The Short-Term Rental Guest: Trends, Insights and Research
At a glance
- STR guests spend $3,269 annually on travel versus $2,138 for non-STR guests; 56% prioritise travel highly compared to 41% of non-STR travellers.
- 57% of STR guests prefer new destinations; 47% were first-time visitors on their last trip versus 37% of non-STR guests.
- Average STR trip length is 6.2 nights versus 5.5 nights for non-STR guests; 61% of STR guests worked remotely on leisure trips.
- 43% choose STRs for extra space; 42% cite value; 41% value kitchen/laundry access; hotels lead in customer service at 72% perception.
- Strong reviews (35%), high-speed Wi-Fi (31%) and scenic views (30%) are top competitive features; price, location and value drive booking choice.
What the report covers
PhocusWright surveyed 907 US leisure travellers who booked short-term rentals in the past year, 483 STR hosts and 13 property managers to understand guest preferences, booking behaviour and expectations. Sponsored by Expedia Group, the research examines how STR guests differ from hotel guests, what drives STR selection and where hosts can improve competitiveness through service and listing optimisation.
Key findings
STR guests represent a high-value traveller segment with stronger spending propensity and travel frequency. According to the survey, STR guests spend an average of $3,269 per person annually on leisure travel, 53% more than non-STR guests' $2,138. Furthermore, 56% of STR guests place high priority on travel and tourism when allocating discretionary income, versus 41% of non-STR guests. Longer trips and international travel participation further distinguish this segment.
STR guests exhibit stronger wanderlust and exploratory behaviour than traditional hotel guests. The research finds 57% of STR guests prefer seeking new destinations rather than revisiting places, compared to 43% of non-STR guests. On their most recent trip, 47% of STR guests were first-time visitors, versus 37% of non-STR guests. International travel participation is higher: 44% of STR guests travelled internationally in the past year compared to 29% of non-STR guests. This suggests hosts should capitalise on guests' desire for discovery through activity suggestions and local recommendations.
Trip duration and remote work create amenity opportunities for hosts. STR guests take longer stays, averaging 6.2 nights compared to 5.5 nights for non-STR guests. Roughly 61% of STR guests took a leisure trip involving remote work in the past 12 months, significantly higher than 48% for non-STR guests. Hosts benefit from highlighting remote-work-friendly spaces and amenities in listings to capture this growing segment.
Space and value drive STR selection, but hotels retain service advantages. When booking an STR, guests prioritise additional space (43%), enhanced value (42%), kitchen and laundry access (41%), multiple bedrooms (40%) and convenient location (38%). However, 72% of STR guests and 85% of non-STR guests perceive hotels as superior in customer service. Attentiveness, professionalism and issue resolution are identified as hotel strengths, creating opportunities for STR hosts who can match hotel-level responsiveness.
Competitive differentiation centres on reviews, connectivity and unique character. Among comparable properties, strong ratings and reviews (35%) emerge as the most influential booking factor, followed by high-speed Wi-Fi (31%) and scenic views (30%). The report notes 89% of STR guests prefer accommodations with interesting design, and 85% agree STRs offer more character than hotels. However, 42% of STR guests perceive hotels as having superior listing accuracy compared to 17% for STRs, highlighting a critical gap hosts must address.
Key numbers
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average per-person annual household travel spend | $3,269 (STR guests); $2,138 (non-STR guests) |
| STR guests who prioritise travel highly | 56% |
| STR guests preferring new destinations | 57% |
| First-time visitors on last trip | 47% (STR guests); 37% (non-STR guests) |
| International travel in past year | 44% (STR guests); 29% (non-STR guests) |
| Average trip length | 6.2 nights (STR guests); 5.5 nights (non-STR guests) |
| STR guests who worked remotely on leisure trips | 61% |
| STR guests perceiving hotels as superior in customer service | 72% |
Figures as published in the source; forecasts and survey results are labelled as such in the note.
Why it matters
DMOs & destinations
Nearly half of STR guests are first-time visitors seeking new destinations, with 44% travelling internationally. This represents a prime audience for destination marketing. DMOs should recognise that STR listings drive exploratory travel and partner with hosts to highlight local experiences. The report emphasises that first-time visitors value curated recommendations, creating opportunities for post-booking engagement.
Hotels & hospitality
Hotels hold a service advantage (72% of STR guests perceive superior customer service) but face direct competition on price, space and value. The report shows 82% of STR guests compare both lodging types when booking. Hotels should emphasise attentiveness, professionalism and issue resolution to reinforce their service edge, whilst recognising STRs appeal to longer-stay, higher-spend travellers seeking space and kitchen facilities.
Travel tech & distribution
Review quality and listing accuracy are critical differentiators: 35% of STR guests cite strong reviews as the top deciding factor, yet 42% perceive hotels as more accurate. Platforms should prioritise verified reviews, detailed descriptions, photos and amenities clarity. High-speed Wi-Fi ranks second (31%) as a competitive feature, highlighting the importance of content quality in capturing high-value traveller segments.
Methodology and limits
PhocusWright conducted an online survey of 907 qualified US leisure travellers who had stayed in paid short-term rentals at least once in the past 12 months (August–September 2024), achieving ±3.3% error margin at 95% confidence. A parallel survey of 483 US STR hosts was fielded over the same period. Thirteen in-depth interviews with property management professionals were also conducted. The guest survey respondent pool is projectable to the US STR traveller population with internet access.
Official source
The report is © Expedia Group. This brief is an original editorial summary by TourismIntel — it quotes only figures published in the source and never reproduces the document.
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