As the short-term rental industry enters 2026, property managers face a more complex, and more competitive, digital landscape than ever before. AI-driven discovery, shifting search behavior, privacy changes, and rising OTA costs are forcing PMCs to rethink how they attract, convert, and retain guests.
That was the focus of Bluetent’s recent STR Strategy Panel, which brought together experts across marketing, payments, revenue, and technology to answer one critical question:
How do property managers drive sustainable growth in 2026 — not just short-term bookings?
Watch the full webinar:
Marketing Performance Starts with Visibility
In 2026, travelers don’t follow a linear booking path. They research earlier, compare more options, and increasingly rely on AI-powered and conversational search to guide decisions.
According to David Wells, traditional keyword-only SEO is no longer enough.
Today’s high-performing direct booking websites:
- Clearly communicate who you serve and where you operate
- Establish authority through helpful, market-specific content
- Perform well across mobile, speed, and accessibility benchmarks
- Support AI-driven discovery — not just Google blue links
SEO has become a trust-building system, not a ranking tactic.
Turning Traffic into Direct Bookings
Visibility alone doesn’t drive revenue. PMCs must convert attention into action by optimizing the full guest journey — from inspiration to post-stay loyalty.
Successful marketing strategies now focus on:
- Strong value propositions for booking direct
- Flexible options like protection plans, add-ons, and policies
- Messaging aligned to guest intent at every stage
Every touchpoint becomes an opportunity to increase booking value and long-term loyalty.
The Bluetent Advantage
Bluetent helps PMCs align AI-ready SEO, conversion-focused websites, and strategic marketing execution into one integrated growth engine.
Bottom line: PMCs that invest in
smarter marketing systems — not isolated tactics — will lead in 2026.
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