For our first Host Planet Playbook feature, we’re joined by Graham Donoghue, CEO of Forge Holiday Group, to discuss what it takes to scale from 5,000 to 30,000 short-term rental properties while keeping the local touch that makes hospitality special.

Graham shares candid insights on:

- The challenges of rapid growth and integration in the world of vacation rentals.

- How AI can give every holiday let operator a “superpower”.

- A simple AI hack using image metadata to drive traffic and visibility on platforms like ChatGPT.

- His best tips for keeping holiday let owners happy and guests coming back.

Plus – shout-outs to Simon Lehmann, Antonio Bortolotti, and other industry greats.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about growth, innovation, and the bright future of the STR industry.

1:51 Who, what, where

2:57 The growth of Forge Holiday Group

4:15 The main challenges of going from 5,000 to 30,000 short-term rentals

6:13 How to keep the local flavour post-acquisition

8:42 We do what we say

10:59 The objective is for AI to give everyone a superpower

12:53 How AI will impact the STR industry

15:34 What companies can do to leverage large language models like ChatGPT

19:18 Simple AI hack: image metadata

20:42 Challenges and opportunities 

22:58 Tips to keep owners happy

25:09 Tips to deliver an outstanding guest experience

27:07 Biggest lesson learned: there’s nothing as funny as folk

28:52 It’s a great industry

29:57 Quickfire questions

33:56 Shout-outs: Simon Lehmann, Antonio Bortolotti, and many others

35:11 Ultimate goal for Forge Holiday Group

Graham Donoghue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamdonoghue/

Forge Holiday Group: https://www.forgeholidays.com/

Sykes Holiday Cottages: https://www.sykescottages.co.uk/letyourcottage/

The Host Planet Playbook was created in collaboration with Hospitable. Interested in using a PMS which will help you manage your rentals on autopilot? Get 25% off Hospitable for the first three months: https://hospitable.com/partners/hostplanet

Download a free copy of the Host Planet Playbook: https://www.hostplanet.club/host-planet-playbook

The Host Planet Playbook series is presented by James Varley, Founder and CEO of Host Planet. Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdsvarley/

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