In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we’re joined by Ian Ackland, Managing Director of the Americas at Booking.com, for a candid look at how one of the world's largest travel platforms is evolving its approach to better serve property managers.
With more than 30 years in the travel industry and over a decade at Booking.com, Ian shares how the company is shifting from being just a distribution channel to becoming a true partner for vacation rental professionals. From reimagining payment systems and investing in connectivity, to expanding their U.S. market presence and leveraging AI, Ian walks us through the strategy behind Booking.com's efforts to reduce friction and drive more value for hosts at every stage of growth.
Whether you’re a large enterprise or just getting started, this episode is packed with practical insights on how to work smarter, tap into new guest demand, and build a more effective tech stack through stronger partnerships.
Key Topics Discussed:
1️⃣ Ian’s background in hospitality and why hosting is personal to him
2️⃣ The evolution of Booking.com's vacation rental strategy
3️⃣ Why connectivity partners like NextPax play a key role in host success
4️⃣ How Booking.com is supporting both enterprise and mid-sized property managers
5️⃣ What makes listings convert: content, rate plans, and smart distribution
6️⃣ The redesign of their payment system to solve real host pain points
7️⃣ How generative AI is helping streamline guest communication
8️⃣ Loyalty, trust, and the value of high-frequency guests
9️⃣ The tools and resources Booking.com offers to support property managers at scale
Connect with Ian:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-ackland-1b3b444/
Mention "Alex & Annie" when you sign up with Boom to get 50% off your onboarding fee and 1 month FREE: https://www.boomnow.com/
Get $50 credit and $0 onboarding fee when you sign up for Beyond, the leading dynamic pricing tool for vacation rentals: http://beyondpricing.info/alexandannie
#VacationRentals #ShortTermRentals #OTA
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