Episode OverviewIn this special episode recorded live at the Gather · Connect · Grow conference hosted by Short-Term Rentals Asia in Bangkok, Justin Sun sits down with founders, operators, and technology leaders shaping the short-term rental industry across Asia. Through a series of short conversations recorded during the conference, guests share perspectives on technology adoption, hospitality culture, regulation, luxury travel, and the future of short-term rentals in the region. Episode DescriptionThis episode was recorded live at the inaugural Gather · Connect · Grow conference hosted by Short-Term Rentals Asia (STRA) in Bangkok. Between moderating a panel and attending sessions, Justin Sun sat down with founders, operators, and technology leaders across the short-term rental ecosystem to capture their perspectives on where the industry in Asia stands today — and where it may be heading next. Rather than one long interview, this episode brings together a series of short conversations recorded throughout the conference, offering a snapshot of the ecosystem directly from the people building it. Topics explored in this episode include: • How short-term rentals in Asia differ from Western markets • The role of AI, automation, and property management systems in scaling operations • Why hospitality culture and service remain critical in luxury villa markets • Regulation and licensing challenges in markets like Bali and Thailand • The growing importance of brand, storytelling, and experience in luxury travel • What founders and operators are bullish — and cautious — about for the future Guests featured in this episode include: Idan Carmi — Chief Growth Officer, Boom PMSAdhiguna — CEO, The Kayon Hotels & Resorts (Bali)Frazer King — Founder & CEO, EvryStayNaree Suneta — President, Thailand Hostel AssociationCee Charuchinda — Luxury brand strategist and connectorKadek Adnyana — Bali Villa Rental Management AssociationLorenzo Lella — Octorate PMSJan Sahagun — Founder, STR Tech ReportJake — Founder, Erudite VR Together, these conversations offer a real-time look at the short-term rental ecosystem in Asia, from operators on the ground to the technology and leadership shaping its next phase of growth. ⏱️ Timestamps(00:33) Intro — Live from STRA Bangkok and the inaugural Gather · Connect · Grow conference hosted by Short-Term Rentals Asia (02:22) Idan Carmi (Boom PMS) — Building an AI-native PMS from real operator pain points and why cheap labor in Asia can slow tech adoption (17:46) Adhiguna (The Kayon Hotels & Resorts, Bali) — Bali’s villa oversupply, new regulation crackdown, and the balance between STRs and hotels (28:53) Frazer King (EvryStay) — AI guest guides, concierge recommendations, and how local experiences can drive ancillary revenue (37:37) Naree Suneta (Thailand Hostel Association) — What “short-term rentals” mean in Thailand and how hostels shape local travel culture (53:27) Cee (Luxury strategist) — Luxury travel in Asia, UHNW expectations, and why privacy and storytelling define premium hospitality (1:09:39) Kadek Adnyana (Bali Villa Rental Management Association) — Protecting Bali’s culture, managing foreign investment, and sustaining local operators (1:21:01) Lorenzo Lella (Octorate PMS) — OTA fragmentation, tech stacks, and strategies for operators navigating distribution (1:33:06) Jan Sahagun (STR Tech Report) — The global STR tech ecosystem and how AI is reshaping property management tools (1:45:00) Jake (Erudite VR) — Revenue management, pricing strategies in Bali, and why human judgment still matters in dynamic pricing Connect with The Curious ConciergeShort Term Rental Asia (STRA) LinkedIn Instagram Justin Sun | The Curious Concierge LinkedIn Instagram TikTok Email: justin@thecuriousconcierge.com Fourth Space Hospitality: https://fourthspacehospitality.com If you know a hotelier, villa operator, designer, or founder shaping hospitality in Asia, feel free to reach out or make an introduction. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a rating or review — it helps more listeners discover the show.