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We are always a bit wary about how much effort to put in to OTA's websites. Effectively doing their work for them.

Meet Tony Goebel, founder and CEO of DoorCo Vacations, a Wisconsin-based vacation rental company built on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. Tony and his wife, Cara, started with a single lake home, which they poured their hearts into renovating and sharing with others. Today, they have transformed that passion into a growing portfolio of unique properties across their home state of Wisconsin.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Before DoorCo Vacations, I founded and built 5G Benefits and Insurance, one of Wisconsin’s fastest-growing insurance agencies. Over the years, I’ve worked with thousands of clients and business owners across the Midwest, helping them protect and grow what matters most. DoorCo Vacations started as a passion project. One lake home that my wife and I poured our hearts into renovating and sharing with others. What began as a weekend hobby quickly turned into a company built on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. For over a year, it was just my wife and me. Today, DoorCo has a team of 7 full-time employees and a growing portfolio of unique properties across Wisconsin, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve built.

What is your background?

My background is in marketing & insurance and benefits, which taught me everything I know about systems, service, and relationships. The transition into hospitality came naturally. It allowed me to blend my business mindset with my love for Wisconsin, real estate, and creating great experiences for people.

Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later?

I’m proud to be from Wisconsin. I was born and raised here, and I’ve always had a deep connection to the lakes, small towns, and family traditions that make this state special. When I started investing in vacation properties, it was important to me to stay local and to build something that supported our communities while sharing the beauty of Wisconsin with visitors from around the country.

What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?

I love building things. Not just properties, but experiences, teams, and systems. The vacation rental business gives me the opportunity to do all of that at once. It’s incredibly rewarding to see families, wedding groups, and corporate teams enjoying time together in spaces we’ve worked hard to create. I also love seeing our team grow; watching people find purpose, pride, and creativity in what we do.

What do you dislike the most about it?

Like any fast-growing business, the hardest part is managing scale while maintaining quality. Every property and every guest matters to us, and as we grow, keeping that personal touch takes constant focus and effort. But that’s also what sets us apart. We never want to lose the family-owned, hands-on feel that built our reputation in the first place.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez is our operational hub. It’s where everything connects. We use it to manage reservations, track finances, automate guest communication, and streamline workflows for our team and vendors. With so many moving parts across multiple teams, OwnerRez gives us the structure we need to stay efficient without losing the personal touch our guests appreciate.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

Automation, hands down. The ability to create custom triggers, tailored messaging, and consistent communication across all our properties is invaluable. We’ve built our internal systems around OwnerRez because it scales with us. It allows us to manage 20+ properties with the same level of care and attention we had when we managed one.

From a single lake home to a growing portfolio of unique properties across Wisconsin, Tony and Cara Goebel have truly built DoorCo Vacations on family values, quality craftsmanship, and genuine hospitality. With OwnerRez helping them run their day-to-day operations, we’re excited to see their continued success as they share the beauty of Wisconsin and deliver personal touches to every stay.

We are excited to share our latest integration with HiChee, giving OwnerRez users seamless access to a powerful vacation rental price comparison platform that helps travelers find the best deals and gives hosts a simple way to attract more direct bookings. 

About HiChee

HiChee is a vacation rental price comparison platform that helps travelers find the best deals across Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo, and direct host listings. The platform also empowers hosts with a low-effort, low-risk way to attract direct inquiries and reduce reliance on OTAs. With over 13 million listings indexed, HiChee connects guests and hosts in a fairer, more transparent marketplace.

Pricing

Currently free. Verified OwnerRez hosts also receive HiChee’s Traveler Plan (currently $80/year) at no cost. Reasons to verify:

1. Accurate pricing (most important). Instead of showing estimates, they show the exact prices.
2. Accurate calendars
3. Accurate book direct links
4. Accurate matching to Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking
5. Featured placement to travelers

Hey Howdy Hangout,

It's working for me, though I do have to sign into Crowdcast to get the replay. If you're still having trouble, please write to us at help@ownerrez.com and we can take a closer look!

I can't get this link to work

I had a call with them to discuss. I was interested in the idea. However the pricing was not as advertised, and the actual service seemed rudimentary, something that i can do myself, for example develop seasonal listing descriptions and adjust captions on pics monthly. The notion that their software scrapes AIRBNB inquiries and they can use that data to have AI re-do listing descriptions weekly is info i know and work that can be done by an intern. I have 9 properties, maybe this service makes sense on a larger portfolio. I would be interested to see feedback from OR users to see if it works as advertised. 

This week’s roundup covers Hilton Head’s updated short-term rental rules, Formula 1 driving a massive increase in rates, Booking.com’s top travel trends for 2026, and new developments in Maui’s vacation rental phase-out. Let’s dive in.

Hilton Head, South Carolina, leaders have reached an agreement on updates to short-term rental rules, though final approval is still pending. The proposed changes include a new requirement for third-party monitoring of fire alarm systems in larger homes, a limit of six exterior parking spaces, the removal of earlier plans for occupancy caps, and more. The rejection of an occupancy limit after much public discussion is a major win for short-term rental operators. These updates are expected to take effect on May 1st, 2026, if approved, giving hosts time to prepare. If you rent in Hilton Head, now’s a good moment to review your property’s fire safety measures, parking arrangements, and make sure your listings align with the new proposed guidelines.

The Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas, this weekend drove a sharp increase in short-term rental prices, with Airbnb rates up 84 percent compared to the weekend before the event. According to Vegas Insider, average nightly rates rose from about $423 to $780 during the F1 weekend. This highlights the importance of setting up seasonal rates or utilizing spot rates within OwnerRez. Planning for major events in your area can help you stay competitive and capture more revenue when demand is at its peak.

Booking.com has released the 10th edition of its annual travel predictions, highlighting a major shift toward highly personalized travel in 2026. Based on feedback from over 29,000 travelers across 33 countries and territories, the report outlines ten trends showing that travelers are increasingly seeking trips that reflect their personalities, unique preferences, and close relationships. Highlighted trends include tech-forward “Humanoid Homes,” astrology-influenced “Destined-ations,” and “Glow-cations” focused on skincare and wellness. Travelers are also showing interest in relationship-testing getaways, shared road trips, nostalgic travel based on past memories, and trips tied to personal milestones.

James Waters, Chief Business Officer at Booking.com, wrote, "In 2026, travel is becoming a reflection of who people truly are, with journeys built around interests that perhaps in the past felt too niche or bold to explore. Travelers are stress-testing relationships, stepping into fantasy worlds, turning their kitchens into reflections of their journeys, and looking at new ways to experience road trips and vacation rentals with enhanced technology features." 

For short-term rental operators, the key takeaway is to consider how your marketing appeals to the new audience entering the marketplace. Highlighting features of your property that align with these trends, whether through photos, listing descriptions, or amenities, could help increase visibility and demand heading into 2026.

In continued coverage of Maui County’s vacation rental phase-out, previously reported in Industry News on June 6th, June 13th, July 4th, August 1st, and August 29th, new recommendations from a County Council investigative group could allow thousands of rentals to remain. The temporary investigative group was formed after the council voted to advance Bill 9. Their role was to assess the social and economic impacts of the legislation, identify apartment-zoned properties that should continue operating as vacation rentals, and suggest improvements to the zoning change process. The group proposed a hotel zoning designation for over 50 buildings on the “Minatoya List,” potentially sparing about 4,500 units. They also recommended that vacation rentals in apartment districts on Molokai not be phased out, regardless of what happens on Maui. The public was invited to weigh in on these proposals this week. The bill still plans to move forward with a phase-out of many rentals starting in West Maui in 2028 and across the rest of the county by 2030. With legal challenges likely, the future of Maui’s vacation rental market remains uncertain.

As we quickly approach 2026, new trends, rules, and events will continue to shape the vacation rental market. Check back next week for the latest updates!

That’s company #25 that’s related same services last couple of years :)

Meet Susan Townsend, founder of Mountainside Treasures. Since 2005, she’s grown her business from a single condo at Jay Peak to nearly 30 properties across Vermont and Utah, giving her guests the opportunity to experience the joy of getting into the mountains.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I started renting my own property in 2005 when I fell in love with Jay Peak in Vermont and had the opportunity to buy a slope side condo there. After a divorce in 2013, I realized that I could help other people by doing what was already easy for me. Starting small, everything was relatively manageable, however I quickly realized that I needed some help.

That’s when I started looking at PM systems and found OwnerRez. My business grew quickly, gaining 2-3 units per year, all by word of mouth. Service really is the key factor, and it’s often missing for homeowners and guests alike. Now I manage close to 30 properties in both Park City, UT, and Jay Peak, VT.

What is your background?

Although born in the USA, I am British and grew up in Scotland. Living in Scotland, my family traveled to ski most weekends, staying in a friend’s caravan, waking with ice on the insides of the windows! We skied in all weathers, and so coming to the USA and exploring the mountain resorts here has been a dream. I relish those early memories and the bonds developed on those weekends away and am happy to be creating opportunities for others to do the same, albeit in a more luxury setting!

Were you always in VR or property management, or is this a 2nd/3rd career?

I studied Molecular Biology and then ended up working for 20 years in marketing for Unilever. I came to the USA and spent 7 years as a stay at home Mum for four kids before getting a divorce and needing to re-evaluate!

Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later?

I am not ‘from’ either of my locations. I was born in Boston, but grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and then worked in London, England for many years. I did spend some time in NY, commuting to Jay Peak, VT every weekend to ski, so I know the area very well, even though I do not live there. I now live in Park City, UT, which is where the bulk of my inventory is located.

If later, what drew you to that area?

The mountains make me feel at peace, so yes, I’d say the mountains drew me to the West. Salt Lake is an amazing city, with some of the best mountains in the world and a truly accessible airport. Before we moved here, we spent a couple of vacations in the area.

My four kids were already accomplished skiers, and the oldest was chasing medals in VT. She was excited to experience a life closer to the mountains, but it is actually my son, the youngest who grew up with the mountains as his babysitter, and is now on the US Freeski Team chasing dreams of his own.

What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?

There are many things that I love, but first and foremost, I think you have to love the belief that you are creating something wonderful for other people to enjoy. I have many beautiful properties in my portfolio, and I also have some much smaller, more modest places; however, I work hard to ensure they all deliver a wonderful opportunity for people on different budgets to experience the joy of getting into the mountains. I thrive on delivering a flawless experience, knowing that my team and I went the extra mile to ensure that the guest's trip was everything they hoped for.

What do you dislike the most about it?

It is hard not to get demoralized when we get particularly unpleasant guests. Luckily that doesn’t happen very often. On occasion guests have reason to be upset, then I take full responsibility and use the experience to learn and be better in the future, but if they pick bones about something out of my control (the weather was bad, or flight was delayed) and then review their stay poorly, it feels unfair and as property managers we are pretty powerless.

Equally, in the rare occasion that they cause damage and unacceptable cleaning, it is remarkably hard to get fair reparations. I guess it’s the feeling that it’s an uphill battle against the giants of the industry. I feel frustrated that the platforms take almost as much commission as the property manager gets, and they control so much.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez is crucial to how I run my business. I know that I use a fraction of the capability, and sometimes I wish the guys at OwnerRez would focus on maintaining and improving what they have rather than adding more, but I understand that other users are going far and above what I do. OwnerRez is the central point for all my listings. I keep a simple channel portfolio, and the direct booking site that they provide, mainly because I want the two key platforms to perform well. I fear that if I dilute the bookings across more platforms, none will perform as well. I also use OwnerRez for all my owner statements etc.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

I don't think I can name one. My four pillars that I couldn’t do without are:

1. Property data (a central place to build a listing that knows and tracks all the rules, etc)
2. Calendar (one central place, ability to block off and quote from there)
3. Owner management (statement, expense creation, and tracking)
4. Guest management (being able to send all the communications, etc to guests, with custom field definitions)

With a focus on going the extra mile for every guest, Susan has built a thriving business. We look forward to seeing her continued success as she helps more people enjoy the mountains.

At Getaway Properties AZ, Lori Baker has built a business around the belief that every getaway should tell a story. Managing 17 short-term rentals for other owners and several of her own, Lori’s mission is to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. From the desert to the pines, her homes offer a true home away from home, where every detail invites guests to unwind and experience Arizona’s natural beauty.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I was raised in a small town in Arizona and now live on the outskirts of the city. My spouse and I purchased our first long-term rental in 2003. Many years, a few moves, and a few more purchases later, we turned our casita into our first short-term rental. From there, we bought a small one-bedroom cabin in my hometown, which quickly became a guest favorite. That growth eventually led to our real estate broker asking if we’d be interested in purchasing his short-term rental management business. We took the leap, and today we own GPAZ, LLC dba Getaway Properties AZ, where we manage 17 short-term rentals for other owners in addition to our own three long-term rentals and two personal STRs.

What is your background?

First and foremost, I’m a wife, a mother to three, and a grandma to the best three littles. For many years, I was a stay-at-home mom while working various jobs from home, everything from daycare to data entry. During tax season, I worked as a tax preparer.

As my kids grew into their teens, I earned my real estate license and began working for a company that sold homes to investors while also managing long-term rentals. Later, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked in a school nurse’s office before transitioning to a pediatric hospital. I’ve now been with that hospital for nearly 15 years, working in both admitting and the pediatric emergency department.

Throughout those years, I continued helping buyers and sellers in real estate and assisted my husband with managing our rental properties. Eventually, that experience, combined with our passion for hospitality, led us to open our homes on Airbnb, manage additional properties through Getaway Properties AZ, and ultimately purchase the company ourselves.

Are you from the geographical area where your properties are located, or did you move there later? If later, what drew you to that area?

Yes, I’m originally from Arizona. I currently live about three hours away from the mountain areas where most of our properties are located. I actually grew up about 45 minutes from that area, so the mountains have always felt like home to me. I’ve always loved the fresh air, tall pines, and slower pace of mountain life; it’s the perfect escape from the desert heat and city hustle.

What do you love the most about the vacation rental business?

I love being a part of creating lifelong memories for guests. Knowing that families, couples, and friends are celebrating milestones, reconnecting, or simply finding peace in one of our homes is incredibly rewarding. It’s about more than a place to stay; it’s about providing a space that feels like home and helps people unwind from the stress of everyday life.

What do you dislike the most about it?

It can be challenging when guests ask us to bend rules that are clearly outlined in the listing, especially when it comes to bringing pets to no-pet properties or requesting steep discounts during peak or holiday seasons. We always strive to be kind and accommodating, but we also have to protect the property and maintain fairness to owners and other guests.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez allows us to manage all of our properties from one central system, everything from pricing and calendar control to guest messaging and reporting. It’s incredibly efficient and helps us stay organized while managing multiple owners, properties, and guests.

What is the most useful feature OwnerRez offers?

I love the automation and messaging features, which save so much time and help ensure consistency across all of our listings. But my favorite feature is definitely Rezzy AI, and I can’t wait until the full system is live! The idea that it can handle guest inquiries automatically is a huge game-changer for busy managers like us.

From a single casita to managing 17 vacation rentals, Lori Baker has built Getaway Properties AZ around a clear mission to craft spaces that inspire connection, relaxation, and unforgettable memories. With OwnerRez supporting her business, we look forward to seeing her continued success as she helps guests feel right at home across her home state of Arizona.

Ruslan, founder of Away2PA, has built a thriving vacation rental business in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains through patience and determination. What started as a complete unknown has grown to 10 properties and given her the freedom to step away from corporate life.

Can you tell us a little bit about your history?

I came to the U.S. from Russia twenty years ago. I ended up at SUNY Oneonta and graduated in 2006 with a degree in Business and Economics. Like a lot of people who come here, I started from scratch, moving jobs, doing kitchen work, even Burger King for a bit, just trying to figure things out and get my first "real" job.

Were you always in vacation rentals or property management, or is this a second or third career?

Definitely a second career. Eventually, I got into finance and landed on Wall Street, which was a big shift from where I started. I spent over a decade in that world, working in New York, London, and Montenegro. I was still in finance when I got pulled into short-term rentals. A friend of mine had a few properties up in the Pocono Mountains and convinced me to give it a try. Getting that first property wasn’t easy. I fought with the mortgage process and tried to find a perfect first investment for almost a year, but once it was listed, it pulled in about forty grand in the first six months. That kind of result makes you pay attention.

So I leaned into it. I started buying more places, renovating, figuring out what worked, and slowly building a portfolio. It wasn’t fast or glamorous, but it was real. Over time, I realized I was putting more energy into this than my actual job, so I made the switch.

If it’s a later career, what did you do before?

Before short-term rentals, I was in finance for about thirteen years, trading, analyzing, the whole thing. I learned a lot about money management and risk, but I also learned that corporate life just wasn’t for me long-term. I wanted something that was mine, where the results, good or bad, were on me. I was thinking of it as a strategic game with real dollar results.

What do you love about vacation rentals, and what are the challenges?

What I love most is the freedom. I don’t have a boss or a commute. I like the creativity that comes with it too. Every property is a chance to do something different, whether it’s a renovation or a brand-new build. Over time, I’ve gone from fixer-uppers to full-on custom homes, places with indoor pools, movie theaters, water features (rivers, streams, ponds).

The challenges are definitely the regulations. Zoning laws change constantly, and that can really throw you off. There’ve been times when I had to sell properties just because the local rules shifted. And like most hosts, I’ve had my share of frustration with big platforms; they’re essential, but they don’t always treat hosts as partners. Still, that’s part of the business. You adapt, keep building, and move forward.

How do you use OwnerRez to manage your business?

OwnerRez is the backbone of how I run things now. When you’ve got multiple properties and a team involved, you need something that keeps all the moving parts in sync, pricing, messages, team access, all of it. What I like about OwnerRez is that it’s built for real operators, not just casual hosts. It’s flexible, reliable, and it gives me the control I need to manage everything without getting buried in spreadsheets or manual updates. It took me 6 months to understand the basics, but then it got much easier. I'm still learning and discovering new features though.

With patience and hard work, Ruslan has grown Away2PA into a dynamic portfolio. We look forward to seeing Ruslan continue to push her company forward with the help of OwnerRez. 

This is good to know.  I was considering moving from Fire TV to Roku just for this feature ... but if it doesn't return the device to the previous guest ready config then that is a show stopper!  

We clearly communicate to our guests that it is their responsibility to log out of any streaming accounts before they leave ... and we do this in multiple places.  While I know that doing a good job of communicating a guest's responsibilities doesn't always work, it should pass the "reasonability" test if someone wants to claim their information was exposed to other people.  And I also know, that none of that stops a lawyer from going after me because that is just what lawyers do.  In the end, this is more about balancing risks and costs. 

We’re excited to announce our latest integration with CodeBox, offering OwnerRez users a dependable and affordable way to manage guest access.

About CodeBox

CodeBox Inc. is dedicated to providing an affordable, safe and dependable hassle-free means for transferring/exchanging keys between you and your guests. They are excited to bring a lockbox solution to Vacation Rentals after more than a decade of providing exceptional service to property managers, REALTORS®, equipment rentals, as well as many other industries.

Their LOW COST CodeBox digital lockbox solution offers different sizes, models and modes, so no matter your need they have you protected. Their code generation technology and options allow for years of unique codes, and their common battery operated design means no pesky charging devices or expensive replacements.

Vacation Rental Features

• No Internet/Cellular connections required
• Single-use code for the entire duration of stay
• 8 vendor codes available
• Limits access between check-in and check-out times
• Simple to upgrade Vacation Mode and # of Vendor Codes
• Various vacation durations available (up to 31 nights, 21 nights + 10 weeks, 31 weeks)

Additional features, such as the mode of lockbox, vendor codes, accessories, code length, or expiration, are available at the time of order and easily upgraded in the field if a change is required.

Pricing

• CodeBox lockbox less than $90/unit
• Monthly rate $2/unit

Ready to Connect?

Get started with CodeBox by visiting here and checking out the support article for integrating OwnerRez with CodeBox.

Roku "Guest Mode" is the biggest waste of time, and a completely useless feature that vacation rental hosts really can not use!

What Roku fails to mention when promoting this 'feature' is that it only benefits the guest, in that it wipes out their credentials when the Roku is taken out of guest mode.

But do all of the owner's pre-existing settings come back and are available to use again after the Roku guest mode is turned off? NO!  All of the owner's settings that were in place before the Roku was put in guest mode are lost, and wiped from the device's memory. Meaning that after every time guest mode is used, the Roku needs to be setup all over again, which depending upon the complexity of the setup and programming, and the number of streaming services connected to (all of which have had their account and password information removed) can take up to an hour to complete! Per TV! Then multiply that times 5 TVs in the property!

Who has got 5 hours to reprogram and setup TVs and streaming accounts every time there is a guest turnover?

And if the property manager is not technically adept (like mine is... NOT) this is not something easily done, and may require the owner to do, and they often do not live in the same area as their vacation rental and can not be travelling to their VR just to reset up all of their TVs! Like me! Take a 4000 km trip to another country just to setup TVs every time a guest leaves? I don't think so!

There has been much talk about the uselessness of this so-called feature on the Roku user forums, because the cost in time and hassle getting the Roku back the way it was before it was put into Guest Mode just isn't worth it!

Guest Mode? Sorry... the proper name of this 'feature' on Roku should be Reset!

Don't use it! You'll be sorry if you do!

Is there any update yet on the streamlining of Booking.com with OR so the connection of new listings uploads smoothly? 

I am interested in the concierge service, and would love to be able to utilize but I only have 2 properties. Quite a few of these new services are only available for 5 or more properties. I hope OwnerRez can negotiate to be able to bring the smaller owners onboard. 

I was also looking for some reviews and couldn't find any.  All these services promise the world but for some reason want to tie you into a subscription where they get paid regardless of results, and the results often don't follow.  Was interested in trying, but even this blog post already has 1x false advertising claim: concierge starting at 9.80 for a monthly subscription, but that price is only if you pay for the year, so that is what I would call a yearly subscription.  Rethinking signing up if they can't even be upfront with their pricing.

Hi - I did a broad search on Google and could not find any reviews. There was one suggestion to use chatgpt the writeups instead. This probably would work if you first seed chatgpt with the desired emphasis. All for free.

Would be interested to know this too? I've searched but can't find any outstanding reviews.

Has anyone here in the OR community got experience in collaborating with Autorank? What was your experience?

We’re excited to announce our new integration with Reva, helping OwnerRez users automate their guest review strategy, gain actionable insights, and boost direct bookings.

About Reva

Reva’s review and reputation platform helps vacation rental managers automate their guest review strategy to save time, drive valuable business insights, and boost direct bookings. Reva aggregates your reviews into one centralized channel, giving you the visibility and control needed to drive actionable insights and improvements across your business.

Features

• Consolidate every review from every channel into one dashboard.
• Leverage AI for advanced review categorization, tagging, and reporting.
• Draft reviews back to guests.
• Tie reviews to operations data to automate property care and track staff performance.
• Automatically push reviews back to your website and social media channels for more social proof.
• Drive more 5-star reviews through a customized collection tool.
• Share property reports with homeowner clients for more trust and retention.

Pricing

Boutique ($69/month)

• For small vacation rental managers and hoteliers with fewer than 30 units.

Professional ($99/month)

• For larger vacation rental managers and hoteliers with between 30 and 99 units.
  

Enterprise ($.99/property per month)

• For enterprise vacation rental managers and hoteliers with 100+ units.

View additional pricing info here.

Ready to Connect?

Get started with Reva by visiting here and checking out the OwnerRez support article for integrating OwnerRez with Reva..

This week’s roundup covers Booking.com’s partnership with ChatGPT, a proposed short-term rental tax in San Diego, reports on Airbnb’s potential business profiles, and smart TV liability risks in vacation rentals. Let’s dive in.

Booking.com has been selected as one of the first partners to launch an app inside ChatGPT, joining a small group that includes Spotify, Expedia, and Zillow. The integration lets guests explore destinations, search for stays, view photos and amenities, and compare options directly within ChatGPT. Once a stay is selected, guests are directed to Booking.com to complete their booking. This exciting partnership between Booking.com and OpenAI aims to make trip planning more seamless and conversational, potentially leading to added visibility for vacation rental operators. 

San Diego officials are turning their attention to short-term rentals as they look for new ways to close a year-long budget deficit. A proposal introduced this week would establish a new tax on vacation rentals, with the funds allocated toward affordable housing and homelessness programs. If approved, the measure could introduce new costs and reporting requirements for short-term rental operators, making it crucial for hosts in the San Diego area to stay informed and act quickly as the proposal takes shape.

In the wake of Airbnb’s first-ever North American Host Summit, Skift reported that property managers were introduced to Airbnb’s new concept for business profiles. The feature reportedly would allow hosts to group multiple listings under a single profile, showcase their vacation rental brand, and access enhanced performance insights. These exciting reports seem to point towards Airbnb wanting to help professional hosts manage their portfolios more effectively and draw a line between professional and individual hosts on the platform. No official announcements have been made, but these reports share a potentially interesting path forward for Airbnb.

Short Term Rentalz released an article this week discussing the liability of smart TVs in vacation rental properties. The article highlights the importance of credential clearing, which ensures that previous guests’ streaming accounts and personal information are removed during the turnover and before new guests check in. Failing to clear logins can expose hosts to potential legal issues. An easy solution for removing this potential liability is to utilize Roku Guest Mode. For vacation rental operators already using Roku TVs in their properties, check out our guide on How to Use Roku Guest Mode in Your Vacation Rental here.

With exciting new partnerships and evolving regulations, the vacation rental market continues to undergo rapid changes. Check back next week for the latest news!

Excellent work! keep cranking them out!. Thanks

Thanks, Johnny P! 😁

Excellent work! keep cranking them out!. Thanks

This week, we look at Marriott’s outdoor-focused loyalty expansion, Airbnb’s 2026 World Cup efforts, Oregon’s strengthened guest privacy rules, and what’s next for Airbnb’s rewards program. Let’s dive in.

Marriott is expanding its Bonvoy program with a new outdoor platform that includes both stays and curated activities like hiking, biking, skiing, and water sports across North America. Members can now earn and redeem points not just on hotel rooms, but also on outdoor-focused lodging and experiences through partner resorts and outfitters. The move signals the strong demand for travel that goes beyond a place to sleep, as more guests seek trips built around wellness, adventure, and the outdoors. For short-term rental operators, this trend opens the door to highlight your property’s proximity to outdoor activities and even consider partnering with local outfitters to offer guests a more complete travel experience.

A recent report commissioned by Airbnb warns that Vancouver could face a shortfall of 70,000 overnight stays during the FIFA World Cup 2026, with hotel prices expected to soar by more than 200%. Airbnb is calling for temporary special event hosting rules, also known as event exemptions, to ease short-term rental restrictions during the tournament. Similar measures have been used successfully in the UK and Japan, allowing residents to host visitors for major events without affecting long-term housing supply. Airbnb says a time-limited exemption would help Vancouver close the lodging gap, keep prices more affordable for fans, and fully capture the economic benefits of hosting the World Cup. If approved, the exemption could create significant opportunities for hosts during the tournament and potentially set a precedent for future global events, such as the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The state of Oregon has passed a new law strengthening privacy protections for guests in short-term rentals and hotels. Guests now have the right to take legal action and recover monetary damages if they are recorded through photos, video, or audio in spaces where they would reasonably expect privacy. The law expands protections beyond what was previously in place. For short-term rental operators, it’s a good opportunity to review your listings and ensure everything is fully compliant.

Airbnb is investing $5 million in communities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup across North America, with $1 million specifically allocated to New York and New Jersey. The funding will support the creation of five new soccer mini-pitches in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, and New Jersey in collaboration with the U.S. Soccer Foundation. Airbnb will also sponsor community events, including the Queens Community Day festival and a celebration in the Bronx during the tournament. The company says the initiative aims to build a lasting community legacy while supporting local engagement ahead of the World Cup.

Skift released an interesting article this week speculating on a long-awaited rewards program from Airbnb. Sources say the company is currently evaluating loyalty options and may favor a membership style program over a traditional points system, offering perks like discounts, early check-ins, or waived fees. CEO Brian Chesky has described a loyalty or membership program as “a very, very compelling thing” and said “something big is coming” while development is underway. Analysts suggest a membership model could help Airbnb compete with hotel loyalty programs while staying true to its lifestyle and community driven brand. No launch date has been announced, but the discussion highlights Airbnb’s focus on deepening customer engagement as it expands further into hotels.

As the industry gears up for major events like the World Cup, expect more updates across the vacation rental landscape this fall. Check back next week for the latest news!

Once again, an amazing batch of updates. Can't wait to try the review triggers and field codes. New design looking good, too. Thanks team!

Thanks so much, Mar Bella! 😁 Check out our new support articles with ideas for using these new review triggers and field codes.

• Send Thank you to your Guest for the 5-star Review Template and Trigger
• Send Guest Review Feedback to Cleaners

Once again, an amazing batch of updates. Can't wait to try the review triggers and field codes. New design looking good, too. Thanks team!

Cameras that detect facial recognition are already being used in public places whether we are aware of it or not. Banks, grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, etc.  I don’t have an issue with it. I think if we drafted a message for guests to explain why this necessary (to keep everyone safe, honest, and validating that the primary guest is who they say they are) is good for due diligence and preventing chargebacks.  Stripe has established a similar process. 

I am in favor of facial recognition and authentication of guests ID in an effort to prevent chargebacks and the reassurance that the primary guest staying in my property is who they say they are.  We are in an era of people creating fake IDs. Currently I use Cognito Forms for guest ID however it’s not authenticated, nor is the link created by OR to add to the Rental Agreement.  I don’t understand the objection to facial recognition.  I would like to onboard but first would like to see a tutorial because as it stands I don’t see how to embed a link for Authenticate into my RA.

For any other OR users who have a surcharge that should calculate a percentage on rent+surcharges (such as a credit card processing fee), unfortunately we have to keep all our surcharges in the old system (called "custom" now). 

Received this back from OR Support: "This appears to be a design limitation rather than a bug. The new Standard Surcharges system prioritizes simplicity over granular positioning control. For your specific use case where you need the CC processing fee to calculate on rent + surcharges, you may indeed need to revert to custom surcharges for full positioning control."