Insights and key takeaways from GuestyVal 2025

EMEA/Mexico: This years’ GuestyVal was held in Mexico City [10-12 September] bringing together influential figures from across the global short-term and vacation rental industry to share insights on the key challenges facing the sector

The three-day event, held in the heart of Mexico City, opened with a welcome reception at Hacienda San Juan, followed by two packed days of conference sessions featuring speakers, founders and industry leaders. The event concluded with an afterparty at Toledo Rooftop, offering delegates a chance to continue conversations in a more relaxed setting.

Here are some of the key highlights resulting from the discussions at GuestyVal 2025:

Market insights and global trends

Guesty CEO Amiad Soto opened the conference by reflecting on the company’s expansion journey and the wider opportunities emerging for property managers. He highlighted how the industry continues to mature and attract new investment, while also pointing to untapped market segments across Latin America and North America.

In a keynote on travel trends, Humberto Pacheco, director of homes supply for Americas and Luxe at Airbnb, addressed the intersection of housing, affordability and tourism. He noted how STRs are generating significant tax revenue and supporting local businesses, adding that large-scale events provide opportunities to build supply, influence regulators and channel wealth into tourism.

Guesty COO and president, Vered Raviv Schwarz, delivered a wide-ranging overview of macro trends shaping the sector. “Disruption has become the new norm for travellers,” she said, pointing to the twin pressures of market saturation and heightened demand. Inflation, she added, remains a key concern for guests, while 46 per cent of travellers now book closer to check-in, a sign of consumer caution that is reshaping pricing dynamics. Schwarz concluded with four key takeaways for operators:

• Build seasonal pricing agility to counter low periods

• Manage reviews proactively

• Strengthen risk preparation in all forms

• Leverage data and AI to scale and adjust strategies.

Winning owners and building trust

A session on “the art of winning owners” brought together Caroline Ramos [Host and Keep], Ric Kenworthy [Travli Hospitality Co.] and Marianne Heder [PMI]. The panellists explored how technology can streamline operations, optimise services and ultimately strengthen relationships with owners, a critical step to securing new listings and repeat business.

Guesty CMO Kate Cox moderated a panel with Michelle Marquis, Marianne Heder and Brandy Canaley on the role of data in creating lasting guest and owner relationships. The discussion emphasised that retention hinges on building trust and demonstrating value consistently. “Owner retention is directly linked to building trust,” Canaley said.

Scaling strategies and investment outlook

Drawing on more than 30 years of hospitality experience, Alloggio founder Will Creedon joined Sean Brenuer to share insights into business growth and market positioning. Both underlined the importance of agility and readiness to adapt to new traveller behaviours.

Guesty’s director of sales for EMEA hosted a further session on “winning strategies with global leaders”, featuring Creedon, Gonçalo Ribeiro [Joivy] and Kamil Krzyzanowski [Renters.pl]. The panellists shared the lessons learned from scaling, stressing that operators should develop multiple growth plans and prioritise the use of data and AI. “Measuring data is the key to success,” Krzyzanowski concluded.

Technology, AI and revenue growth

The role of technology ran through much of the event. JJ King [Beachside VR] and Simon Seroussi discussed how operators can fully leverage their tech stack to drive efficiency and optimise setup, before a specialist session outlined ten actionable AI tactics to enhance guest experiences and strengthen profitability.

Revenue optimisation and risk management were also examined in a panel with Dunniela Kaufman [Sojourn], Jason Anastasinis [TravelStaytion] and Phil Cooper [Ohana]. The speakers shared strategies for diversifying income streams, tapping into niche markets, mitigating risk and balancing the costs of expansion.

GuestyVal 2025 reinforced its position as a key gathering for the short-term rental industry, offering a mix of networking, thought leadership and practical takeaways. From macro trends to owner relationships and AI-driven strategies, the discussions in Mexico City highlighted the importance of agility, trust and data-led decision making as the sector continues to navigate challenges and expansion.

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