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When revenue and commercial leaders in the vacation rental sector simply glance at reports showing contribution margins across distribution channels, they are likely seeing the “voice” channel continue to lose ground to “website direct” and “OTA/third party.” Yet when you microscope the metrics, the story is actually quite different. In working with over 200 VR/STR clients in recent years, I have had a chance to put the magnifying glass on what’s really happening with the voice channel.

Revenue strategy always starts with a plan, but the market does not always follow it. A major event may not pace the way it did last year, certain property types may start falling behind, owners may get nervous about open dates, and new channel updates can quickly add more complexity to an already busy season.

In this episode of STR Global Unlocked, I speak with Shaun Shirazian, CEO of Lodgify, about one of the biggest shifts happening in short-term rentals and hospitality: the rise of AI search, direct bookings, and the future of guest experience. Shaun shares what Lodgify is seeing across more than 30,000 hosts and 100,000 listings, why the short-term rental market has become more competitive, and why the old price advantage over hotels is disappearing.

What does it take to survive—and thrive—through 15 years of nonstop change in the short-term rental industry? In this episode of The STR Data Lab, AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Brian Egan, Co-Founder and CEO of Evolve, to unpack the evolution of one of the industry’s earliest and most influential companies.

The conversation is with Sally Henry, Vice President of Global Market Intelligence and Insights for KeyData covers a wide range of topics related to vacation rental management and market intelligence. Sally shares insights on data trends, property management strategies, and the importance of understanding success in the industry. She also discusses the impact of external factors on the vacation rental market and the need for property managers to be agile and data-driven.

Technification, defined as the application of technology-based systems to a specific industry was first used in the 1930s, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, but it feels more relevant than ever in today’s business world. This is especially true in the vacation rental and STR side of the accommodations industry. Agentic AI, LLM’s, chatbots, and humanoid robots are grabbing headlines and commanding more of leadership’s attention.

Property managers have their hands full with attracting, closing, launching, and retaining properties. As a seamless partner to several property managers over multiple markets, my firm provides invaluable support materials, systems, and solutions to facilitate their sales and management processes. Our combined intention is to create and launch boutique hospitality-level properties that perform the highest revenue projections.

After a slow and uneven start to the year, short-term rental performance is finally showing signs of life. In this episode of The STR Data Lab, Jamie Lane and Bram Gallagher break down the latest data—and what it really means for hosts, property managers, and investors navigating today’s shifting travel landscape. From the first occupancy gains in nearly a year to surprising demand patterns across luxury and budget listings, the signals are getting clearer… but not simpler.

By Amber Knight, General Manager, BookingsCloud Revenue is one of the most closely watched metrics in the short-term rental industry. Most operators can quickly identify how much revenue they currently have on the books and whether they are pacing ahead of or behind prior-year performance. However, far fewer can answer a question that may be even more important: How much revenue is still realistically available before the booking window closes?

SANTA ROSA BEACH, Fla. — June 16, 2026 — Short-term rental analytics company KeyData has appointed Scott McLeod as president, marking a key leadership transition as the company continues to expand its product offerings and market presence. McLeod has served as KeyData’s chief operating officer since 2018 and brings more than eight years of experience within the organization.