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
The Inn at Little Washington Selects Agilysys Hospitality Software Ecosystem to Strengthen its Technology Foundation
The Inn at Little Washington has deployed Agilysys Versa PMS, InfoGenesis POS, and related tools to unify dining, lodging, and retail operations across its 24-room Virginia luxury property.
Hospitality Leadership Skills for an AI-Driven Future
A Delphi-inspired study drawing on 40 years of scholarship and 22 senior executive interviews proposes a 30-skill configurational framework for hospitality leadership in an AI-driven environment.
TAT drives Middle East demand with Healing is the New Luxury and flydubai roadshow
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) strengthened its Middle East engagement in the United Arab Emirates from 7 to 8 July through two complementary activities, including the “Healing is the New Lux
TAT invites travellers to discover Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is inviting travellers to experience “Blooming and Bright Amazing Thailand” during Thailand’s rainy season, a shoulder travel period when landscapes turn lush,
European tourism holds firm despite rising uncertainty and changing traveller priorities
ETC's Q2 2026 report shows Europe arrivals up 5% year-to-date, with Greece, Italy and Malta leading growth, but Middle East conflict dampened aviation and hurt Cyprus and Türkiye.
The Power of a Negative Review
Research shows 31% of customers distrust businesses with no negative reviews, making how hotels respond to criticism a stronger marketing signal than five-star ratings alone.
GBTA Holds Annual Business Meeting for 2025, Announces 2026 Board Election Results
GBTA's 2025 Annual Business Meeting covered financial performance and org highlights, and announced five newly elected Board of Directors members starting August 5 at Convention in Chicago.
CLIA Announces Alicante, Spain, as Host City for European Summit 2027
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today announced that Alicante, Spain, will host the CLIA European Summit 2027, 8 to 11 March 2027, bringing together senior cruise executives, policymaker
Direct emissions down by a third - London St. Pancras Highspeed helps accelerate lower-carbon travel
London St. Pancras Highspeed’s direct emissions have fallen by around one-third since 2019-20, according to its latest Impact Report. The reduction reflects a combination of UK grid deca
Etihad Expands its African Network with New Fastjet Zimbabwe Partnership
Etihad Airways and Fastjet Zimbabwe have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a new interline partnership, codeshare agreement and frequent flyer partnership with Fastjet Zimbabwe. The co
Scapia Wants to Own India’s Next Wave of Travelers — Through Their Credit Cards
Scapia won’t fight online travel agencies on price. Instead, this travel fintech is betting that everyday spending, loyalty rewards, and payments will determine where the next generation of travelers
Fattal Buys Its First U.S. Hotel, Testing an Asset-Heavy Model Against the Giants
The owner-operator of nearly 330 hotels is betting that its owner-operator model will win in the U.S. market, where other foreign entrants have stumbled.
Delta Launches Stripped-Down Business-Class Fares
Delta is betting wealthy customers will pay Delta One prices for a coach-class experience on the ground
The West Got Two Half-Apps Instead of a Super App: Google Maps vs. Uber
Uber owns the transaction, and Google Maps owns the moment before it, and in the first half of 2026, both started using AI to cross into the other's territory. Travel distribution sits directly i
GMH Hotels: The Supply Gap That Could Change Hotel Pricing.
Hospitality's new operating principle is "cut the middleman, keep the loyalist" — Mews trims staff for AI, Hilton bypasses the GDS to book direct with Navan, and extended-stay brands strip out se