Two core pillars in the STR industry have always tested operators. Today, mastering them isn’t just about optimizing processes , it’s essential for survival.
We’re talking about revenue and operations. The professionalization of short-term rentals has raised the bar, and both owners and guests now expect much more.
Operators must balance optimizing revenue and operations simultaneously, while navigating a fragmented market and an overwhelming number of tools.
Are these challenges part of what’s broken in STR? And will we ever have one tool that solves them all?
Today, we dig into those questions and more.
STR Global Unlocked Podcast | Episode 6
EPISODE 6 WITH JEREMY GALL, FOUNDER AND CEO AT BREEZEWAY, AND RICHIE KHANDELWAL, CO-FOUNDER AT PRICELABS
The short-term rental industry has come a long way in professionalization. Yet, while this evolution brings clear benefits, it also raises the stakes. Owners and guests expect more than ever, and operators are under mounting pressure to master two critical areas: revenue and operations.
Jeremy Gall, founder and CEO of Breezeway, notes that owners now expect continuous revenue optimization, making RMS systems and intelligent pricing essential.
At the same time, Richie Khandelwal, co-founder of PriceLabs, reminds us that fragmentation remains a major challenge. Every STR is its own home, apartment, or villa, each with its own nuances. That complexity can undermine any attempt to consolidate operations or maximize revenue.
So, what’s the path forward? Both experts agree that the real opportunity lies in integration. It’s the holy grail of STR, but achieving true unit-level profitability is still a long way off.
Simon Lehmann leads this conversation to tackle the tough questions many in the industry are asking.
“One thing we’ve definitely seen speeding up the way the market is structured is the arrival of larger capital investors. They don’t want to invest in a fragmented market. Their value creation plan includes thousands of add-ons, acquisitions, and roll-ups. Large chunks of capital are now flowing into tech, which we hadn’t seen before, and that’s going to shape how consolidation plays out.”
In this conversation, we discuss:
Why operational efficiency in STR has become non-negotiable and why operators must take the wheel and lead.
Despite repeated consolidation attempts, the STR market will remain hyper-local in the near term.
Tech adoption in STR is still in its early stages, but the trend is clear: it’s accelerating.
How integrating revenue and operations is the key to solving fragmentation and achieving unit-level profitability.
Why PMS platforms can’t go deep enough to cover every use case in such a fragmented industry.
🎧 This week's episode of STR Global Unlocked features Jeremy Gall, founder and CEO at Breezeway, and Richie Khandelwal, co-founder at PriceLabs.
Watch our episode here.
Key STR Trends
INDUSTRY CHECK-IN
The World Cup always brings seismic shifts to the short-term rental industry and the 2026 edition is no exception. At the center of the conversation is Dallas, and for good reason.
Estimates suggest the 2026 FIFA World Cup could generate up to $2.1 billion, creating major opportunities for Airbnb hosts. Many are rushing to list their properties early as demand surges.
But there’s a massive potential roadblock. Since 2023, the City of Dallas has attempted to enforce two ordinances that would ban most STR listings within city limits. The issue remains tied up in litigation. Here you can read more about these ordinances.
Meanwhile, plaintiffs such as the Dallas Short-Term Rental Alliance are pushing for a temporary lift of the ban during the World Cup, aiming to ensure safety, quality, and fair access for both locals and visitors.
Source: A sign against short-term rentals. Photo by Emil T. Lippe.
Weekly News
WORTH A READ
Want to dig deeper into the industry? Each edition highlights the key news, data, and technology shaping the short-term rental market.
Airbnb and ChatGPT
Brian Chesky says OpenAI’s platform isn’t yet robust enough for Airbnb’s needs.
Expedia and Booking as gatekeepers
A new duopoly is forming and experts warn it could reshape the future of travel.
Italy and STR taxes
The country plans to end a long-standing tax break on short-term rentals.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
The STR industry is becoming more professional than ever. As a result, both owners and guests now expect higher standards and, above all, greater value, whether as hosts or travelers.
This week’s conversation explores what this professionalization means for operators and how technology must evolve to meet those growing demands. At the same time, our guests remind us that in such a dynamic industry, there’s always a trade-off.
Until next time, keep questioning, keep building, and keep unlocking the future of STR.
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