The shifting dynamics of the owner–manager relationship
Nearly 73% of property managers say owner retention is their top priority in 2026. In a market where trust now outweighs growth, this article explores why clarity, context and consistency have become the real differentiators and what that means for scaling without eroding confidence.
Fresh from the press
Listing sites/OTAs
Airbnb vs Booking.com: 8.7M Listings Across 240 Countries (2026 Data)
A data breakdown of global vacation rental listings across Airbnb and Booking.com, and what it means for property managers choosing where to list.
Listing sites/OTAs
The Great Convergence: Booking.com vs. Airbnb in 2026
The travel industry’s duopoly reaches a "Great Convergence" in 2026 as Booking.com’s 7.1M listings officially challenge Airbnb’s dominance. This report analyzes the "Supply Paradox" how Booking.com captures nearly 90% of Airbnb’s volume through superior occupancy efficiency, while providing property managers with tactical playbooks to protect margins against shifting commission structures.
Listing sites/OTAs
Airbnb’s 2026 Strategy: Global 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' and Pay-for-Placement Discounts
Short Description Airbnb is reshaping its 2026 booking strategy with two major updates. First, the $0-upfront 'Reserve Now, Pay Later' option is expanding globally to drive conversions, especially for premium listings, requiring hosts to adopt flexible cancellation policies. Second, a new pilot program allows hosts to offer discounts to highly rated guests in exchange for boosted search visibility. These changes give hosts new yield management tools but require careful margin analysis.
SCALE Shorts
Must see videos
Upcoming SCALE conferences
Must hear podcasts
Podcasts
The episode where SCALE co-founder, Damian Sheridan interviewed Robin Bass, founder of Premier Properties USVI.
Off The SCALE Podcast Episode 12: Robin Bass, Premier Properties USVI
The episode where SCALE co-founder, Damian Sheridan interviewed Robin Bass, founder of Premier Properties USVI.
Brand management
The episode where SCALE co-founder, Damian Sheridan interviewed Sab Mulligan, Head of Team and Brand Builder at Zzzing.
Off The SCALE Podcast Episode 5: Sab Mulligan, Zzzing
The episode where SCALE co-founder, Damian Sheridan interviewed Sab Mulligan, Head of Team and Brand Builder at Zzzing.