The Next Frontier of Short-Term Rentals: Building, Investing, Operating at Scale w/ the CEO of AirDNA

In this episode of Behind the Stays, Zach Busekrus sits down with Rohit Bezewada, CEO of AirDNA, to unpack what may be the most important shift yet in short-term rentals.

From Airbnb’s evolving relationship with hotels to the fading “thrill” of discovery, Rohit shares what happens when a marketplace grows up — and what comes next for brand building, investing, and operating at scale. Drawing on his experience at Uber and now at the helm of one of the industry’s most influential data platforms, Rohit offers a clear-eyed view of a sector moving from side hustle to institutional asset class.
The conversation explores:

• Why Airbnb’s move toward hotels signals a deeper strategic shift
• How short-term rentals are professionalizing — and who benefits most
• What the data reveals that headlines miss
• The coming consolidation of STR tech and the real role of AI
• Why confidence, not just inventory, is the next competitive edge

This is a candid, future-facing conversation about where short-term rentals are headed — and how the next frontier will be built.

Behind the Stays is brought to you by Journey — a first-of-its-kind loyalty program that brings together an alliance of the world’s top independently owned and operated stays and allows travelers to earn points and perks on boutique hotels, vacation rentals, treehouses, ski chalets, glamping experiences and so much more.

Your host is Zach Busekrus, Head of the Journey Alliance. If you are a hospitality entrepreneur who has a stay, or a collection of stays with soul, we’d love for you to apply to join our Alliance at journey.com/alliance.