The State of STR Experiences 2026
Short-term rentals are no longer competing on accommodation alone, they're competing on the quality of the entire trip. Localbird analyzed thousands of experience bookings across the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica to show when guests book, what they choose, who spends the most, and where the revenue actually sits.
Experiences are becoming part of the stay
From airport transfers and private chefs to guided tours, wellness treatments and equipment rentals, experiences are becoming another part of the hospitality offering. For property managers, they represent an opportunity to enhance the guest journey while unlocking meaningful ancillary revenue without adding operational complexity.
One finding stands above the rest: the more guests spend on accommodation, the more they spend beyond it. Premium guests are significantly more likely to purchase experiences, spend more per booking, and return for additional services. For higher-end properties, local experiences have shifted from optional extras to expected parts of the stay.
Four trends shaping the next phase of the STR guest journey
What the data reveals about demand, timing, categories, and why the property itself is becoming the venue.
Where demand concentrates, and how much it is worth
Which guest segments engage with a concierge, how engagement climbs with nightly rate, and why premium guests are worth 6× more per customer than budget guests.
Why booking volume and revenue don't match
Transportation takes 39.1% of bookings but only 18.2% of revenue. See the full category split and which experiences to promote to capture more of the travel budget.
The window that closes at check-in
Nearly three in four experiences are requested before arrival. Learn which categories are decided early, which are booked in-stay, and how to adapt pre-arrival communication.
The rental itself is becoming the venue
In-property services, private chefs, in-home spa, massage, carry order values 27% above experiences delivered elsewhere. See how to turn the property into part of the destination.
"Some of the highest-value experiences are no longer taking place outside the rental. They're happening inside it."
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