“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

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/