Key Data Secures Exclusive Partnership with Australian Short-Term Rental Accommodation Association (ASTRA)

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Key Data is now the exclusive data partner of the Australian Short-Term Rental Accommodation Association (ASTRA).
• The short-term rental data platform will provide ASTRA with industry and market data for education, government, media, and industry insights.
• Additionally, all ASTRA members can access Key Data’s business intelligence and benchmarking tools at a preferred rate.
• Property managers can integrate their booking data directly into Key Data’s Dashboard via their property management software.
•  Key Data aims to help Australian property managers thrive, especially during peak seasons, by providing data-driven insights and business intelligence tools.

About Key Data:

• Key Data provides comprehensive short-term rental market intelligence by aggregating direct data from property managers and scraping data from online travel agents (OTAs) such as Airbnb, and Booking.com.
• Their tools include over 45 key performance indicators (KPIs) for property managers, such as ADR, RevPAR, occupancy, and booking window.

About ASTRA:

• ASTRA is an association representing STR owners and managers in Australia, with a mission to protect and promote their interests and uphold service standards.

Uvika’s View:

• This recent alliance closely follows the announcement in July that Key Data was selected as the sole data partner for the Greek Short-Term Rental Association (STAMA), reinforcing Key Data’s growing influence within the global short-term rental industry.
• By associating with these major organizations, Key Data is not only gaining credibility but also expanding its reach by having access to an even more extensive pool of data.
• As ASTRA and STAMA members integrate their booking data with Key Data’s tools, Key Data’s ability to provide comprehensive market insights will be significantly enhanced. 
• These partnerships are not just about data sharing; they represent a strategic alliance where both parties stand to gain. While ASTRA and STAMA members get access to sophisticated business intelligence tools, Key Data gets to refine and expand its data intelligence offering.
• It’s worth noting that this move also situates Key Data at the forefront of the advocacy movement in the short-term rental industry. As bans and restrictions on short-term rentals gain momentum globally, data becomes crucial in helping strike a balance between industry growth and regulatory concerns.

Minut Launches Call Assist: Human Intervention in Excessive Noise Situation

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Minut has launched Call Assist to combat excessive noise in vacation rental properties. This new service offers 24/7 access to phone operators who will address noise issues with your guests, providing peace of mind for hosts.
• Excessive noise is a growing issue due to stricter regulations and unauthorized parties. Call Assist aims to streamline noise control, ensuring compliance and reducing related costs.
• Call Assist offers fast response times, purportedly capable of resolving noise issues within 15 minutes. This quick resolution protects your property and maintains community peace.
• The service provides a human response to noise complaints, available in English and French, regardless of the time or location. This saves hosts time and money and protects their work-life balance.
• Minut reports having already received positive feedback for the service from users, who report fewer noise disturbances and faster resolutions.
• To start using Call Assist, sign up through the Minut app. If you’re not a Minut customer, you can create an account via the same app.

About Minut:

• Minut is a comprehensive solution designed to help short-term rental hosts and property managers maintain the safety and integrity of their properties, while also respecting the privacy of their guests. 
• It provides a suite of features such as noise and occupancy monitoring, smoke detection, outdoor mode, and smart lock integration, designed to monitor and manage potential issues, delivering actionable insights that enable hosts to respond effectively.

Uvika’s View: 

• Noise monitors play a key role in addressing a critical concern in the industry – unauthorized parties. Industry giant Airbnb, for instance, has been countering unauthorized parties strenuously since 2020 and as of writing this is running a PR campaign to further cement its trustworthiness and safety, led by their Head of Trust and Safety, Naba Banerjee, who has been instrumental in implementing safety measures such as a global party ban, and even a partnership with Minut.
• However, the integration of noise and occupancy monitoring technology in short-term rental properties is still a relatively novel concept for many guests, and its implementation must be careful and thoughtful to avoid negative guest experiences.
• Transparency is crucial when implementing these measures. Clearly communicate the presence of noise sensors in your listing and house rules. Guests should be made aware of these rules before check-in to avoid any misunderstandings or perceptions of privacy invasion.
• Ensure that your house rules regarding noise are reasonable and align with the property’s location and type. Overly strict rules may cause more problems than they solve.
• Regular assessment of the effectiveness of the noise sensor and call assist service is essential. Adjusting the sensitivity of the sensor may be necessary, ensuring that the system serves its purpose without causing undue inconvenience to guests.

Casago’s Franchise Success: Doubling Footprint in Two Years

Key Takeaways for Vacation Rental Managers:

• Casago, a vacation rental property management company, has reportedly expanded its footprint by over 168% in the last two years, now operating in 51 locations across the U.S. and Mexico.
• The franchise model adopted by Casago has attracted existing vacation rental businesses, accounting for half of its new destinations.
• Of the 44 franchise locations, 18 are pre-existing property management companies that partnered with Casago for its resources, support, and buying power. The remaining 26 destinations are managed by entrepreneurs with relevant real estate and hospitality experience.
• Casago CEO Steve Schwab asserts the success of their franchise model mirrors that of the hotel industry, emphasizing the importance of localized hospitality and professional, owner-centric service.

About Casago:

• Founded in 2001, Casago and its partners manage over 4,000 properties, serving more than 3 million guests annually. Their franchise model aims to empower local experts to grow their businesses and enhance guest experiences within their communities.
• The company’s key markets are in the U.S., with its founding market and training hub, Casago University, located in Rocky Point, Mexico.

Uvika’s View: 

• The expansion of Casago’s franchise model is intriguing. As a company that has more than doubled its territories within two years, it demonstrates the potential for scalability in this sector.
• The model offers several advantages for both the franchisor and the franchisee. For the franchisor, it provides a method for rapid expansion without the need for substantial capital investment. For the franchisee, it delivers a proven business model, brand recognition, and ongoing support.
• One of the notable aspects of a franchise model, such as Casago’s, is the balance it strikes between centralized control and localized operation. While the overarching brand and business strategies are determined by Casago, the day-to-day operations are managed by the local operators or franchisees. This allows for a high degree of operational efficiency and responsiveness to local market conditions.
• The templatization inherent in a franchise model could be a game-changer for the short-term rental industry. This industry has often been criticized for its lack of standardization, especially when compared to the hotel industry. By adopting a franchise model, companies like Casago can ensure a consistent level of service and guest experience across all their locations