# The Most Used Booking Platforms for Short-Term Rentals and What Makes Them Attractive

**Publisher:** Phocuswright  
**Published:** 2022-02-01  
**Category:** Research, media & analysts  
**Type:** Report  
**Access:** Free  
**Official source:** https://www.phocuswright.com/Travel-Research/Research-Updates/2022/the-most-used-booking-platforms-for-short-term-rentals-and-what-makes-them-attractive  
**Canonical:** https://tourismintel.ai/reports/the-most-used-booking-platforms-for-short-term-rentals-and-what-makes-them-attra

## At a glance
- 46% of short-term rental users rely on third-party platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo for their last rental trip.
- Airbnb dominates among online bookers, with over half selecting it; highest-ranked for brand recognition and property value.

## What the report covers
Phocuswright's report examines booking behaviour and platform preferences among US short-term rental (STR) users, hosts and property managers. It explores which third-party platforms dominate the market, why travellers select specific brands, and how booking ease influences conversion and category choice. The research combines consumer and business-side perspectives to assess the competitive landscape and identify friction points in the STR transaction process.

## Key findings
Third-party rental platforms command the primary distribution channel. According to the report, 46% of STR users shopped for their last rental trip via third-party listing platforms such as Airbnb or Vrbo. Among those who booked online, more than half used Airbnb, establishing it as the market leader. Booking.com ranked second, followed by Vrbo and Expedia, indicating concentration among established travel platforms.

Brand familiarity and trust drive platform selection. Airbnb scored highest marks for brand recognition, property offerings, value for money and unique properties. The survey finds 66% of travellers now prioritise booking from known and trusted brands, a trend intensified by COVID-19. This halo effect suggests consumers associate familiar STR brands with superior product quality and reliability, regardless of objective performance differences.

Booking friction significantly impacts conversion and category switching. The report identifies ease of booking as critical to transaction completion. Nearly 30% of users with recent hotel stays chose hotels specifically due to simpler booking processes, indicating that complicated rental booking experiences can cause customers to abandon STR altogether in favour of hotels.

Instant bookability strongly influences search and purchase decisions. Nearly two-thirds of STR users prioritise instantly bookable properties when searching, according to the survey. Over 60% of hosts offer instant booking. However, on-request bookings—while allowing hosts to screen guests—can deter travellers from particular properties. The report suggests that greater transparency around on-request processes could improve user satisfaction and reduce abandonment among the 25% of hosts offering on-request-only options.

## Key numbers
| Metric | Value | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Proportion of STR users using third-party platforms | 46% | For last rental trip; observed in Phocuswright survey |
| Travellers prioritising familiar, trusted brands post-COVID | 66% | Shift in preferences attributed to pandemic; survey finding |
| STR users prioritising instantly bookable properties | Nearly two-thirds | Search preference; survey finding |
| Hosts offering on-request bookings only | Just one quarter | Retention of guest screening option; host survey |

## Why it matters
**DMOs & destinations** — STR platforms drive accommodation choice in leisure markets. DMOs must understand that Airbnb and Vrbo dominate traveller research, with brand trust and booking simplicity determining platform visibility. Destination strategies should account for the concentration of bookings through major platforms and consider how on-request friction affects property competitiveness and local inventory appeal.

**Hotels & hospitality** — The report reveals a critical vulnerability: 30% of potential STR customers switch to hotels due to booking complexity. Hotels can capitalise on streamlined reservation processes as a competitive advantage. Conversely, hotels entering STR distribution must match platform user-experience standards and invest in instant availability and transparent booking workflows to compete effectively against entrenched rental platforms.

**Travel tech & distribution** — Platform consolidation and brand effects dominate the STR market. Competitors to Airbnb and Booking.com must address booking friction and transparency gaps, particularly around on-request properties, to retain users. Emerging platforms require differentiation beyond listings—user interface excellence, predictable confirmation times, and clear host-screening processes are material conversion drivers in an experience-sensitive category.

## Methodology and limits
This brief is based on the publicly available summary only; the full report is gated behind Phocuswright's Open Access subscription. The underlying data derives from a comprehensive survey of STR users, hosts and property managers in the US, exploring attitudes, behaviour and market projections from both consumer and business-side perspectives. Specific sample sizes and survey dates are not disclosed in the available text. Figures represent observed survey responses and behaviour metrics rather than projections.

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© Phocuswright for the original report. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel (https://tourismintel.ai). Read the original: https://www.phocuswright.com/Travel-Research/Research-Updates/2022/the-most-used-booking-platforms-for-short-term-rentals-and-what-makes-them-attractive