Nearly Half of STR Operators Expect AI Agents to Run Parts of Their Businesses

10/12/2026

Nearly half of short-term rental operators expect AI agents or fully automated workflows to handle parts of their businesses within the next year, according to Hostaway research. Among more than 700 property managers and owners surveyed, 48% expect to adopt these technologies within 12 months, compared with 20% currently. Overall, 89% already use AI, primarily for guest messaging, review responses, marketing, and listing optimization. However, adoption is lower for sales, hiring, and management. Fragmented data is a major obstacle, with only 16% reporting fully centralized data. Trust is another challenge, as 35% cite confidence in AI accuracy as a key barrier.

Travolution (10/05/26) Kate Harden-England

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