STR News.

Airbnb is leveraging AI to accelerate feature development, including a new search function. This technological integration aims to enhance user experience and platform efficiency.

Gen Z business travelers seek clarity, not more tech, in booking systems. Their travel volume is set to double by 2030, indicating a growing influence on the industry. Hosts should focus on transparent policies and guided decision-making for this demographic.

The 2026 Skift IDEA Awards finalists showcase travel innovation. This year's awards feature a dedicated 'Short-Term Rentals' category, highlighting Shaping the Future of the STR industry. Explore leading companies driving change and creativity in travel.

Airbnb offers diverse support channels: Help Center, chat, phone, and Resolution Center. Prioritize issue type for faster resolution. Immediate safety issues require emergency services first, then Airbnb safety support. Prepare reservation details and desired outcomes before contacting.

Understanding the 'merchant of record' (MoR) is crucial for STR hosts. While Airbnb acts as MoR, Vrbo, Booking.com, and direct bookings make you the MoR, granting control over cash flow, refunds, and deposits in exchange for financial responsibility. Reconciling payouts is a key challenge.

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky highlighted a new service that addresses a common guest annoyance as a 'sleeper hit.' This indicates Airbnb is focusing on improving core guest experiences to drive satisfaction and bookings.

Airbnb is leveraging AI to accelerate product development, with CEO Brian Chesky highlighting a shift to an AI-native company. This allows for faster rollout of new services like airport pickups, contrasting with longer development times for past ventures. The core business is also accelerating.

Booking Holdings is consolidating its B2B units from Agoda, Booking.com, and Priceline onto a new platform, Booking Partner Services. This massive tech migration is underway and expected to continue into 2027, impacting how travel inventory is sold to partners.

This article from HGTV.com outlines seven common and costly mistakes short-term rental homeowners should avoid to ensure profitability and a smooth hosting experience. Key errors include neglecting insurance, improper pricing, and overlooking guest communication.

Landing's new Occupancy on Demand service allows multifamily operators to quickly convert vacant units into furnished flexible-stay rentals. The self-service portal offers fast underwriting and activation within 30 days, with Landing managing all operations.

Consumers are increasingly turning to news outlets like ABC7 Bay Area when Airbnb bookings go wrong due to burglaries or severe weather, highlighting issues with the platform's refund policies. The article suggests a growing disconnect between guest expectations and Airbnb's resolution process for unforeseen circumstances.

Consumers are increasingly contacting '7 On Your Side' when Airbnb refuses refunds for problematic reservations. This highlights a growing issue with guest dissatisfaction and the platform's dispute resolution process.

Reddit users are sharing their experiences of switching from Airbnb to hotels, citing increasing hassles and declining value for money. This trend suggests a potential shift in traveler preferences and highlights growing concerns about the short-term rental experience.

Vacation rental cleaning poses occupational hazards like chemical exposure, ergonomic strain, and slips/falls. Unique risks include working alone in unfamiliar homes, around pools, and dealing with guest-left messes. Implement safety protocols for cleaner well-being and operational continuity.

A vacation rental cleaning contract formalizes the relationship between hosts and cleaners, defining scope, standards, schedule, and payment. It prevents disputes by setting clear expectations and protects both parties when issues arise, crucial for consistent guest-ready turnovers.

Finding reliable Airbnb cleaners is crucial for STR hosts. Explore marketplaces like Turno, local referrals, and agencies. Thorough vetting includes references, insurance, and a paid trial clean. Proper onboarding with written standards and checklists is key to retention.

Sharing your Airbnb calendar with cleaners is crucial for preventing missed turnovers. Methods range from simple iCal syncs for 1-2 listings to scalable PMS integrations for growing portfolios, automating assignments and notifications.

This guide details adapting cleaning checklists for STRs by property type (cabin, condo, luxury, group) and booking channel. It emphasizes a universal base list with property-specific addenda for consistency and meeting premium platform standards.

Streamline Airbnb turnovers with specialized cleaning software. Tools like Breezeway, Turno, and Properly automate scheduling, checklists, and photo verification, saving hosts time and preventing guest issues. Integration with PMS is key for seamless operations.

Systematize your short-term rental housekeeping for consistent turns at scale. This guide details staffing, SOPs, linen programs, quality control with photos, and maintenance handoffs. Software adoption rises sharply with portfolio size for efficient operations.

Vacation rental cleaning is crucial for bookings & reviews, costing $150-$300 per turnover. Standardizing with checklists, automating with software, and performing deep cleans are key. Rising guest expectations demand hotel-level hygiene.

A short-term rental owner called the Wake County Sheriff's Office before a shooting on Joe Leach Road. This highlights the potential for serious safety concerns at STR properties. Hosts must be aware of and prepared for such extreme situations.

Beyond's Implementation Specialist, Abhinav Anand, details the company's growth and product evolution. The company supports clients with thousands of properties, assists with PMS migrations, and focuses on client onboarding and dynamic pricing. Anand highlights the positive company culture and ongoing product improvements.

Airbnb is partnering with local emergency services to offer free housing to evacuees displaced by wildfires in six California counties. This initiative highlights the role STRs can play in disaster relief and community support during emergencies.