What if artificial intelligence could actually enhance the human touch instead of replacing it?

In this episode, Heather speaks with Eliseo Palous, co-founder of Short Stay Media, to explore how AI - especially voice AI - is revolutionizing guest communications in the short-term rental industry without sacrificing what matters most: hospitality, responsibility, and trust.

Eliseo shares the fascinating journey from starting as an intern in a small property management company to co-founding a business at the forefront of AI-powered communication. His insights into the human challenges behind tech adoption and the risks of depersonalized service hit home for any operator trying to scale without losing soul.

This conversation is a thoughtful guide for anyone navigating the balance between automation and authentic guest experience, and a must-listen if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed - or skeptical - about bringing AI into your business.

What You’ll Learn

• Eliseo’s early journey from intern to head of communications in a 3,000-unit company
• Why Short Stay Media pivoted from a marketing agency to a voice-AI communication solution
• The real reason property managers miss upsell opportunities (hint: it’s not lack of tools)
• Why Eliseo believes AI is a “medium” for translating business languages
• How voice AI is being used today to automate repetitive tasks like maintenance reporting
• The difference between action vs automation - and why both matter
• Why team culture can make or break guest communication
• How to overcome resistance to AI adoption at different stages of business growth
• Eliseo’s advice on where small operators (under 50 units) should begin with AI
• What “human-AI collaboration” really means in practice
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Memorable Quotes

“When you’re dealing with numbers, you start treating people like numbers. That’s when hospitality goes out the window.” – Eliseo Palous

“AI is like a central nervous system. When integrated well, it lets the different parts of your business speak the same language.” – Eliseo Palous

“Adoption isn’t about the tech. It’s about the mindset - and the trust we have in what we don’t yet fully understand.” – Heather Bayer
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Connect with Eliseo Palous

🌐 Short Stay Media Website
🔗 Eliseo on LinkedIn
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Resources & Related Links

• AI in Hospitality Survey – Hostfully & VRS
• ‍Vacation Rental Formula Business School‍
  
  

Join the Conversation

📧 Got thoughts on this episode or questions about AI in your STR business?
Drop us a message at heather@vacationrentalformula.com or join the discussion on our Facebook Group.

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If this episode gave you value, please leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating and review! It helps other short-term rental professionals discover the podcast.

Let me know if you'd like a shortened version for Apple Podcasts, pull quotes for social media, or a promotional caption to send to Eliseo along with these notes.

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📣 Midroll Sponsor: STRAIT Chat & the AI Ambassador Program

This episode is brought to you in part by the STRAIT Chat Community - an exclusive space for short-term rental pros who want deeper conversations, smarter systems, and more collaborative learning.

And if you're curious about using AI in your business - whether it's for guest communication, operations, or even marketing - check out our AI Ambassador Program. It's designed to help you learn, lead, and get hands-on with the tools shaping the future of hospitality.

🌐 Learn more and join us at VacationRentalFormula.com/AI

Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here:
https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/podcast/VRS643

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