News
Stay updated with the latest STR industry news and regulations

TikTok’s U.S. Sale: A Reprieve for Travel Brands, or a Tech-Induced Headache?
TikTok is selling a portion of its U.S. operation to American investors, potentially impacting how travel brands, and by extension, STR hosts, market their listings. This shift may alter the algorithms and discovery on the platform, affecting reach and visibility for your listings, so keep an eye on marketing trends.

OpenAI Breaks Open ChatGPT App Submissions
OpenAI is allowing developers to build apps directly within ChatGPT, similar to mobile app stores. Booking.com and Expedia are early adopters. Hosts can potentially leverage these apps for their STR business.
How to Build a Portfolio in Three Time Zones Without Leaving Home
This article discusses how to build a short-term rental portfolio across multiple time zones without being physically present. Hosts should focus on market fundamentals, build strong local teams, and treat their STR investments like a business to scale effectively.
Airbnb SEO Tips: How to Improve Your Airbnb Listing Quality and Ranking in 2026
This article from Lodgify will provide tips on how to improve your Airbnb listing and ranking in 2026. Hosts can improve their listing quality and SEO to attract more guests.
2026 travel predictions revealed
Airbnb predicts travel trends for 2026, focusing on immersive experiences, including short international trips for Gen Z, national park visits, and culinary journeys. Hosts should consider the rising popularity of these destinations and curate their listings to appeal to these trends by highlighting local experiences and amenities.
How to Sell a Short Term Rental: Investor’s Complete Guide
This article from The Short Term Shop provides a guide for investors looking to sell their short-term rentals, highlighting key valuation differences compared to residential properties. It emphasizes the importance of choosing a specialized real estate agent with experience in the STR market and offers practical steps to maximize property appeal for potential buyers.
This Online Side Hustle Pays for My Rentals (And Could Fund Your First Deal)
This article discusses how to generate income by selling digital products on Etsy, which can be used to fund real estate investments, including STRs. Hosts can create and sell digital products like templates and trackers to supplement their income, providing a low-cost, scalable business opportunity.
Agents Won’t Bring You Deals? Tell Them This
This BiggerPockets blog post discusses strategies for building relationships with real estate agents to find investment properties and offers insights on investing in Chicago, including its potential as a 'sleeper' market for real estate. Hosts can learn how to set expectations with agents and understand the benefits of investing in Chicago, while also avoiding the common mistake of expecting agents to work for them without offering any value in return.
8 Best Airbnb Alternatives: Book Better Vacation Rentals - NerdWallet
This article from NerdWallet provides a list of alternative vacation rental platforms to Airbnb. Hosts can explore these options to diversify their listings and potentially reach a wider audience.

A Host Guide to HomeToGo Vacation Rentals
This article is a host guide to HomeToGo, a metasearch engine and direct booking platform. Hosts can list directly on HomeToGo, which attracts travelers with an average booking window of 90 days, but must manage calendar and pricing synchronization to avoid double bookings. Understanding the fee structures (commission or split fee) is essential for maximizing visibility.
The BRRRR Power Plan: 11 Steps to Scale Faster in 2026
This article provides a BRRRR (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat) strategy for real estate investors, with a focus on refinancing in 2026. Hosts are encouraged to stabilize their properties, build a digital paperwork HQ, and negotiate loan terms to maximize their returns and scale their portfolios.
Lodgify’s Top Vacation Rental Blog Posts of 2025
This article announces Lodgify's top blog posts of 2025. While the specific content isn't detailed, it suggests hosts should check out Lodgify's blog for valuable insights on vacation rental management.
Lodgify Wrap-Up: Our Favorite Moments of 2025
Lodgify is reflecting on its achievements in 2025. This provides an opportunity to reflect on industry trends and potential changes in the vacation rental space. Hosts can use this information to stay informed on the platform and market.
I Built a Real Estate Business That Replaced My High-Paying W2 (Here’s How)
This article discusses a real estate investor's journey from a high-paying job in Australia to building a real estate business in New Orleans, focusing on market research and leveraging data to identify opportunities. Hosts can learn from the investor's data-driven approach, even when investing remotely.
Unveiling 26 Olympian and Paralympian experiences for Milano Cortina 2026
Airbnb is offering unique experiences with Olympians and Paralympians during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Hosts near the event location could see increased demand and should consider preparing their listings to attract guests attending the games.
Exploring Airbnb Experiences: Opportunities for Hosts
This article explores Airbnb Experiences, a feature allowing hosts to offer activities and tours to guests. Hosts can boost revenue, improve guest experiences, and gain visibility by integrating these experiences into their rental businesses. It provides insights into requirements, benefits, and how to create successful Airbnb Experience listings.
Airbnb announces over $1M historic investment into Houston community alongside FIFA World Cup 26™ Houston Host Committee
Airbnb is investing over $1 million in Houston, TX, to support community initiatives and improve infrastructure ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. This investment aims to create lasting benefits for Houstonians, including the development of a Green Corridor and expanded soccer access, while also boosting the local economy through increased guest spending.
SPONSORED: Unwind: Elevating Luxury Vacation Rentals Across the Southeast - Little Rock Soirée
This sponsored article promotes Unwind, a luxury vacation rental company. Hosts can explore how luxury rentals are being elevated in the Southeast market.
Vacation Rental Growth: Evolve Expands Portfolio with Guestworks Acquisition - Travel And Tour World
Evolve is expanding its portfolio by acquiring Guestworks. This indicates growth in the vacation rental market and could mean increased competition or new opportunities for hosts. Hosts may want to monitor market trends and consider how this acquisition might affect their local market.

Airbnb Growth in 2026: Is the Platform Peaking?
Airbnb's growth is expected to continue in 2026, though at a slower pace than in the past, with opportunities for hosts in emerging markets and premium stays. Hosts should focus on standing out through high-quality listings, strategic pricing, and diversification to thrive amidst increasing competition and evolving guest expectations.