Booking.com Adopts Third-Party Certifications, Moves Away from Own Sustainability Badges Amid Regulatory Shifts

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Booking.com is shifting its focus to prioritize third-party sustainability certifications for properties listed on its platform, aiming to facilitate sustainable travel choices.
• This move includes introducing a label for properties with a third-party sustainability certification and allowing users to filter searches based on these certifications.
• Currently, over 16,500 properties with such certifications are showcased on Booking.com, but the platform will cease displaying its own “Travel Sustainable” name, logo, and levels.
• If your property has received a third-party sustainability certification, it will now be prominently labeled on Booking.com. The new filter feature allows travelers to specifically search for properties with these certifications, emphasizing the growing importance of verifiable sustainable practices in the hospitality industry.
• Property listings can also highlight specific sustainable practices adopted in areas like water usage, food waste management, energy efficiency, plastic reduction, and community engagement.
• The update comes amid a significant shift towards sustainability in the travel industry and consumer demand for transparent and credible information on sustainable practices. Regulatory changes are also expected, such as the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), which will further emphasize sustainability in business operations.

About Booking.com:

• Booking.com is an online platform that connects travelers with places to stay, ranging from apartments to hotels and more unique accommodations. 
• For short-term rental managers, it’s a vital channel to list properties, gain visibility among a vast audience of travelers, and manage bookings. 
• The platform offers tools and resources to help optimize listings, understand market trends, and improve guests’ experience. 

Uvika’s View:

• Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable badge was an innovative program that recognized and motivated accommodations to adopt greener practices, driven by data showing eco-certified listings received more attention and bookings. This initiative, along with Booking.com’s annual sustainability report and educational resources, has significantly empowered property managers to enhance their sustainability efforts and visibility.
• Yet, the badge’s removal was in no small part also prompted by criticisms from the Dutch competition authority (ACM) regarding its potentially misleading scoring system, emphasizing the need for transparent regulatory standards to avoid greenwashing and ensure genuine sustainability efforts.
• This situation highlights the critical role of regulatory frameworks in addressing the climate crisis and guiding business operations towards authentic environmental stewardship. It also serves as a call to action for short-term rental managers eager to deepen their sustainability practices and grasp third-party certification nuances.
• Amidst these developments, the Scale Green conference in London this May, organized by EnviroRental – a sustainability resource for short-term rental businesses – alongside other key actors,  will offer short-term rental managers a practical forum to enhance their sustainability efforts. 
• EnviroRental’s Bob Garner highlights the conference’s practical approach, promising real-time strategy development and post-event support for participants, underscoring the event’s value in fostering sustainable business growth in the hospitality sector.

Hospitality PR Firm Abode Worldwide Strengthens Its Position with Key New Hires

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• UK-based public relations agency Abode Worldwide, specializing in the hospitality and living sectors, has made three significant hires to propel its growth strategy forward.
• Stewart Paterson joins as Account Director, bringing a robust PR background from the property and real estate sectors. Madeleine Parkin, with her experience at AirDNA and fluency in five languages, is appointed Account Manager to bolster European operations. Jenny Noad, with over two decades at Publitek, takes on the Agency Coordinator role, adding depth to agency support and growth capabilities.
• The new hires are part of Abode Worldwide’s ambitious plan to expand its influence and operational capacity globally, particularly in Europe, through seasoned professionals with deep industry knowledge.
• With the collective experience of the new team members in technology, hospitality, and property sectors, Abode Worldwide aims to offer unparalleled PR services. This includes strategic communication, brand growth, and industry advocacy, potentially benefiting operators looking to scale their businesses and navigate market complexities.

About Abode Worldwide:

• Abode Worldwide is a public relations agency that focuses on the hospitality industry, including areas like hotels, short-term rentals, and student housing. 
• They help companies in these sectors get noticed by creating and sharing stories and news about them, aiming to make them stand out in a crowded market. 
• Their team, with expertise in PR, technology, and the hospitality industry, uses their knowledge and connections to help businesses grow by improving how they’re seen by the public and potential partners. 

Uvika’s View:

• Abode has carved a niche for itself within the short-term rental sector, not merely as a PR agency but as an educator and connector. 
• A recent notable contribution includes the publication of the short-term rental tech index, a comprehensive guide that delineates key technological solutions useful in managing short-term rentals efficiently. 
• This initiative exemplifies Abode’s dedication to empowering property managers and hosts with actionable insights and resources, thereby enabling them to navigate the complexities of the market with greater confidence and strategic acumen.
• The composition of the new hires is a testament to Abode’s thoughtful approach towards enriching its team’s expertise. Madeleine Parkin, with her tenure at AirDNA, brings a wealth of knowledge from the heart of hospitality and an acute focus on short-term rentals. Her experience is poised to significantly contribute to Abode’s mission of expanding operations in Europe, where the nuances of the short-term rental market demand deep understanding and specialized strategies.
• Stewart Paterson adds another layer of depth with his expertise in property and real estate journalism and PR. This background is critical, as the lines between traditional real estate and short-term rentals continue to blur, with more investors and operators looking to diversify their portfolios. His insight into the importance of PR in these growing sectors can provide a fresh lens through which Abode can further refine its strategies and outreach.
• Jenny Noad’s expertise in tech solutions PR rounds off the team’s new dynamics, bridging the gap between technology and its application within the hospitality sector. Her experience is crucial in an era where technology plays a central role in the scalability and efficiency of short-term rental management.
• Together, these appointments signify Abode Worldwide’s deliberate effort to blend industry-specific knowledge with broad-based expertise. 

Boom Welcomes Ex-Rented Sales Expert to Spearhead AI-Driven Rental Platform

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Chris Mills, previously with Rented and Airbnb, has been appointed Vice President of Sales at Boom, an AI platform for short-term rentals.
• Mills brings extensive experience from the real estate and hospitality sectors, including significant roles at Rented, where he contributed to its growth and acquisition, and at Airbnb, where he focused on Luxury Portfolio Development.
• This appointment comes as Boom anticipates rapid expansion to address the increasing demand for AI technology solutions in the short-term rental market.
• Boom promises to automate critical tasks such as guest messaging, marketing, dynamic pricing, and revenue management through AI, enabling property managers to run their operations with fewer staff and focus more on strategic growth and portfolio expansion.

About Boom:

• Boom is essentially an enhancement tool for your current Property Management System (PMS), rather than a replacement. It doesn’t handle the distribution of your listings across various channels but instead focuses on making management tasks more efficient and insightful through its “Plug & Manage” platform. 
• AI-Powered Customer Support Solutions: This offers a mix of human-like AI chat capabilities and automated task creation, designed to prompt and efficient responses to inquiries and operational needs.
• Property Management Module: Offers real-time insights into the status of your properties, including updates on maintenance tasks and cleaning schedules. It also features a live Profit & Loss (P&L) overview accessible through an Owner Portal.
• Accounting and Analytics: Simplifies financial management tasks through automation. This includes handling payments, invoicing, expense tracking, and generating comprehensive financial reports. Additionally, it provides data-driven insights into various aspects of your business, such as property performance, revenue analysis, customer behavior, and feedback from reviews.

Uvika’s View: 

• Chris Mills’ background provides him with a unique expertise in ensuring that a solution like Boom speaks directly to the concerns and aspirations of its intended audience.
• At Rented, alongside Andrew McConnell, Chris played a pivotal role in developing and scaling revenue management solutions that catered to the nuanced needs of short-term rental managers. His expertise in identifying market gaps and crafting compelling value propositions is crucial for Boom as it seeks to differentiate itself in a crowded marketplace.
• Moreover, Boom’s integration with leading short-term rental PMSes such as Hostaway, Hostfully, and notably Track—a TravelNet Solutions product, the very company that acquired Rented—highlights a strategic approach to compatibility and interoperability. It ensures that Boom is not an isolated tool but a synergistic addition that enhances and extends the capabilities of existing systems.

Bob W Unveils Its Sixth London Aparthotel Near St Paul’s Cathedral

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Bob W, an EU-based aparthotel and co-living properties operator, has announced the opening of its sixth aparthotel in London, located near St Paul’s Cathedral, now accepting bookings for stays starting early Spring.
• The new property reportedly combines modern convenience with historic charm, situated in a mid-20th century building on Watling Street and a Neo-Georgian building on Groveland Court.
• Bob W St Paul’s features studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments equipped with custom technology and amenities, offering a hotel-quality experience with the comfort and authenticity of home.
• This expansion adds to Bob W’s portfolio in London’s prime locations, including Tower Hill and Knightsbridge, aiming to redefine travel with tech-enhanced, self-contained apartments for short and extended stays.
• The property incorporates a digital front desk and app for easy self-service check-in/out, supported by 24/7 remote customer service.
• The launch, supported by a recent €40M funding round, marks a milestone in Bob W’s growth.
• A unique design concept inspired by ‘the nomad’ reflects London’s rich historical and contemporary global status, aiming to provide guests with an immersive cultural experience.
• Located near key attractions like St Paul’s Cathedral and Tate Modern, and with excellent transport links, the property offers guests convenient access to explore London.

About Bob W:

• Bob W is a vacation rental management company with a presence in nine European countries, including the UK, Spain, Finland, Italy, Norway, Greece, Estonia, Germany, and the Netherlands. It specializes in operating 27 unique aparthotel and co-living properties.
• The company is focused on offering a range of flexible accommodation rates, suitable for both short-term visitors and long-term residents, with options available on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis.
• At the heart of Bob W’s operations is a commitment to sustainable and autonomous hospitality technology. This approach emphasizes the delivery of a local, contactless, five-star experience, aiming to redefine the standard for modern travel accommodations.

Uvika’s View

• Bob W’s flexible accommodation rates and the diversity of its portfolio cater to a broad spectrum of needs, from transient tourists to long-term residents. This flexibility is a cornerstone of Bob W’s operational model, enabling it to serve a wide audience without compromising on quality or environmental standards.
• Coupled with a steadfast commitment to maintaining clean and environmentally friendly properties, Bob W presents a compelling value proposition that resonates deeply with today’s eco-conscious travelers.
• The company identifies as a climate-neutral hospitality provider, a claim substantiated by its proactive integration of sustainable practices throughout its operations. This commitment is further evidenced by Bob W’s dedication to transparency, particularly in its sustainability reporting.
• At a time marked by increasing scrutiny of corporate environmental claims, transparency becomes paramount in building trust and credibility among consumers. Conscious travelers base their purchasing decisions on the tangible environmental impact of their choices, making accurate and honest reporting a necessity for businesses aiming to maintain relevance and integrity.
• Bob W’s forthrightness regarding its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reaffirms its dedication to ecological responsibility but also sets a new benchmark for honesty and accountability in the industry.
• The brand’s stance on sustainability reporting gains additional significance against the backdrop of recent industry developments, such as the discontinuation of Booking.com’s Travel Sustainable program. This program’s phase-out, amid critiques of its potentially misleading scoring system and regulatory pressures, highlights the urgent need for clear and verifiable sustainability metrics within the hospitality sector.