AUGUST 27, 2025

 #147 Direct Bookings for Short-Term Rentals: How One Host Reached 70% Without OTAs

What if the career you’ve spent decades building was the very thing standing in the way of the life you actually want?

That was the turning point for Kerri Gibson, a former CPA who traded spreadsheets and boardrooms for ski chalets and a motel full of heart. And along the way, she discovered the holy grail for hosts: direct bookings for short-term rentals.

In this inspiring episode, Kerri shares how she built a hospitality business in Quebec that now boasts 70% direct bookings—yes, 70%!—all without relying heavily on OTAs. Her story proves that with the right mix of courage, strategy, and vision, you can build a brand that guests love to book directly.

From Corner Office to Chalets and Motels

After 22 years in corporate tax and accounting software, burnout finally pushed Kerri to make a change. What started as a simple house flip soon snowballed into seven renovated ski chalets—and eventually, a full-scale motel transformation.

But here’s the powerful part: Kerri didn’t just build a portfolio of properties. She built a hospitality brand rooted in values, connection, and guest experience.

And she made a bold shift that many hosts dream of—prioritizing direct bookings for short-term rentals to reclaim control, reduce OTA fees, and strengthen guest relationships.

The Strategies Behind 70% Direct Bookings

So, how exactly did Kerri get there?

Here are a few of the key strategies she used to build her direct booking success:

• A strong brand identity. Kerri and her partner infused their spaces with a signature “hygge” concept—warm, cozy, and inviting—that keeps guests coming back.

• An optimized website. Professional, user-friendly, and built to convert browsers into bookers.

• Guest nurturing. From pre-stay communication to thoughtful post-checkout touches, Kerri built trust and loyalty beyond the transaction.

• Community-focused marketing. She leaned into storytelling and creating authentic experiences that made guests feel part of something special.

It’s a strategy that puts people over platforms—and it’s one you can replicate, too. For a deeper dive, check out this direct booking guide from Boostly.

What Hosts Get Wrong About Direct Bookings

Here’s the truth: direct bookings don’t magically appear just because you put up a website.

Kerri points out some common mistakes:

• Relying solely on OTAs. Great for visibility, but you’ll always be at their mercy.

• Underestimating branding. Guests don’t just book properties—they book stories, vibes, and experiences.

• Skipping the follow-up. That post-stay email or offer might be the nudge that turns a one-time guest into a loyal, direct booker.

Avoiding these missteps could be the difference between filling your calendar with OTA fees…or keeping more revenue in your pocket.

Lessons Beyond Business

Kerri’s story isn’t just about properties and profit. It’s about choosing alignment over burnout, and building a business that truly reflects her values.

From navigating the transition from colleagues to business partners and spouses, to learning the power of uncomfortable but necessary conversations, her journey is filled with lessons about resilience, partnership, and growth.

And that’s the heart of her story: when you commit to building with intention, success shows up in ways you never imagined.

Wrap-Up

Direct bookings for short-term rentals aren’t just possible—they’re powerful. They give you control, deepen guest loyalty, and build long-term profitability.

If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping away from the corporate grind—or simply building a hospitality business on your own terms—Kerri’s story is living proof that it can be done.

So, are you ready to take back control from the OTAs and build a business that reflects your vision?

HIGHLIGHTS AND KEY POINTS:

Golden Nuggets:

• “Find coziness, comfort and the simplicity of the small moments of life surrounded by those that you love the most.”
• “I had to learn to find space for him to be a part of the business and flourish. And as we’ve defined, find our swim lanes, which is super important. It’s allowed us to find, like these great things that go in sync together. You know, the Ying and the Yang.”
• “One of the first things I would say that was transformative for our relationship is the five languages of love and it’s not just for romantic relationships. It works for business relationships. It works for friendships like the five languages of love of all types of love, but doing that helped both of us to understand that on an even deeper level, like what’s the most important in communication.”
• “Never, ever, ever build your house on someone else’s land, no matter how small you are.”
• “You have to create the strategy, then go implement the strategy. But without that strategy-first approach, it’s just like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that something works.”
• “There’s nothing you can’t do, or nothing you can’t be, there’s only what you’re willing to work for.”

Let’s Connect!

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kerri-gibson-cpa

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kerri_reinvented

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