14 Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Airbnb | S02E42

In this episode of The Hospitality Edge, we dive into what it really takes to thrive in a high-risk, high-reward short-term rental market. Sebastian Humbert, co-owner and founder of Tropicalia Puerto Rico, shares the raw truth about platform dependency, business reinvention, and building a resilient rental operation on an island where the lights don’t always stay on — literally.

From Hurricane Maria to Airbnb delistings, Sebastian has weathered it all. His experience isn’t just a survival story — it’s a masterclass in smart adaptation.

What You'll Learn:

• The real dangers of relying too heavily on Airbnb

• How to adapt your STR model in unpredictable markets

• Why Sebastian shifted from arbitrage to full-service management

• How to set expectations with property owners from day one

• What makes a guest experience truly unforgettable — even during a power outage

• Simple, scalable strategies to stand out in a saturated listing market

• How to prepare your business for the next OTA algorithm shift

  
  

Whether you're just starting out or scaling past 50+ units, this episode will change the way you think about platforms, risk, and resilience in the short-term rental space.