2025 turned out to be a landmark year for short-term rentals. Booking volumes rose, new markets opened up, and property managers pushed to capture every opportunity. But now that the momentum has built, what’s next for 2026? As you gear up for the year ahead you should expect shifts in demand, competition and guest behavior.
In the sections that follow we will walk through the big trends property managers need to watch, the revenue strategies that work and the operational risks you can’t ignore. Let’s jump into what the 2026 short-term rental market has in store.
2025 in Review: The “Booking Boom” That Set the Stage
If you worked in short-term rentals in 2025, you probably felt the surge. Demand roared back as travelers booked everything from weekend escapes to extended stays, and property managers saw revenue climb right alongside it. Average daily rates ticked higher, and by midyear, the market had found a better rhythm after the uneven recovery of 2024.
According to AirDNA, both demand and revenue were on a strong upward path through mid-2025, signaling a healthy balance between supply and occupancy. Airbnb’s own data backed it up, reporting around 134 million nights and experiences booked in Q2 2025—about a 13 percent increase from the year before.
By the time 2025 wrapped up, most analysts agreed that the market had stabilized. Occupancy rates had settled near pre-pandemic norms, giving property managers a solid foundation to build on heading into 2026.
Macro Travel Outlook for 2026
After a busy 2025 travel season, the overall pace of growth is expected to cool slightly before picking up again in 2026. The U.S. Travel Association projects a steadier recovery phase ahead, with domestic leisure and business travel both moving back toward long-term averages. Several global events, including the FIFA World Cup hosted across North America, are expected to create travel spikes that lift short-term rental demand in key cities.
Even with positive momentum, travelers are becoming more selective about how and where they spend. Surveys suggest that while most Americans still plan to travel in 2026, they are looking for better value—seeking flexible booking options, bundled experiences, and affordable stays without compromising comfort. International visitors are also expected to return in larger numbers, adding fresh demand to urban and resort markets.
For property managers, this combination of steady growth and shifting traveler expectations means 2026 will reward those who focus on pricing strategy, guest experience, and clear value communication.
Core STR Metrics: Demand, Occupancy, and ADR in 2026
After a high-energy 2025, the short-term rental market looks to be settling into a more sustainable rhythm in 2026. AirDNA projects a continued balance between supply and demand, meaning the wild swings of recent years are giving way to steadier performance. Occupancy rates are expected to see modest gains as markets normalize, while Average Daily Rates (ADR) should hold their ground with slow but positive growth.
What’s interesting is how the calendar might shift. Instead of relying solely on peak summer months, many property managers could see stronger performance during shoulder seasons. Travelers are spreading their trips more evenly throughout the year, creating fresh opportunities to boost revenue outside of traditional highs. For property managers, this evolving pattern means smarter pricing, consistent guest service, and year-round attention to market trends will matter more than ever.
Supply Growth Slows: Competition Shifts from Quantity to Quality
After several years of rapid expansion, the pace of new short-term rental listings is finally cooling off. AirDNA estimated supply growth around 4 to 5 percent in 2025, and all signs point to an even slower climb in 2026. For property managers, this signals a major turning point. Growth is no longer about how many units you manage, but how well you manage them.
Quality, service consistency, and strong reviews are becoming the real differentiators. Guests have more choices than ever, and platforms are rewarding hosts who deliver exceptional experiences with better visibility and higher rankings.
RiskWire, powered by Veros, has noted a similar trend: markets are maturing, and competition is shifting toward operational excellence and risk management. At the same time, Airbnb’s recent focus on expanding hotel inventory is reshaping the landscape, forcing property managers to compete not only with each other but also with traditional hospitality brands.
Event-Driven Spikes: FIFA World Cup 2026 (North America)
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a major moment for short-term rental markets across North America. With 16 host cities spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the event is expected to create an intense surge in lodging demand during June and July. Hotel and rental listings are already drawing attention from analysts who point to both massive opportunities and potential operational headaches for property managers.
In cities like Vancouver, early research highlights possible “lodging gaps” on match days where supply could fall short of traveler demand. At the same time, early booking data shows a mixed picture, with some host cities seeing slower reservations even nine months before kickoff. This suggests that hosts and managers will need to get proactive about pricing, packaging, and marketing if they want to make the most of what could be the biggest travel event of the decade.
Regulations: Tighter Rules and Higher Compliance Costs
If you thought 2025 brought a lot of new rules, get ready for more. Across the U.S., cities tightened short-term rental laws in an effort to manage housing shortages and neighborhood complaints. Sausalito, California, for example, introduced strict advertising bans with steep fines for unregistered rentals. In Ruidoso, New Mexico, property owners faced new permit requirements and more frequent inspections.
This wave of enforcement is not slowing down in 2026. Many local governments are re-evaluating their rental ordinances, while others are adding new taxes and safety standards. Even outside the U.S., regulators are stepping in. Sydney, Australia, is considering a 60-day annual cap on short-term stays to curb investor-driven housing demand.
For property managers, this means one thing: plan for compliance costs. Licenses, insurance, and tax filings will take a bigger bite out of budgets, so it’s smart to factor them into your 2026 forecasts.
Channel and Booking Dynamics to Watch
The way guests find and book short-term rentals is changing quickly. Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and Expedia are no longer just competing with each other, they’re reshaping how listings are discovered and ranked. Airbnb’s growing focus on hotels, for instance, could push independent hosts and property managers to work harder for visibility. That makes it essential to diversify across multiple platforms and build stronger direct-booking channels to keep control over your margins.
Booking patterns are shifting too. Travelers are making decisions closer to their travel dates, especially in budget-sensitive markets. Meanwhile, major events can trigger sharp, short-term surges that fill calendars almost overnight. Adjusting your release schedules, minimum stay requirements, and rate strategies can help you stay ahead of these swings. In 2026, being nimble and data-driven with your distribution mix will separate the winners from everyone else.
2026 Revenue Strategy Playbook (Actionable)
If 2025 was about catching the wave, 2026 will be about steering it. The market is maturing, travelers are more selective, and managers need a sharper toolkit to stay ahead. Here’s how to fine-tune your playbook for the year ahead.
- Pricing: Instead of racing to the bottom, focus on smart revenue management. For high-demand periods, use minimum-stay rules and closed-to-arrival or closed-to-departure controls to lock in longer, more profitable bookings. During slower months, add value through early check-ins, small upgrades, or local partnerships rather than cutting rates.
- Inventory: Guests continue to prize comfort and convenience. Make sure listings have strong Wi-Fi, easy parking, and spaces that work for remote professionals. Refresh your best-performing units with small but noticeable upgrades.
- Distribution: Test your listing titles, descriptions, and photos across platforms to see what performs best. Keep an eye on visibility metrics and remember that some sites are adding hotel listings that will appear right beside short-term rentals.
- Data cadence: Treat your data as a weekly habit, not a quarterly review. Track ADR, occupancy, and RevPAR against your competitive set, and use reliable market tools like AirDNA to adjust pricing before trends shift.
Ops & Risk Management for the New Normal
Running a short-term rental business in 2026 will be as much about adaptability as it is about growth. Property managers will need to stay sharp on compliance, guest experience, and event-driven operations to protect both revenue and reputation.
- Compliance: Cities are tightening rules, and that means extra time and money for permits, safety inspections, and lodging taxes. If you’re managing in multiple markets, build these costs into your operating budget early. Staying compliant isn’t just about avoiding fines; it’s about staying competitive in markets that are raising the bar for professional operators.
- Staffing & Service: Guest expectations haven’t dropped, but margins are thinner. A smaller team can still deliver standout service by streamlining tasks and using smart tools. Travelers in 2026 are likely to be more budget-conscious, so value and consistency will matter more than luxury touches.
- Event Playbooks: With the FIFA World Cup approaching, cities across North America will see unpredictable demand spikes. Create city-specific playbooks that outline traffic management, local transport tips, and staffing adjustments. Having these plans ready will keep operations running smoothly when demand surges.
The Bottom Line
The short-term rental market is entering a new phase in 2026. After the booking highs of 2025, property managers will need to focus less on chasing volume and more on optimizing operations, pricing, and guest experience. The winners will be those who plan ahead, stay compliant, and adapt quickly to shifting traveler habits and local regulations.
If you’re looking to keep your properties performing strong in this next cycle, consider partnering with RedAwning’s property management team. They help owners and managers stay ahead of market trends with smarter distribution, pricing tools, and full-service support that saves time and drives bookings. It’s the kind of partnership that turns market uncertainty into opportunity.
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