VRWS Leadership Interview of the Day
In approaching the 12th 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.
BORIS PAVLOV
- What inspired you to enter the vacation rental industry?
To be honest, I kind of stumbled into it. Back in 2016, I left my investment banking job to launch a travel tech startup (nothing to do with vacation rentals). I was living in London at the time, but since I was planning to bootstrap it, I moved back to Bulgaria – my savings wouldn’t have lasted long in the UK.
As I was ending my apartment lease, I found out I had to keep paying rent for six more months. Desperate for a workaround, I discovered a local short-term rental management company and thought, “Hey, this looks simple enough! I need to gain some entrepreneurial experience anyway, might as well do it on the side.” So I launched the first PMC in Bulgaria… and very quickly learned just how not simple it is and how it is impossible to do it “on the side”.
Still, I fell in love with the industry—largely thanks to the amazing community of vacation rental professionals that make it such a vibrant space. That’s what’s kept me here for over 8 years. Even after selling the PMC in 2024, the team and I didn’t want to leave. In fact, with Flataway, we’re now more involved than ever.
- What sets your company apart in the vacation rental industry, and how do you ensure you stay ahead of the competition?
Flataway’s on a mission to help property managers reduce their dependence on OTAs – something we all talk about, but no one’s quite cracked at scale. We’ve pivoted a few times (as you do) and are now launching something unique: we’re turning direct booking websites into full-blown OTAs.
Our product requires zero tech skills and is made possible by our integration service Calry and yes – AI does a lot of the heavy lifting. But what really makes us different is that we allow PMCs across different PMSs to cross-sell each other’s rentals, beyond just creating a direct booking website. That means operators can finally earn passive income without managing more properties. On a macro level, we are removing the barrier that prevents operators from becoming independent of OTAs – their inability to host guests worldwide. This is a fundamental problem in travel and I’m super excited that we are the ones who get to solve it.
- If you attended the 2024 Vacation Rental World Summit in Porto, what was the most exciting or valuable takeaway for you? And looking ahead to the 2025 edition in Rome, what are you hoping to gain or experience this time?
This will actually be our first VRWS—and we’re pumped to be part of it! We’ve been to a bunch of industry events, but none quite this size.
What are we most looking forward to? Honestly, the people. The side events. The random chats over coffee or wine that turn into big ideas. We’re not showing up just to chase ROI – we’re here to connect, learn, and enjoy the vibe.
- Beyond business, what’s one experience or destination that left a lasting impression on you, and why?
I’d say my character’s shaped by three things: family, friends, and wandering around the world. I’ve lived in four countries and visited over 50, so it’s hard to pick just one experience – but if I had to, I’d go with Tao Philippines.
It’s a kind of expedition where you hop on a questionable-looking boat with strangers and sail from Coron to El Nido for five days. Each night, you crash on a random uninhabited island, sleeping under the stars on a yoga mat with a mosquito tent. No phone signal, no running water, and food is bought from tiny island communities along the way. It’s wild, beautiful, and humbling. Plus, the money you pay for the expedition helps build schools for the local kids in these island communities. A rare kind of trip/experience that sticks with you.
- What’s one fun fact, hidden talent, or little-known secret about you that other attendees should know to spark a great conversation with you?
Lately, I’ve gotten deep into “vibe coding” – no formal training, just pure energy and trial-and-error. I even built our own invoicing SaaS. Our tech team doesn’t let me touch the actual Flataway product, but I definitely vibe coded a landing page or two.
Also, I’ve tried nearly every sport there is… except curling. Still on the bucket list!
You’ll have the opportunity to meet Boris at VRWS in Rome
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