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STR Global Unlocked with Simon Lehmann: Unfiltered knowledge for the short term rental industry
The short-term rental industry is evolving fast, and Simon Lehmann isn’t afraid to say what others won’t.
STR Global Unlocked is where property managers, STR tech founders, vacation rental investors, and hospitality leaders get real about the business. Each episode breaks down what’s working, what’s broken, and what’s coming next: property management operations, direct bookings, vacation rental software, pricing strategies, mergers and acquisitions in real estate, professional host challenges, and the future of automation, AI, and tech stacks.
Hosted by Simon Lehmann, CEO of AJL Atelier and one of the most trusted voices in the global STR space, the show delivers unfiltered conversations with the people shaping the industry. Simon has decades of experience in vacation rentals, travel tech, and hospitality, including leadership roles at Vacasa Europe, PhocusWright and HomeAway.
If you’re scaling a property management company, building short-term rental technology, investing in vacation rentals, or entering this fast-moving market, this podcast is your seat at the table.
STR Global Unlocked with Simon Lehmann: Unfiltered knowledge for the short term rental industry
013: 2025 Holiday Special - A Year That Changed the STR Conversation
“2025 wasn’t about growth at all costs. It was about margins, execution, and whether your operation actually works.”
— Simon Lehmann
2025 marked a turning point for the short-term rental industry.
Not a year of hype or breakout growth, but a year of recalibration.
In this Holiday Special of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann reflects on the conversations, tensions, and signals that defined the industry throughout the year. These insights are drawn not only from the podcast, but also from in-person events, operator discussions, and real-world industry dialogue across global markets.
This episode captures where short-term rentals stand today, shaped by operators facing tighter margins, more regulation, and rising expectations around execution.
In this episode, we discuss:
- How industry conversations shifted throughout 2025
- Why margins, operations, and disciplined growth moved back to the forefront
- What recurring tensions kept surfacing across operators and leaders
- How technology discussions became more grounded in operational reality
- Where AI entered the conversation in practical, non-theoretical ways
- Why professionalization continues to separate operators across regions
- What remains unresolved as the industry looks ahead
Sponsor offer
Enjoy an exclusive offer from our Founding BMS Partner, Eviivo.
Resources
- AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry.
- Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/]
Stay connected:
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O
- Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts
- Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/