STR News.

Airbnb's new Extended Cancellation Option lets guests pay to cancel up to 24 hours before check-in, even on strict policies. Hosts are still paid per their existing policy, with Airbnb covering the difference. The option is auto-enabled for eligible listings.

91% of vacation rental property managers agree communication is key to guest reviews. This highlights the critical role of clear, timely guest interactions in shaping the overall guest experience and the resulting ratings.

Marriott Homes & Villas is a growing vacation rental platform offering professionally managed properties with hotel-like consistency. It provides access to the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, attracting higher-spending guests and offering longer stays. However, the platform is limited to property managers, has strict eligibility requirements, and lacks guest reviews, which may impact conversion.

STR legal issues in 2026 span 7 categories: permits, zoning, taxes, contracts, liability, privacy, noise. Aggressive cities like NYC & Austin impose fines up to $7,500 and platform delistings. Systems, not legal expertise, prevent costly violations.

Airbnb's strategic moves, including the WeRoad investment and the hiring of Andrea D'Amico, suggest a shift towards building an in-real-life (IRL) social network. Airbnb's algorithm will reward listings that foster community and group dynamics, emphasizing the importance of communal spaces. Property managers must prioritize communal fit and local experience partners to succeed on the platform.

Airbnb and Vrbo cater to different guest types and charge distinct fees, significantly impacting property manager revenue. Airbnb dominates in booking volume, while Vrbo excels in family-oriented, whole-home rentals and delivers higher net payouts for hosts. Understanding these nuances, especially with the 2025 fee changes, is crucial for optimizing channel strategy.

This Hostfully article provides a comprehensive Vrbo marketing strategy for property managers, emphasizing listing optimization, platform promotion, and off-platform demand channels. The article highlights that listings with 25+ photos get 40% more views, and amenities are key for filtered searches. Building a direct booking website is also a crucial strategy.

Montenegro introduces new tax regulations for Airbnb and Booking.com platforms. While the details of the tax implications are yet to be fully revealed, hosts and property managers operating in Montenegro need to be prepared for the changes. This development underscores the increasing focus on regulating the short-term rental market and its revenue streams.

Dynamic pricing for Airbnb is no longer optional; it's a revenue-generating necessity. Property managers can boost revenue by 10-40% using dynamic strategies. This guide explains how to build a solid base price, factors affecting rates, and how to implement dynamic pricing across your portfolio to increase profits and justify pricing decisions.

This article discusses the Vacation Rental Property Management System Market, providing insights into its size and trends. Understanding the market size is vital for hosts and property managers. It helps in evaluating the technology landscape and identifying potential tools and services. Learn how this can inform strategic business decisions.

Vrbo is integrating with Uber, allowing users to book vacation rentals directly within the Uber app, powered by Expedia's B2B distribution network. This move aims to place Vrbo listings where potential guests already spend time. Meanwhile, Airbnb focuses on keeping guests within its ecosystem by offering additional services. Property managers must prioritize listing quality to be visible in these expanded distribution channels.

A report from Rentals United and PriceLabs warns property managers that they must adapt or risk losing market share in 2026. This highlights the ongoing need for dynamic pricing strategies and efficient operational adjustments to maintain competitiveness in the evolving short-term rental landscape. Hosts should analyze their current strategies and explore new tools.

A new report from Rentals United and PriceLabs highlights the "refinement era" of STRs, emphasizing operational efficiency and technology adoption. Dynamic pricing tools significantly outperform static rates, with notable occupancy gaps in major markets. The report warns against relying on a single OTA, and luxury properties see significant booking and revenue growth.

Smart locks for vacation rentals replace keys and lockboxes, automating access and streamlining operations. A Hostfully survey revealed only 39% of multi-property managers use unique PIN codes per reservation, leading to potential security and guest experience issues. Integrate your PMS with smart locks to create unique codes, which activate at check-in and expire at checkout.

Beyond Pricing's performance emails offer hosts a clear view of their vacation rental strategy's success, highlighting revenue growth, market outperformance, portfolio expansion, and time saved. These personalized reports, like 'Beyond the Stats' and the Quarterly Performance Digest, present actionable insights to maintain momentum and refine strategies for hosts and property managers. The emails make quiet work visible, such as automations and booking data.

A B.C. property manager's appeal against a document production order in a short-term rental fraud case was dismissed. The legal battle highlights increasing scrutiny on STR management practices and the importance of compliance. Property managers must ensure all documentation is accurate and transparent to avoid legal repercussions.

Airbnb's Q1 2026 earnings call offers insights crucial for property managers. The report reveals trends in pricing strategies and occupancy rates. Furthermore, the call touches upon the latest platform updates and their impact on revenue generation, emphasizing the importance of adaptability.

Property owners in Perth are increasingly switching their Airbnb managers, a trend quietly reshaping the local short-term rental market. The shift indicates potential dissatisfaction with current management services or a search for better performance. This move could signal increased competition among property managers and offers a chance for hosts to optimize their returns.

Cancellation policies in the short-term rental industry are shifting due to platform changes and evolving guest behavior. Data from Beyond shows fewer cancellations, but booking windows are shortening, compressing the time to rebook. Property managers must adapt by integrating cancellation probability into pricing, auditing policies, diversifying distribution, and leveraging late-window pricing to maintain revenue.

Hostfully's analysis reveals Airbnb's value in reaching new guests, while direct booking sites offer margin control and guest data ownership. Established hosts see 20-40% of reservations from direct bookings, offering significant profitability due to repeat business. Learn how to balance these channels for optimal revenue and long-term growth.

Key Data's CEO Jason Sprenkle is retiring in May, with Dustin Downing taking over. This leadership change signals the company's focus on growth and expanding its market intelligence offerings. Key Data's data tools are used by property managers and investors to track STR performance.

Airbnb's Q1 2026 earnings beat expectations, demonstrating strong growth in the STR market. This indicates continued profitability for hosts and a robust demand for short-term rentals. This positive news highlights a favorable environment for investors and existing property managers.

At the Short Stay Summit 2026, industry leaders discussed the practical application of AI in short-term rentals. They emphasized focusing on internal AI applications for operational efficiency before guest-facing tools. Data hygiene and employee adoption are critical, and hosts should avoid over-investing in custom-built technology.

The Short Stay Summit 2026 revealed valuable insights into AI adoption for smaller property managers, featuring perspectives from Sykes Cottages, Casago, and Vacasa. This article aims to help hosts understand how AI is transforming short-term rental operations and how they can leverage it. Learn strategies for implementing AI in your STR business.