This Week’s News & Insights

Good morning,

Here’s whats going on in the short-term rental world this week:

Beyoncé’s star power packs Paris STRs with 7,000 extra nights booked, hotel giants - Marriott, Wyndham, and Hyatt - are scrambling to copy STR features, and despite economic headwinds, Americans spring break spending jumps 14% to $5,325 per trip. 

This week in the markets: Mortgage rates inched up, inflation’s heating back up, and major STR regulation changes rolled out in Buffalo, NY, South Haven, MI, and Riverside County, CA.

Lets dive in. 

NEWS

Headline Roundup

• Americans will spend nearly 14% more on spring break vacations in 2025 compared to last year, averaging $5,325 per trip (PR Newswire)

• Marriott, Wyndham, and Hyatt are making substantial investments to try and copy Airbnb’s appeal (The Host Report)

• Beyoncé's Paris takeover adds an additional 7,000 nights of STR demand (AirDNA)

• Vacasa is being acquired by Casago, a company with 8x less homes under management (The Host Report)

• Airbnb claps back at Vrbo's ‘cooler than you’ billboard campaign, calls it “confused and desperate” (Skift)

• TravelPerk partners with Airbnb, opening bookings to 6,000+ corporate clients (The Host Report)

• A $180K fine traps a landlord after his tenant’s sneaky Airbnb rental arbitrage scheme turns ugly (The Independent)

• Main Street is having a moment: ranking America’s most charming small-town Main Streets (Realtor.com)

• After Oklahoma wildfires, Airbnb steps in to house displaced residents for free (News on 6)

• VRBO’s Head of Global PR shares top tips for booking the perfect summer vacation home (KUTV)

INVESTMENT INSIGHTS

Market Snapshot

This week’s tiny bump in mortgage rates is mainly due to the Fed’s decision to hold steady on its key interest rate—trying to keep inflation from getting out of hand while still keeping the economy on the rails. On top of that, some of the fear around global trade started to cool off, which nudged 10-year Treasury yields higher, and mortgage rates often follow.

Inflation Update

The latest inflation numbers are out: in January 2025, the CPI rose 3% year-over-year—up from 2.9% in December—marking the third straight monthly increase and signaling renewed inflationary pressure. With mortgage rates nearing 7% and the Fed having already cut rates three times since September 2024, persistent inflation and strong job growth are now dampening hopes for further rate cuts.

Regulations Update

• South Haven, MI, and Buffalo, NY, just enacted sweeping new ordinances that will sharply reshape STR operations—Buffalo is forcing non-owner-occupied rentals out of residential zones, while South Haven’s $1,000 penalty structure, new parking rules, and licensing requirements will hit profit margins hard.

• Riverside County, California, has slammed the brakes on new permits with a surprise 45-day moratorium in two fast-growing desert markets, signaling that enforcement is no longer just talk. 

• Utah passed investor-friendly reforms reducing parking mandates and easing restrictions, but the absence of tenant protections may stir future backlash.

• The U.S. Virgin Islands proposed a 20% Airbnb tax could decimate ROI overnight.

• Markets with developing regulations were keeping an eye on: Saranac Lake, NY, Muskoka Lakes, Ontario, Nacodoches, TX, and the Black Hills Region of South Dakota.

See this weeks full regulations report here: (The Host Report)

EDUCATION

Featured Article

In 2025, travelers don’t just want a place to sleep—they want a story to tell.

According to Arival, people are picking destinations based on the cool stuff they can do there. Think cooking classes with locals, street food tours, or anything that feels “real”. The host’s cheat code: don’t just rent a bed—sell the experience. Highlight local gems in your listing and offer your own recs. (Arrival)

Additional Resources:

• Airbnb Design Secrets: Pro Tips to Make Guests Fall in Love (The Host Report)

• The Beginners Guide to Fine-Tuning a New Airbnb for Maximum Results (The Host Report)