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
017: Decisions, Not Forecasts: How Professional STR Operators Win in 2026 with Simon Lehmann
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The short-term rental industry is entering a more demanding phase. In 2026, performance will be defined by execution, discipline, and decision-making under pressure.
In this solo episode, Simon Lehmann outlines what professional operators must change, what they must stop doing, and where time and capital should be focused to protect margin and build durable businesses.
The 6 Decisions Shaping STR Performance in 2026
- Quality of earnings – Why unit-level profitability matters more than portfolio growth.
- Pricing – How pricing shifts from a tactical tool to a leadership strategy.
- Operations – Why friction, not branding, defines trust and long-term value.
- Regulation – The transition from headline risk to enforcement and professionalism.
- Risk and insurance – How liability, safety, and preparedness are being repriced.
- Distribution – Why controlled exposure replaces maximum exposure in a changing discovery landscape.
FOUNDING SPONSORS
Founding PMS Partner, eviivo.
eviivo Suite centralizes booking management, payments, automation, and OTA connectivity for 28,000 accommodation providers.
👉 Access the exclusive offer from eviivo here
Founding Operations Partner, Breezeway.
Breezeway brings operational workflows, service execution, and standards together in one platform for hospitality operators.
👉 Get started with Breezeway here
Founding RMS Partner, PriceLabs.
PriceLabs centralizes automated pricing and market intelligence for property managers operating at scale
👉 Start your 30-day free trial with Pricelabs here
Founding Insurance Partner, Pikl.
Pikl enables insurance-powered flexible cancellation and new revenue models for short-term rental operators.
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/