On this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, we dive into direct bookings with Andy Easton of Beach Retreats, a Cornwall-based brand achieving an impressive 97% direct bookings. This episode unpacks the effective marketing strategies they’ve employed to avoid the pitfalls of channel chasing. Learn how to ace guest experience by knowing exactly who your audience is, designing tailored offerings, and minimising hurdles from discovery to checkout. 

Andy shares insights into the three foundational pillars of their success: a meticulous curating process of their vacation rentals to ensure quality, the power of brand storytelling that captures the essence of coastal living, and a retention strategy that incentivises first-time visitors to return. He also discusses the challenges faced, the importance of maintaining exclusivity, and the role of technology and upselling in driving business growth. We cover how regulation is shaping the landscape for 2025 and provide practical tips for hosts looking to thrive in today’s competitive market.

1:04 How to achieve 97% direct bookings

5:56 Three key things to get direct bookings

7:47 The importance of knowing your target guest

9:14 How to make sure guests keep re-booking

10:56 How to share the experience rather than just the property

13:11 Guests talk about us on social media 

15:04 Strategies that are not so successful 

16:01 Building the Beach Retreats brand

17:46 The percentage of properties rejected

18:43 Scaling is a challenge if you take any property

21:08 Exclusivity has helped to grow the brand

22:31 Investing in Cornwall

25:24 Upselling

26:21 Essential tech

28:41 The effects or regulation and legislation

31:52 2025 short-term rental trends

35:05 Favourite brand: Key Data

35:52 Shout-outs: Alistair Handyside, Mark Simpson, and Richard Vaughton

36:52 Lesson learned: stay humble 

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Host Planet: https://www.hostplanet.club/

James Varley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

Andy Easton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyeaston/

Beach Retreats: https://www.beachretreats.co.uk/

Episode to check next: Is Your Direct Booking Website Useless? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGewt3ZV6UA&t=394s

Host Planet Podcast is presented by James Varley, a holiday let investor and property manager who is also the Founder of Host Planet. Before founding Host Planet, James spent 20 years in the media, including a decade leading corporate communications for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.

Contact the show: info@hostplanet.club

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