The conversation delves into the role of AI in vacation rentals, focusing on its impact on property management and the future of human work. It explores the potential of AI to revolutionize the industry and the need for property managers to adapt to the changing landscape. The discussion also highlights the importance of understanding and leveraging AI tools to enhance the guest experience and drive direct bookings.

Takeaways

• AI in Vacation Rentals
• Impact of AI on Property Management

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to AI in Vacation Rentals
• 07:04 The Impact of AI on Human Work
• 17:01 The Future of AI in Property Management

We share the most useful lessons from 2025 and stack them against bold, data-backed predictions for 2026. Guests from data, software, brokerage, and luxury operations add a wide lens on AI reliance, flexible stays, regulation, and quality.

• investing time in tools already owned
• doubling down on top performers
• daily hands-on revenue management
• pivoting calendars and cancellation rules
• AI discovery and answer engine optimization
• service quality as the true moat
• regulation readiness in an election year
• K-shaped economy across guests, owners, staff
• short stays rising in a hybrid model
• AI fraud risk and mitigation
• direct booking growth via autonomous marketing
• quality reset and asset preservation

Send us a line. What predictions do you have for 2026?

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Disaster preparation in the vacation rental industry typically focuses on protecting properties and communicating with owners and guests—but what about the people who make your business run? In this eye-opening episode, Hospitality Heroes co-founder April Burns joins hosts Tim Cafferty and Tiffany Edwards to reveal the five critical mistakes property managers make when planning for natural disasters.

Drawing from her firsthand experience during Hurricane Helene's devastating impact on Western North Carolina, April shares powerful stories of communities cut off from help, families separated during evacuations, and the extraordinary impact that proper preparation could have made. "Superman is not coming," she reminds listeners, underscoring that proactive planning is essential for survival and recovery.

From failing to help employees understand their evacuation options to overlooking the importance of digital documentation backups, these common mistakes can prove catastrophic during emergencies. The conversation explores innovative solutions like cross-regional partnerships between property management companies, creating expanded emergency contact networks, and establishing regional supply caches with specialized equipment beyond just water donations.

The discussion extends beyond theory to practical action steps, including how vacation rental managers can immediately improve their disaster readiness using resources available at HospitalityHeroes.org. You'll discover why expanding your emergency planning to include housekeepers, vendors, and community partners isn't just compassionate—it's essential for business continuity.

Whether you manage properties in hurricane zones, wildfire regions, or flood-prone areas, this episode provides crucial insights for protecting your team and business when disaster strikes. Remember: "It's not a matter of if it's going to happen. It's a matter of when."