What did it take to bring vacation rentals into the mainstream and what did we lose along the way?
In this episode of Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals, we’re joined by industry veteran and Finding Better podcast host John Suzuki, who reflects on the emotional and operational toll of the tech transformation that reshaped short-term rentals over the last two decades.
From the early days of fax machines and yellow page listings to the rise of e-commerce and AI, John helped lead the charge at Expedia Group during one of the most turbulent and defining chapters of the industry. But behind the progress came growing pains, confusion, fear, and a communication breakdown that left many property managers feeling left behind.
We dive into:
1️⃣ The emotional toll of industry-wide disruption
2️⃣ Why innovation without empathy nearly broke trust
3️⃣ The importance of clear communication during periods of change
4️⃣ How AI could finally simplify operations (if we let it)
5️⃣ Why “scrappiness” is the most important skill to build now
6️⃣ The rise of Finding Better and John’s mission to bring heart back to business
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by how fast things are moving or nostalgic for the days when hospitality was more human, this episode is for you.
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#vacationrentals #shorttermrentals #strinnovation
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