“During the next six months, how is your personal financial situation impacting your travel plans?”
🌟 Thank You for Joining Our Webinar with Julie Gilbert
Home Hosts experienced record attendance at our most recent Members-Only Forum, featuring Julie Gilbert, President of Destination Door County. Julie noted a growing shift toward car travel, which significantly benefits drive-to destinations like Door County.
She also reported that consumer confidence is declining, leading travelers to become more cautious with discretionary spending and to view travel as less affordable. While short-term rentals remain in demand, the combination of ample supply and fewer travelers underscores the importance of optimizing performance within platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. The chart above shows just some of the information Julie Gilbert Shared with us during her webinar.
To learn more about proven methods to optimize your bookings, Home Hosts has previously sponsored members-only forums on this topic. If you’d like access to past recordings or this discussion with Julie Gilbert, email hello@homehosts.org. Also, please support the work of Home Hosts and consider becoming a member.
Need to Boost your Bookings?
If you are looking for support to drive bookings, Destination Door County has numerous opportunities to help you promote your property.
To learn more about DDC’s Co-op advertising options, contact Elizabeth Charney, Marketing and Sales Manager, Elizabeth@doorcounty.com. (920)-743-4456
🏠 Airbnb Pricing Model Update: What Hosts Need to Know
Airbnb has announced a change to its fee structure that currently affects hosts using property management software (PMS). While this update does not impact all hosts yet, industry experts have indicated Airbnb will likely expand the change to everyone on the platform in the future.
What’s changing:
Until now, Airbnb charged both hosts and guests service fees. This meant that if you listed your property at $100, you might earn around $97, while your guest paid closer to $115 after fees.
Under the new single-fee model, Airbnb will deduct a flat 15.5% from your listed price to calculate your payout. For example:
If you set your nightly rate at $115
→ You’ll earn $97.18
→ Guests will also pay $115
What this means for hosts:
- This change only applies to listings connected through property management software at this time.
- You’ll now set prices inclusive of Airbnb’s service fee.
- Guests will see simpler, “what you see is what you pay” pricing.
- You may need to adjust your nightly rates to maintain your target earnings.
Many hosts have voiced frustration about the change, especially since it shifts how pricing and payouts are calculated. Be sure to review your listings and pricing strategy to ensure your rates still align with your goals.
🚨 Host Insight:
What Airbnb’s New 24-Hour Cancellation Policy Means for You
Starting October 1, 2025, Airbnb introduced a 24-hour free cancellation window for all stays under 28 nights. Guests will now have up to 24 hours after booking to cancel for a full refund (including taxes), as long as their check-in date is at least 7 days away.
While this change offers guests added flexibility, it also means hosts may see more last-minute cancellations within that first day after booking. That can make it harder to secure rebookings quickly, especially during busy or short booking windows.
We recommend:
- Keeping an eye on your calendar after new reservations come in, especially for popular weekends.
- Delaying supply orders or prep work until the 24-hour window passes.
- Encouraging direct bookings through your own site (if applicable) for guests who are ready to commit.
A little awareness now can save frustration later – and help you keep those valuable nights booked and confirmed.
🎬 Cherry Pie Christmas is Here — Spotlight on Door County!
The holiday movie “Cherry Pie Christmas” premiered on October 11! 🍒✨
Set right here in Door County, WI, it follows a pastry chef who returns home for the holidays, navigating her dream job, her family’s cherry orchard legacy, a lost cherry pie recipe, and a high school sweetheart.
For Vacation Rental Owners: Movies like this shine a spotlight on Door County as a festive getaway destination. Consider updating your listings, highlighting holiday décor, or promoting seasonal specials – you never know who might be inspired to book a getaway after watching!
Sincerely,
Home Hosts
Building a trusted home-sharing community
Directors:
Janet Slater, President
Karen Jacobson Berndt, Vice President
Holli Kohls, Treasurer
Punkaj Gupta, Secretary
Michael Servais
Elizabeth Scheckel