24 STR trends in 2025, including what Airbnb is up to26:04 Favourite brand: Cuckoo and Co in Switzerland 27:16 Shout-out: Jessica Gillingham from Abode Worldwide28:06 Top tips for people who want to use AILooking for a great PMS 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/3ay8bhtkKeen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://tinyurl.com/Hostfully-DemoEmail Frank: [email protected] Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/Florian Montag: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fmontag/Apaleo: https://apaleo.com/Episode to check next: UK STR Outlook: Late Bookings, Channel Mix & Pricing Discipline: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnaFLgeYjl4&t=1sHost Planet Podcast 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 #AI #FlorianMontag #Apaleo

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