25/10/2026
Back from ASTRA 2026 with a notebook full of insights, ideas and inspiration! 🏡
Here are my key takeaways from the ASTRA - Australia & New Zealand Short Term Rental Association Conference for anyone hosting or managing short stays, particularly here in North Queensland.
🤖 AI is changing how guests find us.
Guests are starting to ask AI tools things like "a house near the beach in Townsville that takes dogs" instead of simply scrolling through listings.
Listings that clearly describe who they suit, what's nearby and what makes the experience unique may have an advantage as AI-powered travel searches evolve.
My tip? Ask ChatGPT or Claude about accommodation in your own area and see what comes up!
🌏 Travel is growing, and short stays are a big part of it.
Todd Lacey from Booking.com shared that the global travel market is projected to grow from around $1.2 trillion to $1.75 trillion, with short-term rentals now accounting for 38% of Booking.com's business.
Domestic travel is also on the rise, presenting exciting opportunities for regional destinations like ours.
🐾 What guests want is shifting.
Dr Thomas Sigler's research highlighted the growing popularity of pet-friendly listings, while Superhost status showed the strongest association with listing activity.
Slowcations, off-the-beaten-path experiences and medium-term stays are also emerging trends worth watching.
💰 Know your numbers.
A recurring theme across sessions was the importance of profitability. Understand your real costs, check every invoice and keep operating money and booking money separate.
One speaker summed it up perfectly: you don't always need more properties, sometimes you just need better systems.
🌟 Hospitality is a feeling.
Ethan Brown's session on lessons from leading hotel brands was a personal highlight.
Luxury hotels sell a feeling, not just a bed. And often, it's the simplest touches that make the biggest difference. Think seamless check-in, easily accessible Wi-Fi details and a thoughtfully prepared house manual.
His advice? Automate, but don't complicate.
🔐 Protect your business.
Cyber security was another important topic, with practical advice around incident response plans, data breach policies and cyber insurance. Some protection measures can cost as little as two coffees a month. A small investment for greater peace of mind.
A big congratulations to all the award winners, and to ASTRA for its exceptional leadership in our industry.
It was also wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces and meet so many passionate people throughout the conference. I'm heading home with plenty of ideas to put into action over the coming weeks!
If you're a fellow host, particularly here in North Queensland, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment or send me a message. Let's compare notes!