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: Villa Tracker is a new OTA that connects the vacation rental industry with traditional travel agencies, bridging a gap that has existed since the inception of platforms like Airbnb.
• History and Need: The vacation rental industry has traditionally excluded third-party professionals like travel agents. Villa Tracker seeks to integrate these professionals into the booking process, offering a B2B2C model.
• Target Audience Expansion: Villa Tracker aims to serve not just high-budget clients but also travelers who are looking for unique accommodations, including city apartments and luxury villas, with the help of their trusted travel agents.
• COVID-19 as a Catalyst: The demand for private accommodations during COVID-19 highlighted the need for vacation rentals in the travel industry, inspiring the creation of Villa Tracker.
• Challenges and Vision: Creating Villa Tracker required overcoming significant technical and trust-building difficulties, but the platform is poised to open new opportunities for property managers and travel agents alike.
• Partnership with Guesty: Villa Tracker's partnership with Guesty, a leading PMS, was critical in meeting high industry standards and launching the platform.
• Moriya's Journey: Moriya shares her story from managing a small property in Switzerland to creating a groundbreaking platform, emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in the industry.
• Industry Collaboration: The podcast highlights the collaborative nature of the vacation rental industry, where professionals push each other to innovate and grow, benefiting the industry as a whole.

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.

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