What happens when supply finally stabilizes, demand shifts gears, and the global economy refuses to follow the script? In this year-end Outlook episode, AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane sits down with Bram Gallagher to break down what actually happened in 2025 — and what STR hosts and property managers should prepare for in 2026.

Together, they revisit last year’s predictions on supply growth, occupancy, and pricing, grading where the industry hit the mark (and where reality surprised us). The conversation then looks forward, unpacking how macroeconomic forces — from inflation and interest rates to housing affordability and global travel trends — are shaping the next phase of the short-term rental market.

The takeaway? 2026 may not be a breakout year, but it’s a pivotal one. With supply re-accelerating, demand patterns evolving, and events like the World Cup looming large, this episode offers a grounded, data-backed roadmap for navigating what’s ahead — especially for operators who are thinking strategically rather than reactively.

You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways for STR Hosts & Operators

• Supply has bottomed — and it’s coming back. After slowing sharply in 2025, supply is expected to re-accelerate in 2026, especially in resort and suburban markets.

• Occupancy may soften slightly before rebounding. Supply could outpace demand in the short term, leading to modest occupancy pressure before conditions rebalance in 2027.

• Pricing power remains limited but stable. ADR growth should improve modestly, though most existing listings will need to hold rates steady rather than push aggressive increases.

• International demand is an X-factor. The 2026 World Cup could drive record inbound travel — but policy and sentiment will play a major role in how big that impact is.

• Experienced operators have the advantage. The next wave of supply growth is likely driven by more professional, intentional investors — raising the bar for performance and operations.

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https://bit.ly/413X3Ut

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

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Connect with Scott on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 162

The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be one of the biggest short-term rental demand events in history—bigger than the Super Bowl, bigger than Taylor Swift tours, and long enough to make or break an entire revenue year. In this episode, Jamie Lane sits down with revenue strategist and Happy Guest founder Rebecca Ballart, who has personally priced more than 10,000 listings worldwide, to help hosts understand what to expect… and how not to leave thousands of dollars on the table.

Rebecca breaks down why mega-events behave nothing like peak season, how booking windows warp under immense hype, and why the “right” price can’t be pulled from comps or pricing tools alone. This conversation is filled with practical guidance for hosts in every 2026 host city—especially those looking at early booking spikes and wondering, “Am I priced too low… or way too high?”

They also walk through real-world examples, from massive wins at Hangout Fest to the hard realities when an event is suddenly canceled. Rebecca shares what operators can monitor between now and kickoff, how to think about length-of-stay strategy, when to adjust, and why the smartest revenue managers mix tools with human intuition—not one or the other.

If you’re hosting anywhere near a World Cup stadium, you can’t afford to miss this episode.

Key Takeaways

• Mega-events don’t follow normal demand patterns. Expect sudden booking rushes, long periods of quiet, and another surge as the event approaches.

• Length of stay is a powerful lever. Shorter stays + higher nightly rates often outperform long minimums during multi-week events.

• Inventory size dictates upside. Large homes can safely aim higher, while 1–2 bedroom units compete directly with hotels and must price accordingly.

• Use pricing tools—but don’t outsource your thinking. Algorithms can miss nuance; human oversight catches opportunities and prevents painful mistakes.

• Set guardrails before cancellations hit. Minimum event rates and watchful monitoring protect you from losing revenue when fans shift cities or plans change.

Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇

https://bit.ly/4muz61v

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

—————

Connect with Scott on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

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Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 161

The short-term rental market is entering a new phase — one where stability, not volatility, is driving the biggest changes. In this fireside chat from the Data & Revenue Management Conference, Jamie Lane joins Simon Lehmann and Pedro Borges to break down the real signals behind 2025’s “steady state” and what it means for hosts and managers heading into 2026. This isn’t a hype-filled projection; it’s a data-backed look at supply slowdowns, shifting guest behavior, and how professionalization continues to reshape the competitive landscape.

From the K-shaped performance split between luxury and mid-market listings to the growing influence of OTA ranking systems, the conversation highlights why outperforming your market now depends less on macro tailwinds — and more on operational sharpness. Jamie and Pedro dig into pricing challenges, the emerging STR-to-midterm pivot in major cities, and how rising owner expenses like taxes and insurance are reshaping what “profitability” even means. If you want a grounded, unfiltered view of where the industry is actually heading, this episode delivers it.

For STR operators planning their next move, this is essential listening. You don’t want to miss this episode!

Key Takeaways

• Stability requires strategy: With occupancy flat and supply growth at historic lows, 2025–2026 will be a competition for share, not an automatic lift.

• Quality gaps matter: Listings with sub-4.7 ratings are shrinking fastest as OTAs elevate top-tier properties and push weaker performers to page two and beyond.

• Profitability is the real KPI: Rising insurance and property taxes mean managers must understand — and communicate — homeowner-level financial realities.

• Luxury grows, mid-market squeezes: The K-shaped recovery continues, rewarding high-end supply while challenging budget and mid-tier operators.

• Midterm strategies surge: Regulatory pressure and seasonality are accelerating the blend of STR and midterm stays, especially in cities like NYC, Denver, and LA.

Sign up for AirDNA for FREE 👇

https://bit.ly/45KslCy

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Connect with Jamie on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiehlane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jamie_Lane

—————

Connect with Scott on social media

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sagescott

—————

Connect with AirDNA on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/airdna.co

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/airdna/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/airdna

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@airdna.co

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Episode 160