We tackle two key trends shaping the summer 2025 travel season: how to stay competitive with dynamic pricing and why incentive travel is evolving to meet the preferences of modern employees.
Summer 2025: Why “Set It and Forget It” Pricing Won’t Cut It
As peak season ramps up, short-term rental operators are entering a volatile booking environment shaped by shifting guest behaviours, shorter lead times, and unpredictable occupancy dips. According to PriceLabs’ Summer 2025 Pricing Playbook, success this year will depend on one word: agility.
Industry experts across the U.S. and U.K. are reporting a few major trends:
Shorter booking windows, with last-minute reservations now dominating many markets
Occupancy dips following major holidays, even in popular destinations
Weather disruptions that trigger abrupt changes in guest demand
To stay ahead, operators are encouraged to adopt flexible minimum stay rules, highlight summer-specific amenities, and track hyper-local events that could influence spikes or slumps in bookings. Rather than treating your pricing tool as a background feature, hosts should be logging in at least twice a week, reviewing pacing against past performance, and being ready to override prices for slower weekends or local event-driven demand surges.
The takeaway? Dynamic pricing is only as effective as the strategy behind it. To win in this increasingly experience-driven landscape, hosts must actively engage with their data, fine-tune their approach, and prepare for real-time adjustments.
Incentive Travel: Group Trips vs. Personalised Rewards
In the corporate world, another travel-related debate is gaining steam—what’s more motivating: group incentive travel or customised solo rewards? According to a new report by the Incentive Research Foundation, 94% of employees report being highly motivated by flexible, personalised trips they can take on their own schedule.
These bespoke reward experiences range from family-friendly Disney packages to culinary adventures with private chefs, or even eco-luxury safaris with branded gear—all curated by the employer. This shift is especially notable among Gen X professionals, many of whom prefer autonomy over traditional team-based travel.
However, companies are hesitant to abandon group incentive trips altogether. Group programs continue to deliver measurable value through:
Team bonding and shared experiences
Streamlined logistics and planning control
Easier oversight of safety, budgets, and brand messaging
For many organisations, group travel offers a strong return on investment, particularly when designed as a celebration of culture or collective success. The challenge? Striking the right balance between personalisation and scale.
The future of incentive travel may lie in hybrid models—offering solo travel rewards for top performers, while still hosting team-based experiences to reinforce culture and foster collaboration.
What STR Hosts Should Take from This
If you’re using a pricing tool like PriceLabs, check in regularly and treat it as a live part of your business, not an automated afterthought.
Monitor local calendars, weather patterns, and competitor trends to outpace passive operators.
Keep an eye on incentive travel trends—especially if you cater to corporate groups or remote-working professionals who might be travelling on employer-sponsored rewards. Offering customisable packages or team-friendly amenities can make your property a top pick for both.
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.