The short-term rental industry has reached nearly every corner of the world. Wherever you travel, you’ll likely find an option that fits your needs.
But one challenge remains unsolved. It’s the question every major player has tried to answer since the beginning: why has nobody built a truly global STR operator?
Many think they know the answer, but reality keeps proving them wrong. Creating a global platform requires more than scale. It demands an understanding of culture, technology, and human judgment at a level few have achieved.
Looking ahead, the future of short-term rentals will depend on how deeply the industry learns to navigate those nuances.
STR Global Unlocked Podcast | Episode 3
EPISODE 3 WITH FORGE HOLIDAY GROUP, CASAGO & MADECOMFY
Scaling an operator globally while preserving what makes it unique is the next logical step for the STR industry. The challenge has been there from the start, and instead of becoming easier, it has only grown more complex.
One of the first traps is assuming all markets are the same. As Forge Group CEO Graham Donoghue points out, once you look deeper, you realize how different they truly are.
Casago founder Steve Schwab shares that view and sees decentralization as the foundation of real scalability. His “block by block” approach keeps local expertise at the center of operations.
MadeComfy Co-CEO Quirin Schwaighofer adds that scaling efficiently still requires a human touch. Technology matters, but hyperlocal trust is what truly connects and strengthens communities.
Simon Lehmann leads a thought-provoking panel with three seasoned veterans, where these ideas are just the beginning.
“When we consult customers, they always want to expand into more destinations. The first question I always ask them is, how big is your team? Stay where you are and get that to 10% market share or more. Then, and only then, think about entering new markets if there isn’t enough supply with the quality you’re looking for.”
In this conversation, we discuss:
Why no operator has cracked the code for a global STR platform and what makes each market uniquely difficult.
How Casago’s decentralized franchise model unlocked scalability across the Americas through community-level trust.
How partnering with real estate agents helped MadeComfy grow fast while staying capital-light.
How Forge Group uses technology, AI, and long-term planning to drive operational excellence through 2030.
What private equity and strategic investors really measure when defining “value creation” in the STR sector.
Why the next generation of operators will need both AI-driven systems and human talent to stay competitive.
🎧 This week’s episode of STR Global Unlocked features Graham Donoghue, CEO of Forge Group, Steve Schwab, Founder of Casago, and Quirin Schwaighofer, Co-CEO of MadeComfy.
Watch our episode here.
Key STR Trends
INDUSTRY CHECK-IN
The European Union is preparing new rules that could reshape the short-term rental industry. The goal is to address long-standing issues such as tenants’ rights and property speculation.
For years, these challenges have grown into what the EU now calls a “huge problem,” creating difficult conditions for anyone trying to buy a home. The housing shortage and rising prices are not limited to one country. Across the continent, both rent levels and homelessness have increased, as this article explains.
Regulators have often pointed to Airbnb and Booking as key contributors to the crisis. Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has pushed back, calling those reports unfair and highlighting that traditional hotels still account for 80% of guest nights in the EU.
Source: Anti-Airbnb graffiti in the Le Panier district of Marseille. Short-term rentals have been blamed across Europe for driving up rents and forcing local people out of city centres. Photograph: Neil Setchfield/Alamy
What’s certain is that change is coming. The next phase will bring new challenges for an industry that has always gone against the grain. Now is the time to find solutions that serve both sides.
Weekly News
WORTH A READ
Want to dig deeper into the industry? Each edition highlights key news, data, and technology shaping the short-term rental market.
AI-native rental platform
A Berlin-based startup has raised $36 million to build an AI-powered STR platform.
“Best of British” fund
Airbnb and VisitBritain have launched a £1 million fund to strengthen local tourism.
The Era of YOU
Booking.com’s 2026 trends report predicts a growing focus on individuality and personalized travel experiences.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
This week’s episode brings together expert perspectives on one of the industry’s biggest challenges: building a global STR platform. It also reminds us why local nuances can’t be ignored when trying to reach that goal. There’s a reason we haven’t seen it happen yet.
The panel shared proven strategies that point to a diverse future, one that offers something for everyone.
Until next time, keep questioning, keep building, and keep unlocking the future of the STR industry.
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