Wire Weekly: Global short-term rental & hospitality news

This week, I asked a question on LinkedIn: Who has a hospitality story that isn’t about AI?

The feedback in comments? A very loud, very clear YES!

Because while headlines are dominated by automation and algorithms, hospitality remains firmly human-led. Operators navigating regulation, communities advocating for themselves and businesses constantly adapting to regain control in a fragmented landscape.

We’re still working to reach and support that community, still dealing with regulatory pressure, and still reminded daily that this industry is built on people, not platforms. Safe to say: that’s not changing anytime soon 😉

So this week, we’re focusing on exactly that.

A quick shout-out before we dive in: Today is the final day to submit sessions for Vacation Rental Management Association Nashville 26. If you have a topic you’re passionate about or have expertise you’d like to share on stage, it’s today or… 2027. Why wait?

Why experiences are still resisting OTA dominance

A recent piece from PhocusWire highlights something the industry doesn’t talk about enough: OTAs still haven’t cracked experiences in the same way they have accommodation.

Structurally, that’s not a coincidence.

Experiences are inherently fragmented. They’re local, often informal and built around people over inventory. The guides, hosts and communities that make up the ‘experience’ sector. That makes them significantly harder to aggregate, price dynamically and scale globally.

Even with major investment from platforms, the model doesn’t translate cleanly.

What this means for operators: This is one of the clearest signals that not everything in travel will be platform-dominated. The more your offering leans into experience, personality and locality, the more defensible it becomes. But only if you actively build your own distribution and relationships around it.

Lake.com introduces a subscription model for hosts and property managers

One of the more interesting structural shifts this week comes from Lake.com, which is introducing a subscription-based model for hosts and property managers.

Instead of relying purely on commission per booking, the model offers a more predictable cost structure; aligning more with SaaS than traditional OTA economics.

It’s a notable move in a space long dominated by percentage-based fees, and it speaks directly to growing operator frustration around margin erosion and lack of control.

What this means for operators: This isn’t just a pricing tweak, it’s a challenge to the dominant distribution model.

Subscription models shift risk and responsibility, but they also offer something operators have been asking for: predictability and ownership. If this gains traction, we could see a meaningful diversification in how distribution works across the sector.

Advocacy in action: what Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers is doing right now

The latest update from the ASSC is a strong reminder that advocacy isn’t a side effort, it’s becoming core to operating in this industry.

Their current work spans multiple fronts:

• Ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government on short-term let licensing schemes
• Challenging disproportionate regulation and pushing for fairer, evidence-based policy
• Supporting members with compliance guidance and real-time updates
• Representing operator interests in discussions that directly impact livelihoods

What stands out is the consistency of effort. The ASSC and all of the associations that support the short-term rentals industry deliver sustained, strategic pressure to ensure the sector is properly understood and fairly treated.

The Missouri Vacation Home Alliance is another strong example of what sustained advocacy can achieve. With bipartisan support, the state is making clear progress on new legislation that would keep short-term rentals classified as residential for property tax purposes, preventing sudden reclassification that has, in some cases, increased operator costs overnight.

What this means for operators: The operators and markets that fare best will be those with strong representation, clear communication and active participation. Trade bodies like the ASSC, PASC UK and Fevitur in Spain aren’t just helpful, they’re increasingly essential.

Community Stories

The STR community continues to show up in powerful ways. The Hospitable Hosts: STR Sisterhood book featuring 31 stories of women in hospitality, launched and became an Amazon bestseller on day one. A reminder of the depth of experience and leadership across the sector.

Industry Spotlight: Women across the STR community leading the way

This year’s The Shortyz shortlist is a brilliant reflection of the growing influence of women across the short-term rental sector.

From operations and technology to marketing, guest experience and advocacy, more women than ever are being recognised across multiple categories, not just as participants in the industry, but as leaders shaping its direction.

It’s also striking to see the breadth of representation across roles and business models, from founders and operators to data specialists and content creators.

A huge congratulations to all those nominated. It’s especially great to see so many members of the Women STR Community shortlisted this year. A real reflection of the strength, support and leadership within the group.

Industry Briefs

Hospitality tech PR agency Abode Worldwide has appointed Kerry Wilson as COO, as it scales internationally and responds to growing demand for strategic positioning in hospitality tech.

Vacation rental software provider Hostaway has launched Booking Website Pro, introducing AI-driven marketing and SEO tools to help property managers strengthen direct booking performance.

Have a story the industry should be paying attention to?

If you’re tracking regulation changes, market movements, or community-led initiatives across short-term rentals, serviced accommodation or hospitality, send your news to the Wire Team and feature in an upcoming roundup.