Lodixa had the privilege of contributing to this international study by PriceLabs by sharing its experience of the Canadian market. We are pleased to see that several findings align exactly with what we observe daily with the owners we support.
An international-scale study
The PriceLabs report is the first international study specifically dedicated to short-term rental managers operating between 5 and 50 accommodations.
Some figures demonstrate its scope:
- More than 750 managers participated in the survey;
- Respondents from 15 countries;
- A study conducted in 6 languages;
Even though this study primarily targets professional managers, several findings directly concern independent owners who manage their own accommodations.
This study is also based on 37 in-depth interviews with managers of tourist accommodations from 15 countries, including Jeremy Kohl, co-founder of Lodixa, who shared his experience of the Canadian market.
Tourist rental has become a real business
The first observation is clear: short-term rental is no longer just a supplementary income for the majority of professionals.
The study reveals that:
- 71% work full-time in this activity;
- 53% seek to achieve financial independence through their business;
- Their priority is not to reduce their workload, but rather to increase their income.
Even when owning just one chalet or one condo, the reality is the same: travelers now compare your accommodation with those of professional managers.
They particularly evaluate:
- Your rates;
- Your photos;
- Your reviews;
- Your response speed;
- Your availability.
In other words, the competition has become professionalized.
Managing alone quickly becomes demanding.
Contrary to what many imagine, professionals in short-term rental generally do not have large teams.
The report reveals that:
- 35% say they are "satisfied, but exhausted";
- 20% say they are stressed or frustrated;
- Only 16% claim to feel truly fulfilled in their daily lives.
Source: PriceLabs Global Property Manager Report 2026
The main sources of pressure remain the same:
- Communications with travelers;
- Administration;
- Accounting;
- Daily operations management.
These findings also speak to independent owners, who often have to manage everything themselves.
Price has become a strategic lever
The report shows that from about ten accommodations, it becomes nearly impossible to manage rates manually effectively.
But this reality does not only concern large managers.
Even with a single accommodation, a poor pricing strategy can have significant consequences.
The study also cites the example of a manager who lost nearly $10,000 due to a configuration error in their rates.
On a smaller scale, setting a price too low during a festival or maintaining a rate too high during a quieter period can represent several hundred, even several thousand dollars lost over a season.
Technology now makes the difference
One of the most striking findings of the study is that operators who use the right tools generally achieve better results.
Source: PriceLabs Global Property Manager Report 2026
They are notably:
- Twice as likely to say they enjoy their work;
- More optimistic about the future of their business;
- More focused on advanced optimization tools rather than simple automation.
Technology obviously does not replace the owner.
On the contrary, it allows them to make better decisions, faster, based on reliable data.
Customer reviews remain the biggest concern
Interestingly, the main concern of professionals is neither regulation, nor prices, nor artificial intelligence.
Close to 79 % of respondents identify negative reviews as their main source of concern.
Source: PriceLabs Global Property Manager Report 2026
One bad comment can affect occupancy rates, visibility on booking platforms, and consequently, the revenue generated.
Providing an excellent customer experience remains one of the best investments a property owner can make.
Tools are no longer just for saving time
For a long time, technological tools were mainly used to automate certain repetitive tasks.
Today, expectations have changed.
Managers are now looking for solutions that can optimize their listings, analyze their performance, track their revenue, and provide them with reliable data to make better decisions.
Technology is no longer just an efficiency tool: it is becoming a true management tool.
This vision perfectly aligns with that of Lodixa.
Dynamic pricing is an excellent performance lever, but it is only part of the equation.
To achieve the best results, it is also essential to understand the performance of one's accommodation, analyze market trends, track revenue changes, and adjust strategy throughout the seasons.
That is why our support is not limited to the rate management. We also provide performance analysis, personalized recommendations, and reports through Opti-Stay that allow owners to make informed decisions and continuously improve their results.
In summary
This study confirms a trend we have observed for several years at Lodixa: the owners who achieve the best results are not necessarily those who have the most beautiful accommodations, but those who make their decisions based on reliable data and appropriate tools.
In an increasingly competitive market, dynamic pricing, performance analysis, and regular monitoring now allow independent owners to remain competitive against increasingly professional managers.
It is precisely this approach that we implement every day with our clients.