How AI Is Transforming Short-Term Rental Bookings

What does it take to scale a property management business without sacrificing the guest experience? For Steve and Kim Resnick, co-founders of HeavenlyRez and AirDNA’s 2026 #1 Property Managers, the answer starts with one principle: hospitality comes first. What began with managing their own Ocean City, New Jersey vacation rental evolved into a 100+ property operation built around five-star reviews, operational discipline, and a relentless focus on improving the guest experience.In this episode, Jamie Lane sits down with Steve and Kim to unpack the systems behind their growth—from centralized linen operations and three-point property inspections to interior design, proactive guest communication, KPI tracking, and the strategic use of AI. They also explain why they’ve chosen to stay focused on a single market, how they think about property-level ROI, and why scaling doesn’t have to mean letting service quality slip.Whether you’re managing a handful of properties or building toward a much larger portfolio, this conversation offers a practical look at how better processes, the right people, and a hospitality-first mindset can create a more scalable and profitable STR business.You don’t want to miss this episode!Key TakeawaysBuild systems before you scale. Standard operating procedures, clear accountability, and consistent processes can help maintain quality as your portfolio grows.Treat hospitality as the foundation. From proactive communication to 24/7 support, creating a great guest experience requires more than simply providing a clean place to stay.Centralize what you can control. HeavenlyRez’s decision to bring linens and consumables in-house gave the team greater consistency, quality control, and operational visibility.Use data and AI to improve—not replace—the human experience. AI can help identify trends in reviews, surface property information, and monitor KPIs while people remain responsible for meaningful guest interactions.Invest in the property experience. Thoughtful design, durable furnishings, smart bed configurations, and consistent amenities can improve marketability, guest satisfaction, and ultimately owner returns.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Website: www.heavenlyrez.comInstagram: @heavenlyrezFacebook: HeavenlyRezTikTok: @heavenlyrez—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 196

Revenue management is getting faster, smarter, and more accessible—but building the next generation of pricing technology comes with a surprising challenge: how do you get operators to trust the numbers? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with AirDNA’s Data Science Manager Marc Moreno and Senior Product Manager Jordon Myers to go behind the scenes of building AirDNA’s new revenue management platform, Adapt.The conversation explores what AirDNA learned from hundreds of conversations with STR operators, including the surprising number of hosts still managing pricing manually and the widespread frustration with opaque pricing recommendations. Marc and Jordon explain why explainability became a core design principle, how millions of listings and noisy data shaped the modeling process, and why some of the most promising AI approaches had to be reconsidered. They also unpack how AI has fundamentally changed the product development process—from months-long handoffs to rapid prototyping, testing, and iteration with real users.Looking ahead, the team discusses where revenue management is headed as AI agents, APIs, and new data interfaces become more common. The future may not be about forcing operators into another dashboard—it could be about making reliable revenue management data and recommendations accessible wherever operators already work.You don’t want to miss this behind-the-scenes look at how the future of STR revenue management is being built.Key TakeawaysTrust is just as important as accuracy. A pricing recommendation is only valuable if operators understand where it came from and feel confident acting on it.Clean data is the foundation of good pricing. With millions of listings across multiple channels, filtering noise and engineering the right signals can be just as important as the model itself.Events require proactive pricing. Rather than waiting for demand to appear in the data, revenue management systems need to identify external signals early enough to adjust pricing before bookings happen.AI is changing how products are built. Rapid prototyping and AI-assisted development allow teams to test ideas with real data and users much faster than traditional product-development cycles.The future may extend beyond the UI. As operators increasingly use AI agents, APIs, and their own internal tools, revenue management data needs to be accessible wherever decisions are being made.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Jordon Myers - Senior Product Manager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordon-myers/Marc Moreno - Data Science Manager: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmorenol/—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 195

The short-term rental industry is entering a new phase—and the old playbook of growth at all costs may no longer be the answer. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane sits down with Annie Holcombe and Alex Husner, to unpack how the industry has evolved, what operators have learned from the post-COVID growth boom, and why professionalism isn't necessarily about managing hundreds of properties. From individual hosts to large property managers, success increasingly comes down to building sustainable operations, delivering great guest experiences, and understanding what actually drives profitability.The conversation also dives into some of the biggest forces reshaping the industry: AI, property management technology, local vs. national brands, and the changing relationship between operators and OTAs. Alex and Annie share their perspectives on where AI is already making an impact, why smaller operators may actually be better positioned to adopt new technology, and how property managers can balance direct bookings with the reach of OTAs and emerging AI-driven search. They also explore what professionalization really means—and why the industry needs to do a better job of bringing newer and smaller operators into the broader conversation.The future of STR is changing quickly—and you don’t want to miss this episode!Key TakeawaysGrowth isn't the only measure of success: Sustainable operations, stronger margins, and better owner and guest experiences can be more valuable than simply adding units.Professionalization is about fundamentals: Strong accounting, guest safety, consistent service, profitability, and intentional operations matter more than hitting a specific property count.AI adoption will depend on the operator: Smaller businesses may have an advantage because they can implement new tools without having to overhaul a massive existing tech stack.Local expertise still matters: The future may be less about choosing between local and national models and more about combining local market knowledge with the efficiencies of scale.Marketing is becoming more complex: Operators need to think beyond individual OTAs and direct bookings, with SEO, reviews, social content, repeat guests, and AI-driven discovery all becoming part of the demand-generation strategy.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Connect with Alex and Annie on social mediaAlex Husner, Founder and CEO of Directly Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-o-husner%F0%9F%8C%8E-1844306/Annie Holcombe, Founder and CEO of Annie & Co. : https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-holcombe-vrgal/Podcast page: https://www.alexandanniepodcast.com/—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 194

The way travelers discover short-term rentals is changing—and the biggest shift may be happening before they ever visit Airbnb, Vrbo, or a property manager’s website. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Jason Cincotta, co-founder of Kismet, to unpack how AI-powered search is reshaping travel discovery, how much revenue it may already be influencing, and why traditional attribution models could be missing a huge part of the picture.The conversation goes beyond the headline numbers. Jamie and Jason explore why AI-driven guests may convert at higher rates, why so much AI research happens “in the dark” without appearing in traditional analytics, and how the rise of AI could change the long-standing balance between OTAs and direct bookings. They also discuss what property managers and hosts can do today—from improving imagery and website experiences to making their property data easier for AI systems to understand.You don’t want to miss this episode if you want to understand where STR distribution is headed next.Key TakeawaysAI search is already influencing STR bookings. Traditional referral and UTM data may dramatically undercount the impact of AI-driven travel research.The travel “front door” is changing. Guests are increasingly using AI to research destinations, build itineraries, compare properties, and determine where they want to stay before visiting a booking platform.Direct bookings could gain an advantage. AI can potentially compare OTAs with direct channels and surface properties based on the individual traveler’s needs, preferences, and previous experiences.Your website still matters. More AI visibility only helps if your direct booking experience can convert the traffic. Strong imagery, compelling copy, mobile functionality, branding, and a seamless booking engine are becoming increasingly important.Make your property easy for AI to understand. Structured, accurate information about your homes—including amenities, imagery, availability, pricing, and other commercial data—can help ensure your inventory is discoverable in emerging AI-powered search environments.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 193

The U.S. short-term rental market is showing surprising strength—even as the broader economy sends mixed signals. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher break down July’s performance and explore what’s really driving growth across the STR market. U.S. RevPAR jumped 7.2% in July, with ADR emerging as the biggest contributor, while occupancy also moved into positive year-over-year growth.The conversation goes beyond the headline numbers to separate the impact of the 2026 World Cup from broader market trends. While World Cup host cities saw significant gains in both rates and supply, the rest of the country also delivered strong rate growth—and supply growth outside host cities remained below 2%. Looking ahead, Jamie and Bram discuss why higher interest rates could keep supply growth constrained, why improving occupancy and ADR could support strong unit-level performance through the rest of 2026, and what changing booking behavior means for pricing strategy.One of the most encouraging signals for operators is a reversal in the long-running trend toward shorter booking windows. Lead times have increased or held steady for four consecutive months, with coastal markets seeing particularly notable gains. For hosts and managers, that shift could create new opportunities to capture demand earlier and price more strategically.You don’t want to miss this episode if you’re planning your STR strategy for the rest of 2026.Key TakeawaysRevPAR is accelerating: U.S. RevPAR increased 7.2% in July, driven primarily by stronger ADR and supported by improving occupancy.The World Cup boosted rates, but it wasn't the whole story: Rate growth was especially strong in host cities, but gains were broad-based across the country.Supply growth is likely to remain limited: Outside World Cup host cities, supply growth was below 2% in June and July, with high mortgage rates and expensive real estate continuing to constrain new listings.Longer lead times could change pricing strategy: Travelers are increasingly booking further in advance, reversing a years-long trend toward last-minute bookings. Hosts should pay attention to pacing and adjust pricing accordingly.The outlook for unit-level performance remains strong: With occupancy trending upward, ADR growth remaining healthy, and limited new competition expected, operators could see continued gains through the remainder of 2026.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Connect with Bram on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher/—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 192

Did the FIFA World Cup live up to the hype for short-term rental hosts—or did the headlines get it wrong?After months of tracking booking trends, pricing, and occupancy across all 16 host cities, Jamie Lane sits down with AirDNA Senior Research Analyst Linda Rollins and Kansas City Short-Term Rental Alliance leader Susan Brown to separate fact from fiction. They unpack what actually happened during one of the biggest global travel events, why so many media narratives missed the mark, and what hosts can learn before the next major event comes to town.From Kansas City's massive supply surge to the reality of last-minute booking behavior, this episode dives into the numbers behind the World Cup and explains why revenue growth wasn't driven by more travelers alone. Whether you're preparing for a major sporting event, concert series, or convention, these lessons will help you make smarter pricing decisions, set realistic expectations, and build a stronger hosting business.Key Takeaways:You don't want to miss this episode!Why the World Cup became a rate-driven event rather than a demand-driven one—and what that means for host revenue.How Kansas City successfully partnered with local government, OTAs, and hosts to rapidly expand STR supply.Why many hosts underestimated the importance of pricing strategy and last-minute booking behavior.How a surge in new listings lowered occupancy even as guest demand reached record highs.Practical lessons hosts can use to prepare for future mega-events like the Olympics, World Cup, or major conventions.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 191

What is your short-term rental business really worth—and more importantly, what are buyers actually looking for right now? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, CEO of AirDNA Rohit Bezewada sits down with C2G Advisors' Managing Partner Jacobie Olin. They unpack the realities behind today’s M&A market for property managers, cutting through the noise of tech buzzwords and surface-level metrics. If you’ve ever wondered how growth, profitability, and operations translate into valuation, this conversation brings clarity where it matters most.The truth is, buyers aren’t chasing shiny tools or trendy “AI-native” claims—they’re focused on fundamentals. Clean financials, predictable revenue trends, strong margins, and a capable team still win the day. But layered on top of that are evolving deal structures, shifting expectations around growth, and a competitive landscape where demand for quality operators continues to outpace supply. Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just building with the end in mind, understanding these dynamics can shape smarter decisions today.Zooming out, they also explore where the STR industry is headed: continued consolidation at the top, rapid growth among mid-sized operators, and the role technology (including AI) may play in expanding margins—not valuations—over time. It’s a grounded, data-driven look at how to build a business that performs now and positions you for future opportunities.You don’t want to miss this episode!Key Takeaways:Clean financials matter more than anything else—buyers prioritize clarity, consistency, and reliable performance over flashy tools.Growth + profitability = premium valuations—steady portfolio expansion and strong EBITDA margins drive the most interest.Revenue mix impacts your bottom line—ancillary income (like cleaning fees) can significantly boost margins since it’s not shared with homeowners.Deal structure is just as important as price—offers with higher cash upfront and simpler terms tend to win over complex, contingency-heavy deals.AI won’t boost your valuation—yet—it only matters if it clearly improves revenue or margins in your financials.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Rohit on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-bezewada-3010b48/—————Connect with Jacobie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobieolin/—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 190

The first half of 2026 is in the books—and the latest data is telling a much stronger story than many expected. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA CEO Rohit sits down with economist Bram Gallagher to break down June’s performance, the impact of the FIFA World Cup on short-term rentals, and why existing hosts may be entering one of the strongest competitive positions they've seen in years.From record ADR gains and rising pricing power to slowing supply growth and stronger-than-expected travel demand, Bram explains why the industry's fundamentals remain healthy despite ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty. They also unpack which markets truly benefited from the World Cup, why many bookings arrived at the last minute, and what hosts should expect as the industry heads into a promising second half of 2026.Whether you're managing one property or scaling a portfolio, this episode offers practical insights into pricing strategy, market timing, and where future demand is likely to emerge. Plus, Bram shares the biggest risks he's watching—and why he's still optimistic about what's ahead.You don't want to miss this episode!Key TakeawaysEstablished hosts are gaining pricing power. AirDNA's Repeat Rent Index climbed 6.8% year over year, showing experienced operators are raising rates well above inflation thanks to reviews, repeat guests, and stronger market positioning.The FIFA World Cup delivered for hosts. Most host cities experienced meaningful demand increases and ADR growth exceeding 30%, with many bookings arriving just days before matches—reinforcing the importance of staying patient with pricing.New supply is slowing dramatically. Listing growth has fallen below 2% for the first time since the pandemic as higher mortgage rates discourage new investors, creating a more favorable environment for existing hosts.Demand is expanding beyond major cities. Smaller cities and rural destinations continue attracting travelers, proving that guests are seeking unique experiences beyond traditional urban markets.The second half of 2026 is shaping up well. Easier year-over-year comparisons, strong event calendars, healthy pricing trends, and slowing supply point toward improving occupancy and continued revenue growth for hosts.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Rohit on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-bezewada-3010b48/—————Connect with Bram on social mediaLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 189

What happens when the biggest trends shaping short-term rentals don't come from within the industry at all? In this special midyear outlook, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher unpack the economic forces influencing STR performance—from inflation and interest rates to international travel and changing consumer behavior—and explain what hosts and property managers should be watching for during the second half of 2026.While the year hasn't unfolded exactly as forecasted, the fundamentals remain encouraging. The conversation explores why occupancy has been slower than expected, why ADRs have held up better than anticipated, and how geopolitical events unexpectedly delayed the next wave of STR supply growth. Jamie and Bram also break down the booking trends they're tracking most closely, including shorter trip lengths, last-minute booking behavior, and shifting traveler confidence.The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion about why existing operators may be entering one of the strongest competitive positions they've seen in years. From luxury versus budget performance to the continued strength of larger homes, this conversation is packed with practical insights to help hosts make smarter decisions as market conditions continue to evolve.You don't want to miss this episode!In this episode, you'll learn:Why the second half of 2026 is expected to outperform the first and what easier year-over-year comparisons could mean for occupancy.How inflation, interest rates, and consumer confidence are shaping travel demand—and the economic indicators every STR operator should monitor.What changing booking behavior reveals about today's traveler, including shorter stays and continued last-minute reservations.Why existing operators continue to have an advantage, with stronger pricing power despite slower-than-expected supply growth.Which property types are winning in today's market, and why larger homes and premium experiences continue to outperform.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Jamie on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/  Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane—————Connect with Bram on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bram-gallagher/—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 188

Is now still a smart time to invest in short-term rentals—or has the opportunity already passed? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA CEO Rohit sits down with John Bianchi, better known as the Airbnb Data Guy, to unpack the data-driven framework that's helped identify more than 400 profitable STR investments. From finding resilient markets to evaluating deals and designing properties that outperform the competition, John shares the methodology he uses to separate great investments from costly mistakes.The conversation goes far beyond market selection. John explains why regulation should always come before revenue analysis, how his "20% Rule" helps quickly identify markets with cash-flow potential, and why amenities, marketing, and guest experience often matter more than the property itself. Along the way, Rohit and John explore how today's market differs from the easy-money era—and why thoughtful investors may still have a significant advantage.Whether you're buying your first vacation rental or scaling a portfolio, this episode is packed with practical insights on underwriting, property optimization, and long-term investment strategy. If you're looking to make smarter decisions with your next STR investment, this conversation offers a roadmap grounded in data—not hype.You don't want to miss this episode!Key TakeawaysStart with regulation—not revenue. Before analyzing any market, understand its STR regulations and prioritize locations with stable, well-defined rules.Use the 20% Rule as a quick filter. Compare a property's purchase price to its revenue potential to quickly determine whether a market is worth deeper analysis.Design for experiences, not bedrooms. Amenities, outdoor spaces, and memorable guest experiences consistently outperform standard listings and drive higher revenue.Marketing matters more than most hosts realize. The order of your listing photos, storytelling, and presentation can dramatically influence bookings—even before guests read a single word.Think long-term, not just this year's cash flow. Combining cash flow, appreciation, principal paydown, and tax advantages can create powerful compounding returns for investors who buy strategically.Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇https://bit.ly/4j6s6qy —————Connect with Rohit on social mediaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohit-bezewada-3010b48/—————Connect with John on social mediaLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-bianchi-245608a6/Website: https://strsearch.com/about-us—————Connect with AirDNA on social media:Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdnaTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co—————Episode 187