Airbnb 
Welcome to the September edition of the Lodgify Lowdown—your monthly snapshot of the biggest updates shaping the vacation rental industry.
From new policies on Vrbo and Airbnb to tech upgrades, market insights, and evolving travel trends, we’ve rounded up everything you need to stay informed and keep your business ahead of the curve.
Reminder: Most Airbnb hosts using property management software will be switched to a single-fee structure on October 27, 2025. Learn more in last month’s lowdown.
The new big travel trend? #TravelTok
TikTok is taking a bold step into the travel booking space, teaming up with Booking.com to let U.S. users reserve hotels directly within the app. The pilot program, currently available to about 10% of TikTok’s U.S. audience, allows travelers to browse rates, read reviews, and complete bookings without leaving the platform. Creators can also earn commission through TikTok Go by linking hotels and experiences, signaling a new era where social content directly fuels travel purchases.
Building on this, TikTok has also rolled out new ad products designed to capture bookings worldwide. With hashtags like #TravelTok generating billions of views, the platform is leveraging its massive influence to close the gap between inspiration and action. These ads allow destinations and brands to integrate booking links into short-form videos, targeting audiences based on engagement and intent signals.
Host takeaway: As TikTok evolves into a travel distribution channel, property managers should consider how social content and creator partnerships can drive visibility. With Booking.com already integrated, being active on TikTok could become a valuable way to reach younger, travel-hungry audiences.
Anyone home? Airbnb introduces temporary phone numbers
Airbnb has introduced temporary phone numbers for U.S. hosts and guests, giving both parties a way to communicate without sharing personal contact information. These virtual numbers are active from the booking date until two days after checkout and can be used for regular calls and SMS, with no extra cost or internet required.
The feature is designed to enhance privacy and security, ensuring that personal numbers remain confidential while still allowing hosts and guests to manage check-ins, questions, and other communications.
Host takeaway: While temporary numbers strengthen privacy, they also make it harder to retain guests or convert them to direct bookings, as off-platform contact is blocked. Hosts should update quick reply templates and smart lock codes accordingly, and rely on Airbnb Messenger for ongoing communication after the temporary number expires. This change reinforces Airbnb’s role as the primary intermediary between guests and hosts.
In Vrbo news
Stranded guests? Not on Vrbo’s watch
Vrbo is tightening its standards for U.S. hosts starting October 1, introducing steep penalties for cases where guests arrive but can’t access their booked property.
Under the new policy, hosts will be charged 100% of the reservation value—on top of potential listing suspensions and future booking cancellations—if a guest is left stranded due to miscommunication, oversight, or other preventable issues. The move, Vrbo says, is about closing loopholes and making sure travelers feel secure booking on the platform.
For hosts, this rule highlights the importance of double-checking access instructions, lockbox codes, and communication with guests ahead of arrival. Even small slip-ups can now have costly consequences. While exceptions remain in place for true emergencies like government-mandated evacuations, this policy signals a clear push toward accountability.
Host takeaway: Stay proactive with guest communication and property access to avoid penalties—and protect your reputation.
Higher quality standards, more bookings
Expedia Group is also rolling out a wave of upgrades to Vrbo designed to raise quality standards and drive more bookings for hosts.
Announced at its EXPLORE Connect event, the changes include expanded distribution across Expedia’s global ecosystem—giving Vrbo listings greater visibility through its flagship site, 70,000+ business partners, and 160,000 travel agents. Early collaborations with brands like Delta, Alaska Airlines, and Revolut are already putting Vrbo homes in front of new audiences, while a refreshed search experience on Expedia makes it easier for travelers to discover vacation rentals alongside hotels.
For hosts, the updates go beyond visibility. Starting in 2026, Vrbo’s Premier Host recognition will shift from host-level to listing-level, with higher standards for acceptance, cancellations, and guest satisfaction. New AI-powered tools—like review summaries, property Q&A bots, and guest-uploaded photos—are also being introduced to boost trust and streamline booking decisions.
Host takeaway: These upgrades are a signal that Vrbo is doubling down on quality and visibility. Staying competitive will mean maintaining top-notch guest experiences and keeping your listings optimized for maximum exposure.
In Booking.com news
More tours and activities heading Booking.com’s way
Booking.com isn’t only partnering with TikTok: It’s also expanding its tours and activities offering in a big way through a new integration with FareHarbor, adding over 150,000 attractions across thousands of global destinations. From hiking in Spain’s Montserrat mountains to exploring Prague’s Christmas markets, travelers will now have access to a wider variety of experiences directly within the Booking.com platform.
The update also ties into Booking.com’s Genius loyalty program, encouraging members to book not only stays but also activities, flights, and transport. To help travelers navigate the larger selection, Booking.com is deploying AI tools that group similar experiences and enable conversational search.
Host takeaway: With platforms like Booking.com expanding beyond accommodations, guests increasingly expect one-stop-shop travel planning. Highlighting unique local experiences—either by partnering with providers or offering your own—can help your property stand out and capture this growing demand.
Changes in how Booking.com handles taxes for Canadian hosts
Booking.com is making tax compliance easier for Canadian hosts with a new system that automatically calculates, withholds, and remits certain provincial and municipal taxes for eligible bookings.
Starting October 1, 2025, this applies to properties in British Columbia, Quebec, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Halifax, and Ottawa when payments are processed via Booking.com and paid out through virtual credit cards (VCCs). For these bookings, taxes are added to the guest’s payment, withheld by Booking.com, and the host receives only the net amount—removing the need for manual tax remittance for many transactions.
Host takeaway: While this update simplifies administration, hosts should review their tax settings in Booking.com, monitor VCC payouts, and ensure invoices accurately reflect withheld taxes. Learn more about this update here.
Beyond launches its first-ever mobile app
Beyond, the revenue management platform for short-term rentals, has launched its first dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android, giving hosts and property managers real-time control over pricing and bookings while on the go. The app offers a mobile-optimised interface for adjusting rates, applying overrides, and viewing calendars instantly—features that were previously only accessible via mobile browsers.
Host takeaway: With this update, revenue strategies can now be managed anytime, anywhere, making it easier to respond quickly to market changes and maximize profitability.
Reports you won’t want to miss
Lodgify’s U.S. Summer 2025 Report
Here at Lodgify, we’ve released our U.S. Summer 2025 Report, highlighting things like:
- The top 10 most-booked destinations for summer 2025
- Year-over-year trends in daily rates, occupancy, length of stay, and more
- A preview of upcoming market trends
- Actionable tips to help hosts make the most of these insights
One trend from the report? We saw a clear shift in guest preferences toward small-town destinations. But that’s not all—download the report for the rest of the insights!
Download the Summer 2025 Report.
Key Data’s UK Index Report
Key Data has also released its quarterly UK Index Report, revealing a mixed picture for short-term rentals. Across more than 85,000 properties, ADRs rose year on year, while lead times shortened and forward bookings showed modest declines, creating more uncertainty for property managers planning revenue strategies.
To help, Key Data has introduced Enhanced Benchmarking and Rental Projections tools, giving operators better insight into market trends, booking behavior, and property-level revenue potential.
See you next month!
With changing guest behavior, platform updates, and new tools for managing bookings and revenue, the vacation rental landscape continues to evolve fast. Staying informed—and acting quickly—remains the best way to protect your business, boost bookings, and seize emerging opportunities.
We’ll be back next month with all the latest news you need to stay ahead.
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