How To Earn A Seat At The Destination Marketing Table

What if the biggest threat to vacation rentals is not hotels, but being left out of the room where tourism decisions are made? In this episode of The Socially Awkward Podcast, host Calvin Tilokee talks with Annie Holcombe and Alex O. Husner, co-hosts of the Alex and Annie Podcast, about vacation rental marketing, hotel competition, direct booking strategy, short-term rental regulation, and how hospitality brands can use storytelling to stand out in a crowded market. Annie and Alex bring deep hospitality experience, sharp marketing perspective, and a whole lot of personality to a conversation that moves from linen fees and OTAs to podcast branding, women in business, tourism boards, and awkward travel moments.

In This Episode:

• Why vacation rentals are more complex to market than hotels

• How traveler intent changes the hotel versus vacation rental decision

• The real story behind how Alex and Annie launched their podcast

• Why consistency is one of the strongest marketing strategies

• What women should know before starting a podcast or company

• Why direct bookings and OTA bookings both matter

• How regulation is changing the short-term rental conversation

• Why vacation rental operators need a seat at the tourism table

• Listen to the episode on Apple Podcast or Spotify.