This is why I think Airbnb will win the Battle of the OTAs

This episode of the Daily Boost, the podcast I've been doing every single day in 2021, is a little bit more commentary, a little bit more opinion, but it's something that I am noticing more and more and more and I think it's important to share with you so you can pivot and you can make your own opinion. But also as well, get ready. And we're talking about Airbnb. And this is why I think Airbnb are going to win in the battle of the OTAs. And when I say OTAs, it's online travel agents. And one of the reasons why they're going to win is that they have created their own word, they've created their own descriptive for a short term rental. And the best examples that I can give you on this is it's not a vacuum cleaner, it's a Hoover, it's not a fizzy beverage, it's a Coke. So go get me a Coke or go get the Hoover. And what I notice more and more and more now, and I noticed this when my friends are speaking, when I see it on social media, when I see, when I just see people talking, etc, online, it's I've got an Airbnb. So I'm staying in an Airbnb. It's not I'm staying in a, in a short term rental accommodation. It's not that I'm staying in an apartment, I'm staying in an Airbnb. And that is the terminology. And that's what, you know, I've used it, my wife's used it, my family uses, my friends use it. And this is why they're going to win is because instantly when somebody mentions about booking something that's not a hotel, the instant word and the instant phrases they go to is I'll just get an Airbnb. It's like, I'm not going to get a taxi, I'll get an Uber. That's why they're going to win. Hey everyone, taking a quick break to let you know that today's podcast is brought to you by the amazing Hostfully. Hostfully is a suite of two award winning softwares designed by short term rental operators for short term rental operators. The first is digital guidebooks. You should know about them by now. The days or of the old ring binders being left in your kitchen are forever gone and now they're being replaced by digital guidebooks. Hostfully is one of the market leaders. It's totally free to get started and it is very cost effective. When you want to Upgrade, go to hostfully.com to check them out. The other part is their award winning property management platform. They were recently voted one of the best in the world by the Keystone Awards and they've become recommended from a lot of Boostly website clients. So do go check them out hostfully.com go and booking their services. Make sure you told them that Boostly sent you and say thank you for sponsoring this podcast Hostfully and all the team really appreciate it. Now let's get back on with the show. So what does this mean for you, dear Host, when this is a podcast all about direct bookings? Well what it means is that you need to be listed on there and even if you're a bed and breakfast, you can get listed on there. Obviously they acquired hotels tonight and they are looking to now connect via API, a two way connection into all of the big PMSs. They're looking to do this to make sure that they can win. So not only are they able to get short stay accommodation, vacation rentals, whatever you want to call it on there, but they want bed and breakfast glamping sites. They want everything. They have now become the unofficial largest RV travel agent around campervan etc because of people listing their RVs and their campervans on there. They want to become everything. So you've got to make sure you've got a listing and a presence on there. Now obviously I teach you how to make sure that it's not the be all and end all. Because the biggest problem with Airbnb and with Airbnb hosts is that you over rely on one platform. Don't get me wrong, you can make a successful business from doing it, but you always run the risk. When you put 100% or 95% of your whole business income onto one platform, then there could be problems down the line. And I've talked about these plenty. I don't need to go into it into here, but you need to get listed on there and then delve back into Boostly. Come to boostly.co.uk, find out how to turn an OTA booking into a direct booking and how you can take advantage of being listed on these platforms, make them work for you. But this is just like my commentary on this is just my opinion. As always, I love to pass it on to you. Dear Host, who's watching this? What do you think? Do you say the same thing? Book an Airbnb to your friends, your family. Do you see people online talking about it or do you see it from a different angle? I'd love to get more opinions and a breakdown on this. So as always, I pass this to you in the comment section, or you can email me or send me an Instagram DM or reach out on LinkedIn DM Market UK and you can find me at Boostler UK on all the other socials. So thank you very much for tuning into today and this is my opinion on why I think Airbnb are going to win the online travel agent market. As always, I'll be back tomorrow with tactics, tips, training, all those cool stuff to help you get more direct bookings. Still, then stay proactive, don't be reactive and I'll see you tomorrow.