There’s something undeniably delightful about taking in the desert warmth of Palm Springs, the coastal breeze of San Diego, and the alpine charm of Whistler, British Columbia, but the real magic happens when industry pros come together in these destinations to share valuable insights. That’s what Rise and Shine: The Short-Term Rental Breakfast Series is all about—delivering value to property managers right in their own (beautiful) backyards.
Our team recently enjoyed meeting industry professionals at Rise and Shine in these three locations.
Let market changes guide your decisions
The market is changing––that’s nothing new––but it’s important to understand the “why.”
Vacationers alter their travel plans in the face of economic uncertainty. Canadians, for example, are opting out of US travel in favor of domestic destinations like Whistler, Canmore, and the Okanagan Valley. Urban markets like Toronto and Vancouver are seeing growth, too, though more modestly.
Stateside travelers may also be choosing to stay close to home. Increased occupancy rates indicate that American guests could be offsetting international occupancy loss.
Property managers in California have maintained occupancy rates slightly above the national average. However, the margin has narrowed throughout 2025 as the national occupancy rate has increased at a slightly higher rate. For a more holistic evaluation, PMs in this region should benchmark current occupancy against last year’s trends and take strategic action with rates and marketing if they start to fall behind.
While average daily rates in California are also slightly higher than the current national average, they’re not quite on pace with last year’s rates. Rates vary based on market trends and availability, so data-based revenue management is crucial to making appropriate rate adjustments.
Still, gaining—and maintaining—an edge in a highly competitive market takes more than just producing solid numbers. Inventory growth has slowed, but solid occupancy tells us that vacation rental demand remains strong. With increased competition for owners comes the need to prioritize not only owner acquisition, but retention, too.
Practical strategies and things to consider
Embrace AI integrations and tech stack investments
Strategic tech adoption is all about ROI—you need tools that solve real problems, deliver measurable results, and streamline operations without adding unnecessary complexity. Property managers are finding success with platforms that combine practical functionality with AI-powered workload reduction features, like automated messaging and real-time pricing. These tools can pay for themselves when you take full advantage of them; if your tech stack isn’t showing a return, it may be time to reevaluate.
Multiply visibility across platforms
Many guests have a preferred booking channel. Don’t miss out on entire market segments by limiting your properties to just one platform. Spreading across multiple platforms increases visibility and helps mitigate risk. (Great news: Streamline integrates with all your favorite booking channels).
Find new ways to build a great guest experience
Review each step of the guest experience all the way from check-in to check-out to identify opportunities for an enhanced guest experience. Whether you’re offering services like flexible check-in times and pre-arrival grocery delivery, adding amenities like gaming systems and kayaks, or connecting them with local experiences, thoughtful additions will create memorable stays that keep guests coming back for more. (Hint: Streamline users can check out the integration marketplace for solutions that are sure to win points with guests)
Show your existing property owners some love, too
Remember, owner retention is crucial right now! You’ve done the hard part by getting a property owner on board, but don’t stop there. Keeping owners happy will make you more resilient during a period of slowed inventory growth.
Are you overlooking a hidden revenue stream?
Short-term rental revenue streams are relatively straight forward: rent accounts for 82% (65% for owners; 17% for property managers’ commissions) while fees and service charges account for the remaining 18%. But you may be missing out on collecting that full 18%—PMs ultimately collect only 15-20% of total fees when they are included in the owner rate. Alternatively, listing fees and service charges as an add-on will allow PMs to retain 100%.
Pay attention to the (right) data
Not all metrics were created equal, and the pricing strategy that worked a few months ago may not produce the same results today. Check out the section below for the key metrics that will help you price your units strategically.
Metrics that matter
It may be the bottom line, but revenue alone doesn’t tell the whole story. Tracking the right metrics can help you transform your business:
- Adjusted Paid Occupancy quiets the noise of blocked nights and owner stays, giving you a clearer picture of your actual performance.
- The booking window is crucial right now, especially with the shorter lead times we’re seeing. Understanding guest booking habits helps you time your rate adjustments and promotions perfectly.
- Revenue per Unit (RevPAU) combines your occupancy and average daily rate into one number that tells the real story of your performance.
- Length of Stay is your secret weapon—longer stays mean more revenue, and it’s one of the few metrics you can directly influence through strategic pricing and guest experience enhancements.
So, what now?
This year’s trends are hard to ignore: occupancy is up, booking behavior is trending toward shorter stays, and guests are expecting more services and amenities. Growth is within reach, but only for those willing to adapt—the right technology, a flexible mindset, and a clear view of what travelers want right now can make all the difference.
Success begins with strategic decisions. Fine-tune your approach and let the results speak for themselves.
Good news: Streamline can provide the data and tools you need to thrive in the vacation rental industry. Ready to get started?