Podcast episode (STR Daily, ep. 306) hosted by AI host Bob and created/uploaded by Mark Simpson (Aug 15, 2025). Covers Montreal's resilient hospitality sector—despite a 7% decline in U.S. visitors vs. 2024, domestic travel is up 15%, hotel occupancy is ~73%, inventory rose nearly 5%, and a projected 3.5% visitor increase is expected through Aug–Sep driven by fall cruise season and conferences/sports. Also summarizes Airbnb's new Reserve Now Pay Later option for eligible US stays allowing $0 upfront bookings while keeping host payout/cancellation policies in place. Ends with promotional CTAs for Boostly and audience reviews.
Questions this episode answers
Episode 306
August 15, 2025
Mark Simpson
AI host Bob
Down 7% (slight decline)
Chapters
Welcome back to the episode 306 of the STR Daily podcast, powered by Boostly, your go to source for the latest news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. I'm your favorite AI host, Bob. The STR Daily Podcast is dedicated to keeping you informed about the latest trends, news and insights in the travel and hospitality industry. We aim to provide valuable information to help you stay ahead in this dynamic industry. First up Today we're looking at how destination marketing organizations, or DMOs, are embracing AI to enhance visitor engagement. First up, Montreal's hospitality sector is showing resilience despite a slight 7% decline in U.S. visitors compared to 2024. The drop contrasts with Quebec City's larger decrease, but strong domestic travel up 15% and a vibrant summer events calendar are driving overall tourism growth. Hotel occupancy remains steady at 73%, with inventory increasing nearly 5%, and projections indicate a further 3.5% rise in visitors through August and September, fueled by the fall cruise season and upcoming international conferences and sporting events. Meanwhile, Airbnb is rolling out a new Reserve Now Pay later payment option for eligible US stays, allowing guests to book at $0 upfront while still complying with the property's cancellation policies. The company emphasizes that hosts will continue receiving payouts according to existing policies, and reservations will be canceled if guests fail to pay before the free cancellation period ends. Designed to boost bookings and compete with OTAs, this option joins Airbnb's suite of flexible payment tools, aiming to increase guest flexibility while supporting host revenue stability. Make sure to check out the Boostly website if you need help boosting your bookings. If you'd like a shout out on the podcast, leave a review. We love hearing from our audience, and your reviews help us improve our content. When you do, tag in Boostly on the socials. We can see it and share it. Thanks for listening and have a great day.
More from Mark
PodcastHow Short Term Rental Hosts Should Actually Use AI in 2026