The 2026 Vacation Rental Industry Outlook is now available! This report offers property managers a comprehensive look at the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the year ahead. Drawing on insights from 244 short-term rental professionals representing more than 43,000 properties across the United States, this report provides a detailed, data-backed view of how the sector is evolving across markets and regions.
An Industry Grounded in Measured Optimism
The 2026 Vacation Rental Survey reveals an industry marked by measured optimism grounded in reality. The majority of property managers anticipate stability or modest growth in ADR, demand, revenue, and occupancy rates in the coming year. Few expect declines, but confidence softens when managers consider their own portfolios relative to the broader market. That tempered outlook underscores a key insight: capturing growth will be more challenging amid rising competition and regulatory pressures.
A Snapshot of the Industry’s Biggest Pressures
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of property managers say staffing and revenue pressures are the biggest barriers to achieving their 2026 business goals. The data points to an industry still grappling with labor shortages, rising costs, and fluctuating market demand, challenges that are reshaping how operators plan and prioritize for the year ahead.
Regulation also remains a defining factor. For example, 42% of property managers expect local or state regulations to limit their ability to meet 2026 targets while 47% report operating under strict permitting or licensing requirements, which often mean higher compliance costs and limitations on property availability.
How Property Managers Are Responding
To navigate these challenges, property managers are shifting their focus toward operational excellence. Efficiency through improved staffing, guest service, and property care ranks as the top strategic priority for 2026, ahead of marketing, guest experience, and portfolio expansion.
At the same time, marketing and distribution improvements remain highly ranked, particularly among smaller managers who depend on greater visibility to drive bookings. Nearly one in three (32%) property managers now review market data weekly to guide pricing and strategy decisions, highlighting a growing reliance on real-time insights to stay agile in a changing market.
“The data makes clear that property managers are feeling the pressure as they head into 2026,” said Melanie Brown, Director of Data Insights at Key Data. “Staffing shortages, revenue concerns, and regulation are weighing heavily on the sector. What we also see is a shift in priorities: managers are putting operations and efficiency ahead of expansion, and leaning more on data to make decisions.”
Why This Report Matters
The Vacation Rental Industry Outlook 2026 is designed to help property managers benchmark their performance, identify emerging challenges, and plan proactively for the year ahead. With detailed insights into operational priorities, regulatory impacts, and market sentiment across U.S. regions, it serves as a practical guide for teams navigating a more competitive and regulated short-term rental landscape.
The Vacation Rental Industry Outlook 2026 also uncovers meaningful differences across company sizes and regions. Smaller and larger property managers demonstrate distinct trends in demand expectations, technology adoption, and strategic priorities. Regional nuances are equally pronounced, from OTA usage and competitive intensity to revenue growth and regulatory risk.
Explore the full Vacation Rental Industry Outlook 2026
See how these trends break down by company size, region, and business model in the full 2026 Vacation Rental Industry Outlook. Discover how leading property managers are preparing for the year ahead and where the biggest opportunities lie. Download your copy of the 2026 Vacation Rental Industry Outlook.