Are short-term rental hosts putting their entire business at risk by relying too heavily on platforms like Airbnb? In this episode of the Host Planet Podcast, sponsored by Hostfully, we sit down with Humphrey Bowles, Founder and CEO of Truvi (formerly Superhog), to unpack why hosts need to stop "building on someone else’s land" – and what they can do to protect their properties and future-proof their operations.

From the risks of unchecked guest bookings to the myths around instant book and platform policies, Humphrey offers a no-nonsense take on why verification and guest screening are non-negotiables in today’s market. He also dives into Truvi’s evolving tech, how it differs from Airbnb and Booking.com’s approach, and why thinking like a true hospitality business owner – not just a platform host – is the mindset shift STR pros need now more than ever.

Key takeaways:

1. Airbnb isn’t your safety net – Hosts must take ownership of guest screening, verification, and risk mitigation instead of relying on platforms to protect them.

2. Guest screening tech has evolved – Tools like Truvi go beyond basic checks, offering a smarter, scalable way to verify guests and protect your property.

3. Think like a business owner – To build long-term success, stop acting like a user of someone else’s system – and start building your own trusted brand and booking flow.

1:09 Stop building your business on someone else’s land

3:09 Would we be having this conversation if Airbnb didn’t exist?

6:32 Airbnb has so much power (so hosts need to fight back)

10:31 The danger of just being an Airbnb host

12:10 Does Airbnb have a shelf life?

15:34 Airbnb’s policy changes

17:06 Truvi

19:20 The verification process

21:37 Risks of not verifying your guests

23:44 Are Airbnb and Booking.com doing enough when it comes to guest screening?

27:49 The difference between Airbnb and Booking.com

31:26 How guest screening tech is evolving

34:19 The biggest myth about guest screening

37:21 Instant book is OK – so long as you screen guests

38:48 Favourite brands: Boostly, StayFi, Breezeway, PriceLabs, Beyond

40:07 Individual shout-out: the guests who book direct

41:28 Stop thinking like a platform host and start thinking like a hospitality business owner

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Click here to sign up for Hostfully: https://get.hostfully.com/46p7pafubra1

Keen to book a Hostfully demo? Click here to connect with Frank Bosi: https://cal.mixmax.com/frankbosi/demo?re=IiY1x2YuQXZuFGbwR3cvhGQzVWbhpmI&rn=ISelxmchZFIzVWbhpkI&messageId=UjWJnyJQ1a9zxhP2C

Email Frank: [email protected]

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

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

Humphrey Bowles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humphrey-bowles/

Truvi: https://truvi.com/

The Entrepreneurial Illusion: They Take the Gold, You Keep the Glitter | Humphrey Bowles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARGCJ7cSsDI

Episode to check next: This Vacation Rental Pricing Tool Thinks Differently: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sh_Bal6ll-w

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: [email protected]

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