Tips for successful vacation hosts
Everything you need to know for a successful tourist season — from apartment preparation, legal obligations, to commission-free direct bookings.
How to prepare your apartment for the 2026 season — complete guide
Every tourist season starts with preparation. The difference between an average and excellent host is how ready you are before the first guest arrives.
How much Booking.com really costs you — commission calculator
Booking.com charges 15-25% commission on every reservation. For an average apartment, that means €2,000 to €8,000 per year.
10 things guests notice in the first 5 minutes
The review is written in the first 5 minutes. Everything after just confirms the first impression.
How to respond to a negative review — 5 examples
Every host gets a negative review. The question is not whether it will happen, but how you react.
Flat-rate rental business in Croatia — everything you need to know in 2026
If you rent out an apartment in Croatia, a flat-rate business is the simplest legal path.
How to photograph your apartment for Booking — 10 tips
A guest decides in 3 seconds — click or scroll past. That decision depends on the first photo.
Why you need your own website alongside Booking.com
Booking.com is great for new guests. But if Booking is your only channel — you have a problem.
The ultimate pre-season apartment checklist — 25 items you can't skip
Experienced hosts don't memorise — they use a checklist. These 25 items cover every corner of your apartment, from kitchen drawers to WiFi passwords.
A welcome pack that makes an impression — what to include and what it costs
For €2-3 per guest, you can dramatically improve the first impression. A welcome pack isn't a cost — it's an investment in reviews.
Google Business profile for your apartment — a free channel for direct bookings
Google Business is free and takes 30 minutes to set up. Every guest who searches for you on Google should find your page — not Booking.
How to get a 5-star review — 7 rules the best hosts follow
The difference between 4 and 5 stars isn't luxury — it's the details. Learn the 7 rules hosts with an average above 4.8 follow.
Smart lock for your apartment — self check-in guests love
The guest arrives at 11 PM, you're 200 km away. With a key — problem. With a smart lock — "Your code is 4729, enter whenever you arrive." Review: 5 stars.
How to turn a guest into a repeat guest — 5 strategies for repeat bookings
A repeat guest is gold. No Booking commission, they already know your apartment, no surprises, and better reviews. The only question is — how to win them over.
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Tourism news
MCE, Paralympics, and Fashion Week push Milan hotel room rates to March record
CoStar data shows Milan hotels achieved record March performance with EUR202.42 ADR, driven by Fashion Week, MCE tradshow, and Winter Paralympics.
India to Add 70,000 Hotel Rooms by 2030 in Hospitality Surge
India has a wide demand-supply gap in the hospitality industry. As investors increase their focus on the sector, companies are leveraging the capital to drive quick expansion.
Stonebridge Chooses Otelier to Centralize Data and Drive Innovation
Stonebridge will deploy Otelier's platform across 160+ hotels to replace spreadsheet-driven processes and legacy systems with centralized data management.
xnPOS and Elavon partner to deliver new integrated mobile POS and payment device
The mobile device combines xnPOS software with Elavon payment processing on Castles Technology hardware, allowing hotel staff to take orders and process payments anywhere on property.
Storey Hotel Management Expands Stayntouch PMS Across Growing Portfolio
Storey Hotel Management now uses Stayntouch PMS across 6 properties with 500+ rooms, including recent additions The Fairlane Hotel and The Walton Residence.
Amadeus Travel Dreams 2026: How AI, mental wellbeing, and sustainability are redefining travel value
Amadeus research reveals travelers prioritize mental health benefits, with 74% wanting personalized experiences and willingness to pay 11.7% premium for sustainability.
Sri Lanka Partners With Alipay+ to Tap Into Asia’s Booming Travel Market
As intra-Asia travel picks up, destinations are waking up to the fact that payments are now core travel infrastructure. Sri Lanka’s bet is simple, if Asian travelers live inside super apps and e-walle
Saudi Arabia’s Hotel Boom Has a Catch: Rates Are Falling Fast
Saudi Arabia is building its tourism industry at remarkable speed, but room rates are falling, according to new statistics.
AI Is Reshaping Supply Chains in the Gulf
Companies in Saudi Arabia and the UAE are treating supply-chain modernization as a long-term business priority rather than a temporary response to disruption. Recent reporting points to rising
VIDEOS: WTM Africa 2026
BTN delivers exclusive video interviews from WTM Africa 2026, one of the leading B2B travel and tourism events on the continent, bringing together top buyers, exhibitors, and industry decision-mak
One Planet Group Announces $50M in Initial Investment to Launch Quite Remarkable
One Planet Group, a closely held private equity firm that owns and operates a portfolio of technology and media businesses, today announced the upcoming launch of Quite Remarkable, a new travel and li
TLC Jet Partners with American Airlines to Bring Exclusive Rewards and Seamless Travel Flexibility
TLC Jet, a leading private aviation charter provider renowned for providing the smartest way to fly private, today announced a partnership with American Airlines. This collaboration integrates America
How to Celebrate Spring in Charentes With Explore Cognac
As the first leaves return to the vines, Charentes slips into one of its most appealing seasons. Spring remains something of an insider’s secret. Between April and June, this quietly compelling
Hilton CEO Argues the Bull Case Despite Iran War and Weak World Cup Signals
Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta is making the strongest bull case in the hotel sector right now, and early U.S. industry data backs him up. But the Middle East and the World Cup remain open questions.
JetBlue Rumors? Now American? What a United Mega-Merger Would Mean
A United-American tie-up would be the most significant airline merger in a decade and further tighten the grip of legacy carriers. But approval by regulators seems like a long shot.