JACOB MERRITT
Jacob writes for the operator in the field — the host managing multiple properties, the investor scaling a portfolio, the manager navigating platform rules — with reporting that stays practical, specific, and grounded in how decisions play out at the property level. He owned and operated STR properties for years before deciding it was more interesting to write about them.
Scotland named the UK’s top short-term rental market of 2026
Edinburgh ranks first among all UK cities for short-term rental performance, citing strong occupancy and demand fundamentals.
Jun 10, 2026Jeff Bezos says Airbnb isn’t driving high rents as NYC ban fails to lower housing costs
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos just handed the short-term rental industry its most high-profile endorsement in years.
Jun 7, 2026Guesty’s Agent Hub makes AI the property manager
Guesty's new Agent Hub positions autonomous AI agents to run pricing, communications, finance, and reviews for STR operators at scale.
Jun 7, 2026Tiny homes are leading Airbnb wishlists in Australia
Guest demand for small-footprint, off-grid properties surged on Airbnb's 2026 Most Wishlisted data, signaling a shift toward experiential stays over traditional rentals.
Jun 6, 2026Michigan Airbnb shooting kills one at after-prom party
A Hazel Park, Michigan Airbnb rented for an after-prom party turned deadly early Friday, exposing the liability every STR host faces when guests use a booking to mask an unauthorized…
Jun 4, 2026Seoul Korea recruits stay-at-home moms to help power Airbnb boom
South Korea eyes a record 19 million inbound tourists this year, and Seoul is betting that training stay-at-home mothers as Airbnb hosts can solve two problems at once.
Jun 4, 2026Home exchange platforms are starting to compete for Airbnb’s best guests
Travelers fed up with Airbnb fees and cookie-cutter listings are turning to home exchange platforms — a demand shift that STR operators can no longer afford to ignore.
Jun 1, 2026Global short-term rental market hit $149 billion in 2025
Long-stay rentals are now the fastest-growing segment as remote work and workcations reshape demand patterns through 2033.
Jun 1, 2026Kansas City ranks as most expensive World Cup Airbnb host city
A new study ranks all 16 FIFA World Cup host cities by Airbnb nightly rates — and the spread is stark. STR operators need to know where demand is concentrated…
Jun 1, 2026The new short-term rental flex is a professionally designed property
Bee Setups doubled revenue in one year as operators turn to professional design to compete in a tighter rental market.
Jun 1, 2026Louisiana man gets 30 years for Airbnb party shooting
A New Orleans judge sentenced the gunman in a 2022 holiday party massacre at an Airbnb to 30 years — a case that puts STR liability and party-rental risks back…
May 30, 2026Airbnb hosts averaged $15,600 in 2025 income
Platform's economic report sets new benchmark for evaluating property performance and pitching supplemental income to prospective operators ahead of World Cup 2026.
May 29, 2026San Francisco Airbnb host seeks $12K after startup allegedly used rental for robot testing
A robotics startup led by a former Cruise executive allegedly turned a short-term rental into an undisclosed testing lab, leaving the host with significant property damage.
May 29, 2026Airbnb quietly tests hotel bookings as travel strategy shifts
Airbnb has officially added boutique hotels to its platform, ending nearly two decades of positioning itself as the anti-hotel. STR operators now share supply space with traditional lodging.
May 28, 2026Airbnb taps NHL star for World Cup promo
The platform is using celebrity partnerships to drive bookings in Toronto during the 2026 FIFA tournament, offering free stays and VIP experiences to capitalize on major sporting events.
May 28, 2026Philadelphia targets Airbnbs with 6 percent tax hike
Mayor Parker's revised budget would push short-term rental taxes to 21.5 percent — six percentage points higher than hotels — to fund homeless shelters.
May 28, 2026Cloudbeds’ new AI tool lets hospitality operators ask plain-language questions about revenue, guest, and booking data across their properties
New conversational interface targets hotel operators who need faster access to revenue, guest, and operational insights without pulling manual reports.
May 28, 2026Airbnb launches Mexico City World Cup exhibition
Platform partners with FIFA and Mexico City to open free museum and Hugo Sánchez experience ahead of June kickoff.
May 27, 2026UK town braces for Universal Studios STR surge
Bedford community signals resistance to short-term rental influx before Universal's theme park opens, potentially triggering preemptive regulatory restrictions.
May 26, 2026Nashville residents push back on short-term rental permit rules ahead of Super Bowl 2030
With the 2030 Super Bowl coming, Nashville homeowners want temporary permit exceptions to capture event revenue, but city officials cite neighborhood stability concerns.
May 25, 2026Airbnb partners with Puerto Rico agencies on water safety
Platform launches bilingual water safety initiative with local government agencies targeting hosts and guests in a market with significant beach and coastal rental activity.
May 25, 2026Short-term rental gold rush fades as data-driven buyers take over
The short-term rental market has shifted from speculative boom to strategic phase where operators must focus on data-driven property selection and operational efficiency to survive.
May 24, 2026Canadian study targets STR impact in rural markets
New research examines how short-term rentals affect housing availability and community dynamics in rural Canada, adding to international concerns about STR saturation beyond cities.
May 23, 2026Australian sees STRs outnumber rentals 15-1
Western Australia advocacy group pushes for targeted bans after research found unhosted short-term rentals have pushed available long-term housing to crisis levels in regional markets.
May 23, 2026Greece sees summer short-term rental demand surge despite price increases
Mediterranean market posts 9.3% demand growth for summer 2026 while commanding Europe's highest seasonal price premium at 55% above off-peak rates.
May 21, 2026Cleveland City Council advances STR regulation after six years
Cleveland City Council is advancing short-term rental regulations after years of stalled attempts, with lawmakers saying the city currently has no formal rules for Airbnb and Vrbo-style rentals. The proposal…
May 20, 2026France launches new national short-term rental registration system
Operators face $22,000 in fines for false declarations under new portal that brings France's scattered STR regulation under one national ruling.
May 20, 2026Airbnb faces housing scrutiny from Washington lawmakers
Policymakers are tying short-term rental growth to eviction rates and housing scarcity in major markets, adding regulatory risk to platform valuations.
May 19, 2026Vrbo sponsors Arizona bowl game fan fest
The vacation rental platform is putting its brand behind a college football pregame concert, a signal of how STR operators see sports tourism as a growth driver.
May 19, 20267 insurance gaps that leave most STR owners exposed
Standard policies miss critical STR coverage areas during audits, leaving operators vulnerable to claims that could wipe out profits or trigger personal liability.
May 18, 2026America’s hottest neighborhoods point to a bigger STR shift, according to a new study
Land O'Lakes near Tampa saw home sales jump 36% and listing views nearly double, while Midwest affordability drives broader buyer migration.
May 18, 2026Standard home insurance won’t cover World Cup rentals
Many operators planning to capitalize on FIFA 2026 demand don't realize their existing homeowners policy excludes short-term rental activity entirely.
May 15, 2026Early Houston World Cup demand is lower than expected
Hotel bookings in Houston remain flat despite hosting five World Cup matches, raising questions about whether short-term rentals are capturing the windfall instead.
May 14, 2026South Korea’s tiny budget rooms are becoming short-term rentals for tourists
Tiny rooms built for exam-cramming students are now pulling budget-conscious travelers and visa workers looking for deposit-free stays.
May 13, 2026Airbnb guest shocked to find 11 cameras in short-term rental
A tech writer discovered 11 hidden cameras by scrolling through TV channels. The incident shows enforcement of Airbnb's indoor camera ban depends entirely on guest vigilance.
May 11, 2026Texas Airbnb party ends with 25 citations
Police cited 25 minors for underage drinking at a McAllen short-term rental after responding to reports of a party with roughly 30 attendees. The citations...
May 11, 2026