Download Hospitable's 2026 Industry Report
New industry research reveals how short-term rental hosts, co-hosts, and property managers are adapting as competition intensifies.
New industry research reveals how short-term rental hosts, co-hosts, and property managers are adapting as competition intensifies.
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About the report
This report presents exclusive findings from our recent survey of short-term rental hosts, uncovering how they are adapting to industry shifts while maintaining control over their businesses. With Hospitable offering solutions for self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers, the report also explores strategies for how hosts of all sizes can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. The 2026 Hospitable Industry Report shares short-term rental data and insights from a November 2025 survey of 554 hosts across management styles - self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers - showing how operators are adapting to rising costs, shifting demand, and a more competitive STR landscape. Use this report to benchmark what’s changing, what’s working, and where hosts are focusing in 2026.
About the report
This report presents exclusive findings from our recent survey of short-term rental hosts, uncovering how they are adapting to industry shifts while maintaining control over their businesses. With Hospitable offering solutions for self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers, the report also explores strategies for how hosts of all sizes can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. The 2026 Hospitable Industry Report shares short-term rental data and insights from a November 2025 survey of 554 hosts across management styles - self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers - showing how operators are adapting to rising costs, shifting demand, and a more competitive STR landscape. Use this report to benchmark what’s changing, what’s working, and where hosts are focusing in 2026.
About the report
This report presents exclusive findings from our recent survey of short-term rental hosts, uncovering how they are adapting to industry shifts while maintaining control over their businesses. With Hospitable offering solutions for self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers, the report also explores strategies for how hosts of all sizes can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. The 2026 Hospitable Industry Report shares short-term rental data and insights from a November 2025 survey of 554 hosts across management styles - self-managers, co-hosts, and property managers - showing how operators are adapting to rising costs, shifting demand, and a more competitive STR landscape. Use this report to benchmark what’s changing, what’s working, and where hosts are focusing in 2026.
Nearly half of hosts and property managers, say increased competition in their local market impacted their business in 2025.
The short-term rental market is entering a tougher, more competitive phase.
That’s enough messages to personally
say g'day to everyone in Australia.
Key takeaways
Key takeaways
Key takeaways
Choosing the top property management software is increasingly about more than channel management. It’s about building an operating system for hosting. In the survey, 89.9% of respondents said property management software is an essential tool, alongside dynamic pricing tools (71.3%) and smart locks (48.9%). If you’re comparing STR tools, this report shows what hosts consider “must-have” to stay competitive. Automation and AI are no longer “nice to have”, they’re central to performance. Nearly one-quarter (24.7%) of hosts say smarter automation and AI will be the biggest industry trend in 2026, and 97.7% say technology plays an important role in staying competitive. The report also details where hosts are using AI today, especially guest communication (80.9%) and pricing decisions (62.6%), and how time savings are shaping day-to-day operations.
Choosing the top property management software is increasingly about more than channel management. It’s about building an operating system for hosting. In the survey, 89.9% of respondents said property management software is an essential tool, alongside dynamic pricing tools (71.3%) and smart locks (48.9%). If you’re comparing STR tools, this report shows what hosts consider “must-have” to stay competitive. Automation and AI are no longer “nice to have”, they’re central to performance. Nearly one-quarter (24.7%) of hosts say smarter automation and AI will be the biggest industry trend in 2026, and 97.7% say technology plays an important role in staying competitive. The report also details where hosts are using AI today, especially guest communication (80.9%) and pricing decisions (62.6%), and how time savings are shaping day-to-day operations.
Choosing the top property management software is increasingly about more than channel management. It’s about building an operating system for hosting. In the survey, 89.9% of respondents said property management software is an essential tool, alongside dynamic pricing tools (71.3%) and smart locks (48.9%). If you’re comparing STR tools, this report shows what hosts consider “must-have” to stay competitive. Automation and AI are no longer “nice to have”, they’re central to performance. Nearly one-quarter (24.7%) of hosts say smarter automation and AI will be the biggest industry trend in 2026, and 97.7% say technology plays an important role in staying competitive. The report also details where hosts are using AI today, especially guest communication (80.9%) and pricing decisions (62.6%), and how time savings are shaping day-to-day operations.
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