Moriya Rockman, Villa Tracker, Holiday Cottage Handbook
The Conversation:
3 Minute Read
James Varley: Where are you at the moment?
Moriya Rockman: I’m here in the Swiss Alps. There’s already quite a bit of snow! It all started with one chalet. We learned about Airbnb and fell in love with hosting and hospitality. We’ve grown significantly, and now we’re in 52 countries. The luxury market is a growing niche, but it’s important not to focus solely on growth. We’re passionate about hosting guests and creating special moments, and we can’t give up on that spirit of hospitality.
James Varley: What makes a good host?
Moriya Rockman: To be a good host, it’s essential to know your destination. Make your property unique—don’t copy and paste. Bring something special to your guests’ experience. For example, offer a plate of local cheese in the Swiss Alps or cookies in Greece. Keep things tidy, clean, and well-equipped with as many amenities as possible.
It’s also about knowledge. Before guests arrive, share tips on where to eat and what to do to get them excited about the destination. Happy guests lead to great reviews.
James Varley: How do you balance expectations with seasonal challenges?
Moriya Rockman: Everyone wants a spa or a pool, but the season is short—3 to 3.5 months. It’s crucial to keep everyone happy, including homeowners, who need to see value in their property. Property managers are vital—they understand cleanliness standards and the importance of supporting the local community, including showcasing local produce.
James Varley: What’s the added value for guests?
Moriya Rockman: Creating a sense of community is key. Organize local events and invite guests; this could be the highlight of their trip. Make guests feel like locals, and they’ll come back. If they have a great experience in Ibiza, they’ll likely have a great time in St. Barts or Marrakech. Instead of seeing property managers from other regions as competitors, build connections. This turns bookings into opportunities through recommendations and shared networks.
James Varley: You mentioned the “triangle” concept with property sales—can you expand on that?
Moriya Rockman: Yes, this concept opens up new opportunities for investors. They can buy properties for rental purposes, use them themselves, and have a property manager help them generate income. I’m excited to see the industry evolve professionally. Travel professionals and designers are now asking for private villas and retreats instead of hotels, which is what led me to build Villa Tracker. We need to meet five-star standards to keep travel professionals booking our properties and guests happy.
James Varley: The STR industry is changing fast. How do you see this affecting property managers?
Moriya Rockman: Professional property managers are becoming more prominent, which means some original homeowners are stepping away. While we welcome new owners, it’s important to support property managers who may feel exhausted by the fast pace. I encourage them not to give up—take a vacation and recharge!
But we need to ensure we don’t lose the heart of the business by becoming too real estate-focused. Technology is a double-edged sword. It’s necessary but can be costly, and some tech companies charge property managers too much. It’s important to keep updating property listings with new photos and descriptions, especially for smaller managers.
James Varley: Any favorite brands in the STR space?
Moriya Rockman: I would say Guesty—we were one of their first property managers and they have grown and are doing great work in the industry. I also admire smaller, passionate property managers and hosts like Jodie Stirling who wrote – Hospitable Hosts.
James Varley: Best advice for new companies?
Moriya Rockman: Focus on branding, find your identity, and study your competition. Master the technology that can support your business. You don’t have to go it alone—use property management systems (PMS), as they are essential for all property managers in the STR industry.
Listen to the full conversation here
Moriya Rockman is a trailblazer in the STR industry, and her latest venture, Villa Tracker, is building a bridge between travel professionals and property managers that wasn’t there before. Her passion for innovation and collaboration shines through in this episode, making it a must-read for anyone in the hospitality industry. The insights shared here are invaluable as we move forward in this exciting new chapter of vacation rentals. Listen to the full conversation here to learn more about the future of this dynamic industry.
Holiday Cottage Handbook
