STR News.

Vrbo's 2026 Vacation Rentals of the Year have been announced, showcasing top-performing properties across various categories. The selections highlight properties excelling in guest experience, design, and amenities, providing insights into evolving guest preferences. Learn about the trends driving success in the STR market and how to enhance your listing.

Vrbo announces its top vacation rentals for 2026, offering insights into high-performing properties. This announcement highlights guest favorites and may reveal emerging trends in amenities and design. Hosts can learn from the selections to enhance their listings and improve guest satisfaction.

In 2026, a Banff cabin made Vrbo's list of top vacation rentals. This indicates high demand in the Banff market, a potential trend for unique property types. Hosts should consider this as they review market trends and explore new areas for investment.

VRBO is launching "Surprise-Free Vacation Rentals" in an effort to rebuild traveler trust. This initiative likely includes enhanced property descriptions and guaranteed accuracy. By focusing on transparency, VRBO seeks to improve guest satisfaction and drive bookings in a competitive market.

This article discusses Vrbo's new marketing campaign aimed at addressing vacation pain points. While the exact details of the campaign are not provided, the focus suggests an effort to improve the guest experience, potentially through enhanced features or services. Hosts should stay informed about such initiatives, as they can impact platform performance and guest expectations.

Guest screening is crucial for protecting your short-term rental from damage, fraud, and neighbor complaints, and compliance. This Hostfully article outlines how listing sites like Airbnb and Vrbo offer screening tools like ID verification and guest reviews. Hosts can also use pre-booking forms and automated messaging for stricter screening. Tailoring screening processes to your property type, and the location, and being consistent is key to reducing risk.

This Vrbo commercial analysis from PriceLabs examines the 2026 "Teenagers" ad and its tagline. While specific findings from the analysis aren't given in this article, it is likely that the ad is focusing on the current state of pricing to ensure hosts are pricing appropriately to maximize bookings. More specifics can be found in the PriceLabs RSU analysis.

Vrbo shifts its advertising strategy, moving away from direct competition with Airbnb and focusing on aspirational content and guest expectations. The platform's new tagline, "If you know, you Vrbo," targets a pre-sold audience. Hosts should focus on high-quality visuals and consistent presentation to align with Vrbo's evolving marketing.

Victoria, Canada is considering a hotel tax for Airbnb and Vrbo rentals. This potential tax aims to generate revenue from short-term rentals, affecting host profitability. Hosts should monitor developments to understand the tax implications for their business and budget accordingly.

The City of Victoria is considering adding a hotel tax to Airbnb and Vrbo rentals, indicating a growing trend in local governments seeking to increase revenue. This potential tax increase could significantly impact the profitability of short-term rental hosts in the area. Hosts should monitor local news for updates and understand the potential financial implications.

This Skift podcast episode discusses the $7 billion in unredeemed loyalty points held by Marriott and Hilton, and how hotels are leveraging these points to generate revenue. The show also touches on mid-scale brand expansion, and VRBO's sponsorship of the show. The key takeaway is how hotels view loyalty points as a source of demand and revenue.

This article discusses the anticipated growth of the vacation rental marketplace, featuring major platforms like Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com. It suggests a positive outlook for the industry, implying expanding opportunities for hosts. The implication is that now is a good time to get started with or expand STR businesses.

Decatur, Alabama will begin accepting short-term rental applications on Wednesday, legalizing Airbnbs and VRBOs. This change allows hosts to operate legally. Hosts should review local regulations to ensure compliance, as this is a new development.

A North Alabama city has implemented a new ordinance to regulate short-term rentals, capping the number of properties at 150 per year. This crackdown is intended to address concerns related to the growing STR market. This type of regulation can impact both existing and prospective hosts, requiring them to comply with new limits.

The Short Stay Summit 2026 in the UK, led by Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO, is set to address key industry trends. This summit, featuring major global players, will likely shape the future of the STR market. Hosts can expect insights on platform developments, market dynamics, and operational best practices.

This article discusses Airbnb's legal victory against Vrbo concerning the use of Nick Saban in commercials. The outcome highlights the competitive landscape between major short-term rental platforms and the importance of intellectual property rights in advertising. Hosts can gain insight into platform competition and how it may impact their listings.

This article reports on Airbnb's legal victory against Vrbo concerning the use of Nick Saban in commercials. The ruling highlights potential competition in marketing strategies and brand representation within the short-term rental market. The outcome may influence how platforms approach advertising and intellectual property in their promotional efforts.

Owning an Airbnb or Vrbo requires effort, as stated by Long Island hosts. Managing rentals involves various tasks, and the article likely explores the experiences and advice of local hosts. It implies the potential rewards are worth it, suggesting profitability or other benefits. The article likely discusses the value of short-term rentals despite the work.

This article from WBAL-TV, promoted on the VRBO platform, highlights potential scams to avoid during spring break travels. It emphasizes the importance of carefully examining listings and communications with potential hosts. Hosts should ensure their listings are accurate and transparent to instill guest trust and avoid any scams that could result in negative reviews and potential financial losses.

Vrbo introduces VrboCare, a new set of policies designed to safeguard travelers' bookings. This initiative aims to provide enhanced protection and reassurance for guests using the platform. It's a key update focusing on improving guest trust and confidence in the Vrbo booking process.

This article from VRBO warns spring breakers to be vigilant against scams when booking stays. It highlights red flags such as unverified listings, pressure tactics from hosts, and requests for off-platform payments. Hosts should verify guests and platform communication to ensure a secure transaction, protecting their listing's reputation.

This WMUR article alerts spring breakers to potential scams on VRBO. It highlights the importance of scrutinizing listings, particularly for suspicious pricing, and urges caution regarding direct communication outside the platform. Hosts should ensure they provide accurate listing information to avoid guest dissatisfaction.

This article from WESH (VRBO platform) warns spring break travelers about potential scams in short-term rentals. It highlights red flags such as listings with no reviews, unusually low prices, or demands for off-platform communication, providing valuable insights for avoiding fraudulent bookings and protecting vacation investments.

This article from WGAL, sourced from the VRBO platform, warns travelers about spring break rental scams. It highlights the importance of recognizing red flags before booking to avoid fraud and ensure a safe and enjoyable vacation. These tips are crucial for travelers seeking to use short-term rentals.