The HolidayHero Blog

Field notes on running the stay.

AI in hospitality, the operations playbook, and honest comparisons — written for mid-market operators.

What is a guest experience platform?

Enhance your vacation rental with a Guest Experience Platform. Save time, boost satisfaction, and increase revenue. Try HolidayHero now!

Kevin Hoft · 3 min read
Crafting an Exceptional Guest Journey

Explore the art of hospitality in every step of the guest journey. From pre-arrival anticipation to the stay experience, departure, and beyond—discover the key stages designed to make every guest feel special. Elevate your understanding of hospitality excellence.

Kevin Hoft · 4 min read
9 vacation rental marketing tips to increase bookings

Maximize vacation rental bookings with strategic marketing. Optimize online presence, engage on social media, and leverage guest experience apps!

Kevin Hoft · 2 min read
Spain's Supreme Court just struck down the NRUA registry

Supreme Court strikes down Spain's NRUA registry. The Ventanilla Única survives, your numbers stay valid, and platforms still want them. Here's why.

Kevin Hoft · 5 min read
2026 Hotel Conferences and Trade Shows in Portugal

Complete guide to hotel conferences and trade shows in Portugal for 2026. Discover BTL, Web Summit, AHRESP Congress, and Portuguese hospitality events in Lisbon and Porto.

Kevin Hoft · 3 min read
Booking Holdings Is Spending $700M to Lock In Its Platform Advantage — What That Means for Partners

Booking Holdings announced a $700M reinvestment plan at Q4 2025 earnings. The strategy targets loyalty, agentic AI, and merchant model expansion — with real consequences for accommodation operators.

Kevin Hoft · 3 min read
Airbnb Is Now Competing for Hotels — What That Means for Independent Properties

Airbnb confirmed a major hotel expansion strategy in February 2026. Here's what boutique and independent hotel operators need to understand about what's changing and why it matters.

Kevin Hoft · 4 min read
Airbnb Updated Its Terms of Service — Here's What Operators Need to Know Before April 20

Airbnb's updated Terms of Service take effect for existing hosts and guests on April 20, 2026. Key changes cover ranking transparency, arbitration, and payment controls.

Kevin Hoft · 6 min read
TripAdvisor Is Under Pressure to Sell — What Operators Need to Know About the Starboard Proxy Fight

Activist investor Starboard Value launched a board takeover bid at TripAdvisor in February 2026 and is pushing for a full company sale. Here's what this means for operators who depend on the platform.

Kevin Hoft · 5 min read

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