As we kick off this season, I can’t help but reflect on the journey since July 2020. I am grateful that we have not only survived this long, but have thrived throughout it. We have published nearly 250 episodes, with thousands of hours of recording, multiple thousands of hours of editing and constant evolution. (I’m embarrassed by some of the content from the start). Most importantly, the feedback from you, our community, telling us how these conversations have made a difference to you and your business.
Thank you!
This week, I had the chance to sit down with someone who quite literally has their finger on the pulse of our industry. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re charging the right rates, when you should be adjusting pricing, or why bookings seem slow compared to your neighbour’s, this episode is for you. I’m talking to Jamie Lane from Airdna, and I genuinely think this could be one of our most practical and timely conversations to date.
As someone running an accommodation business, you’re constantly juggling revenue, guest satisfaction, and market conditions. But what if you could take the guesswork out of it? In this episode, we break down what the data is actually telling us—so you can make smarter decisions every single week. Jamie and I explore how market-wide trends affect your bookings, how to interpret occupancy and rate shifts, and what top-performing operators are doing differently.
Jamie doesn’t just talk in theory. We go deep into the how – how to check if your listing is underperforming, how to identify spikes in demand before your competitors do, and how to optimise your pricing without spending hours in spreadsheets. He also shares real-life examples, including conversations with his own mum who runs STRs in Maine (and apparently never changes her pricing!).
What you will learn from this episode:
How to track and act on booking trends in your local market 📈
Why most hosts are leaving money on the table with their pricing 💸
How Airbnb’s marketing has shifted and what that means for you 📣
What occupancy and ADR trends are telling us about 2024 and beyond 🏨
A simple weekly routine to optimise performance and stay competitive ⏳
Jamie Lane is the Chief Economist at AirDNA, where he leads market research and forecasting for the global short-term rental industry. With over a decade of experience as an economist in the hotel space, Jamie blends his deep analytical background with sharp industry insight. He’s a true “data nerd” who knows how to translate complex metrics into clear, actionable strategies. He also hosts the STR Data Lab podcast, where he unpacks the future of the industry through the lens of data and travel economics.
This episode is well worth your time. If you’ve ever second-guessed your rates, felt unsure about local market dynamics, or wanted to take a more proactive approach to running your property – this is the one to listen to. Jamie brings practical knowledge that applies to any accommodation type – whether you’re running a luxury resort, a countryside B&B, or managing a portfolio of Airbnbs.
So grab a cuppa, pop in your headphones, and give this one a listen. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of market dynamics, tools to improve your pricing, and confidence in knowing how to grow your bookings sustainably and strategically.
📽 Watch the episodes here
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