Despite the myths of saturation, the short-term rental industry is full of opportunity. The total addressable market is massive, but it’s also complex. Every local and regional market has its own needs, regulations, and entry barriers.
So, how do you win in such a fragmented landscape?
Today’s guest reminds us not to chase the biggest target. Don’t build a product meant to compete everywhere.
Instead, focus on creating the single best product you can, one that truly delivers value in the market you know best.
STR Global Unlocked Podcast | Episode 5
EPISODE 5 WITH AMIAD SOTO, GUESTY FOUNDER AND CEO
Guesty is one of the power players in the STR industry, and getting there has taught some valuable lessons. Even with Guesty’s success, founder Amiad Soto knows he’s only beginning to unlock its full potential.
If one of the most influential companies is just scratching the surface, what does that mean for everyone else?
It has never been easier to start a company or launch new projects, but that doesn’t guarantee success. The opportunities are real. The total addressable market in the short-term rental industry is massive, yet also extremely complex.
This is not a one-size-fits-all space. As Amiad explains, it’s more like 50 different products for 50 different needs, each with its own barriers to entry.
So, what’s the key to success? Don’t think big. Think best.
“It’s not a winner-takes-all market. There’s still room for new innovators to grab market share. The challenge is that this industry is highly complex. To compete here, you need to master dozens of different products, and that makes entry expensive.”
In today's conversation, we explore this question and much more:
The challenges of scaling technology across fragmented, international markets and how Guesty is addressing them.
Amiad Soto’s journey from a side project with his twin brother in Tel Aviv to building Guesty into a global property management platform.
Why short-term rentals have become a core part of hospitality and how the industry has evolved over the past decade.
Amiad’s perspective on leading through change while building customer trust and a strong team culture.
🎧 This week’s episode of STR Global Unlocked features Amiad Soto, Guesty Founder and CEO
Watch our episode here.
Key STR Trends
INDUSTRY CHECK-IN
Is the STR market oversaturated? Experts agree to disagree, which only shows how fast the industry continues to evolve.
Short-term rental demand has skyrocketed in recent years, especially after the pandemic. But growth hasn’t been uniform. Major cities and top tourist destinations have faced saturation, a concern already highlighted in a 2022 article.
If we focused only on these destinations, we might conclude that the STR industry is in trouble. Yet other markets are growing quickly, and many remain completely untapped, particularly smaller or emerging destinations.
And then there’s the elephant in the room: regulation. Local and regional governments keep changing their stance on STRs, creating even greater disruption across the industry.
Source: yahoo!finance
This article shows describes the key questions shaping the future of STRs and what the next few years might bring.
Weekly News
WORTH A READ
Want to stay ahead of the industry? Each issue brings you key insights, the latest news, and fresh updates on STR technology.
Phishing Threats in STR
A major cyberattack is targeting hotel and property management systems, putting critical data at risk.
Pay-to-Play Tech?
Hospitable CEO Pierre-Camille Hamana shares his view on the growing costs of STR software.
Airbnb Ban Lawsuit
In a small Minnesota town, hosts are taking legal action over a controversial short-term rental ban.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Today’s conversation reminds us that success in the STR industry depends less on scale and more on how precisely you can solve one problem.
At the same time, the landscape continues to fragment, creating both greater opportunity and higher risk.
The future of this industry won’t be defined by a single dominant player, but by the creative, determined companies that perfect their solution.
If you liked this newsletter, share it with your friends!
If this email was forwarded to you, subscribe to our Beehiiv’s newsletter here to get the newsletter every week.