STR News.

AI agents are transforming travel by maintaining customer context across fragmented journeys. This continuity can enhance loyalty and direct bookings, turning downtime between trips into a revenue channel. Personalized interactions are key to keeping guests engaged beyond their stay.

AI-generated fake hotel videos promoting fake amenities are emerging on platforms like TikTok, posing a trust risk for travelers. Hosts should be aware of these deceptive marketing tactics.

Hostfully and Furnished Finder have partnered to enhance opportunities for STR operators targeting the monthly rental market. This collaboration aims to expand the reach and accessibility for hosts looking to cater to longer-stay guests.

Vrbo is significantly increasing its focus on paid listings, shifting its strategy towards a more commission-based model. This move will likely impact how hosts attract visibility on the platform, potentially favoring those willing to invest more in advertising to stand out.

Vrbo has launched global sponsored listings, allowing hosts to pay for premium search positions. Operating on a pay-per-booked-night model, this feature aims to boost visibility in competitive markets. Pilot partners saw significant booking and revenue increases.

AI chatbots are increasingly influencing travel planning by narrowing down destination choices early. A study of Chinese AI bots like ERNIE Bot and Doubao shows they can exclude options before travelers even consider them, impacting visibility.

U.S. travel execs aim for 100M+ international visitors by 2030, a 46% increase from 2025. This ambitious goal could make the U.S. the top global tourist destination, surpassing France. The World Cup showcased the nation, but current inbound tourism is still lagging.

Intrepid Travel partners with Air Canada Vacations to offer adventurous domestic itineraries, aligning with government pushes for increased Canadian travel. The collaboration aims to bring immersive, active, and culinary experiences to travelers exploring Canada's backyard through Air Canada's network.

Vrbo is enhancing its platform with new features aimed at improving the vacation rental experience. These updates focus on providing hosts with more tools to manage their listings and appeal to travelers, suggesting a strategic move by Expedia to bolster its STR offerings.

Expedia Group is significantly expanding its vacation rental offerings with a major product launch for VRBO and Escapia. This move aims to accelerate growth in the vacation rental market, signaling continued investment and innovation in the sector from major OTAs.

Expedia Group is significantly expanding its vacation rental offerings for Vrbo and Escapia with its largest product launch to date. This strategic move aims to bolster growth in the vacation rental sector, enhancing the platform's capabilities for hosts and travelers.

Airbnb has appointed Pepijn Rijvers, ex-Booking.com hotel boss, as Chief Business Officer. This move signals Airbnb's strategic priority to expand its boutique hotels business, with thousands already added across major cities.

Vrbo is rolling out sponsored search listings globally, allowing hosts to increase visibility in search results. This feature aims to help hosts stand out in a competitive market, potentially driving more bookings for those who utilize it.

Vrbo is launching Sponsored Listings globally, allowing hosts to pay for premium placement in search results. This auction-based, per-booked-night model offers a new way for hosts to attract bookings on the platform.

Expedia Group is significantly expanding its vacation rental offerings on VRBO and Escapia with its largest-ever product launch. This move signals a major push to accelerate growth in the vacation rental market, enhancing platform capabilities and likely introducing new tools for hosts and travelers.

Hotels are transforming F&B into revenue drivers by attracting locals, not just guests. Compelling dining can now account for over half of a hotel's non-room revenue, with 71% of travelers prioritizing culinary experiences in 2026.

Vrbo now offers pay-when-booked placement for top search results, a significant change for hosts. Expedia is also rolling out 12 new tools to enhance the hosting experience. This update aims to improve visibility and operational efficiency for hosts on the platform.

Expedia Group is expanding its vacation rental offerings through significant product launches for Vrbo and Escapia. This initiative signals a strong push into the growing STR market, aiming to enhance the platform's capabilities for hosts and travelers alike, indicating continued investment in this sector.

Vrbo is rolling out sponsored listings, allowing hosts to pay for higher visibility in search results. This new feature aims to help properties stand out in a crowded market, potentially increasing bookings for those who utilize it.

Expedia Group is significantly expanding its vacation rental offerings on Vrbo and Escapia with its largest-ever product launch. This move aims to accelerate growth in the sector, indicating a strategic push to enhance the platform's capabilities and reach for hosts and travelers alike.

Workforce travel platform Roomex has significantly expanded its offering by adding 172,000 self-catering properties. This move targets demand for longer project stays and mobile workforces, providing apartments and houses alongside hotels and B&Bs.

Airbnb is piloting "direct booking links" with reduced commission fees for hosts. This initiative aims to incentivize hosts to drive direct bookings, potentially lowering costs for both hosts and guests by bypassing third-party platform fees.

Airbnb is piloting a program offering select U.S. hosts reduced service fees to incentivize new guest bookings. This initiative aims to boost platform growth and competition.

Airbnb is implementing fee reductions for hosts who bring their own guests to the platform. This initiative aims to incentivize hosts to drive direct bookings and reduce reliance on Airbnb's organic discovery.