VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day
In approaching the 10th edition of the Vacation Rental World Summit, we’re releasing a series of interviews to leaders, key players and highly motivated people in our industry whose companies make a deep impact in our space and will be present at VRWS.
The aim is to get you some insight into these leaders and the company they founded, manage or work for, as well as getting some behind the scenes on their thinking, their motivation and their drive.
MARTA ARGELAGOS
Describe your career in the vacation rental industry and how you reached your current position in the company.
My journey in the vacation rental sector began with Airbnb, a transition from a completely different industry. Nearly seven years ago, I embarked on my role as a Market Manager, driven by my passion for the novel travel experiences Airbnb offered. The growth and evolution I’ve witnessed since joining have been extraordinary. Following the pandemic, I was entrusted with the position of Territory Manager of Airbnb Marketing Services SL for Spain and Portugal. In this capacity, I oversee the supply from these regions, leading a stellar team of market managers who liaise with professional hosts.
In your opinion, what are the main current challenges in the vacation rental industry, and how do you think your company can help overcome them?
One of the challenges we’re facing is encouraging more individuals to consider hosting. We’re actively working on making hosting mainstream by enhancing awareness, simplifying the processes, and refining our tools. Our efforts have borne fruit – in Q2 2023, Airbnb saw a 19% year-over-year increase in active listings, showcasing robust growth across all metrics.
Another impediment to growth is the regulatory landscape in certain regions. The focus remains on equipping hosts with the right tools and information they need to adhere to their hosting and regulatory responsibilities.
What are your expectations for the 2023 edition of VRWS in Barcelona, and what makes you particularly interested in attending this specific edition?
I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to engage face-to-face with our partners from across the globe. I am confident that VRWS will be a great occasion for mutual learning and collaboration. It promises to be an event ripe for insightful dialogues about the vacation rental landscape.
Could you provide a brief preview of what attendees can expect from your participation during the Vacation Rental World Summit?
Do drop by booth #38 — we eagerly await interactions with our partners. You will also find us in some roundtables. Moreover, Rich Au, our Head of Global Business Development, will deliver a keynote on the main stage. The specific topic will be disclosed in due course, so stay tuned!
You’ll have the opportunity to meet Marta and the Airbnb team directly at VRWS in Barcelona
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