On April 21, 2025, Airbnb officially launched its Total Price Display globally, a major update that shows the full cost of a listing—including cleaning and service fees—directly in search results. For hosts and property managers, this is more than a user interface change; it’s a wake-up call.
With fees now front and centre, particularly for short stays, excessive cleaning charges could push potential guests away. This update responds to regulatory pressures like the U.S. FTC’s Junk Fees Rule and signals Airbnb’s push for a more transparent, OTA-style booking experience.
For professionals, this means:
Rethinking how prices are structured and communicated
Bundling fees more effectively
Aligning direct booking sites with Airbnb’s standards to maintain guest trust and visibility
This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about preparing for a more tightly integrated Airbnb ecosystem—with upselling, loyalty features, and tighter guest control on the horizon.
While Airbnb sharpens its pricing game, hotels are focused on AI adoption—and the stakes are high. At the Mews Unfold event, hospitality leaders shared how AI is being used to surface bite-sized guest insights, drive upsells, and improve guest personalisation.
But there’s a catch: success depends on clean data and empowered teams.
Many hotels still struggle with outdated, fragmented systems. Tools like Glean and internal policy bots are useful, but adoption lags due to lack of training and internal resistance. Companies like Choice Hotels are taking a thoughtful approach: combining AI deployment with employee education and small-scale experimentation to build a culture of innovation.
The bottom line? AI isn’t a magic switch—it’s a long-term strategy. For it to truly deliver ROI, hospitality operators must:
Clarify business goals
Clean up operational data
Encourage experimentation without risking daily operations
From Airbnb’s push for transparent pricing to hotels tackling AI integration, the hospitality industry is evolving fast. To stay competitive, short-term rental operators must adapt—by refining their pricing strategy and exploring how AI can enhance their operations and guest experience.
Ready to elevate your direct booking game? Visit the Boostly website for the tools, strategies, and support you need to succeed in 2025 and beyond. And remember: Book Direct.
