After turning a retirement investment into a thriving vacation rental business, Tufan Beyatli, owner of Vacations At Destin, built an impressive portfolio of 27 beach properties in Destin, Florida. What started as a hobby quickly became a full-time career — fueled by a passion for creating unforgettable guest experiences and the power of OwnerRez automation.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I purchased my first property in the Destin, Florida, area in 2007. I acquired a second property in 2015 and quickly expanded my portfolio to 27 properties by 2024. My background is in Telecom Management. Initially, this began as a retirement investment, but by 2021, it transitioned into my full-time occupation. I own all the properties individually or with partners, all of which are beach properties in Destin. I have incredible guests who appreciate the experience, making operating and renting out these properties enjoyable.

What is your background?

I worked as an electrical and electronics engineer for 25 years in Wireless Telecom, starting as a Network Planning engineer and eventually managing mid to large teams in Telecom Management.

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

Vacation rentals started as an investment and a hobby for me, but it has now become my second career.

If later, is there something that drew you to that area?

I do not live in the Destin area but travel there very often. The Emerald Coast's pristine white sands and turquoise waters attracted me to the area, and I fell in love at first sight.

What do you love the most about the VR business?

What I love the most about the VR business is the appreciation we receive from our customers.

What do you dislike the most about it?

Doing taxes.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

I have automated OwnerRez to the point that I only work when there’s a question about the properties or if a unit needs servicing. Everything else runs on automation. I couldn't have grown the business without OwnerRez, which has made it possible to automate all messaging, generate door codes, and send notifications to cleaners. 

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

The most useful features OwnerRez offers me are door code automation, which simplifies guest access, as well as templates and triggers that help streamline communication and tasks. I also find the reporting tools extremely valuable for tracking performance and making data-driven decisions.

It's always inspiring to see how OwnerRez helps vacation rental businesses succeed! Wishing Vacations at Destin continued growth and success as they scale their thriving business.