Short Term Rentalz’s Priya Khaira on the 2026 Shortyz Awards

3/30/2026

In this episode of the VRMA Arrival Podcast, we sit down with Priya Khaira, editor of Short Term Rentalz, to talk about the seventh annual Shortyz Awards and what they represent for the global short-term rental industry.

Khaira shares how the awards began seven years ago as a way to spotlight excellence in a fast-growing sector—and how they’ve evolved alongside the industry’s rapid professionalization. From a more formal judging process and expanded categories to a full-scale, dress-to-impress awards evening at The Westin London City, the Shortyz have grown into a major moment of recognition for operators, suppliers, and industry leaders.

We also dig into this year’s categories, including new additions like Best Safety and Security Initiative and Best Travel Influencer, and explore what winning a Shortyz signals in today’s competitive market. Khaira walks through the judging process—combining public voting with a panel of 20 hospitality and STR professionals—and explains how the awards aim to ensure fairness, transparency, and industry-wide representation.

Whether you’re attending in April or simply curious about how excellence is being defined in the short-term rental space, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at an event designed to celebrate the people and companies shaping the future of the industry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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