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Global: Almost three quarters of short-term rental experience bookings are made before check-in, according to new data from digital concierge platform Localbird.
The company’s State of STR Experiences 2026 report analysed booking data from more than 7,500 short-term rentals across the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica between July 2025 and June 2026.
Localbird found that 74 per cent of experience bookings were made before guests arrived at their accommodation. Higher-value activities, including private chefs, boat charters and guided tours, were generally booked further in advance.
The findings suggest that pre-arrival communications could help property managers reach guests before their plans and budgets have been finalised.
Guests staying at properties charging at least $500 per night were the most likely to spend on additional services. Among this group, 44 per cent engaged with a digital concierge and 18 per cent completed a booking, with experience spending averaging $1,000 per stay.
At properties charging less than $100 per night, 35 per cent of guests engaged with the concierge and four per cent made a booking.
Services delivered at the accommodation recorded average order values 27 per cent higher than experiences taking place elsewhere. Private chef bookings averaged $464.
Transportation represented 39 per cent of experience bookings but generated 18 per cent of revenue. Adventure and land tours accounted for 16 per cent of bookings, followed by water activities at 13 per cent and vehicle rentals at nine per cent.
Families represented 31 per cent of digital concierge engagement, while groups of at least five adults accounted for 24 per cent.
Ben Levy, co-founder and CEO of Localbird, said: “The guest experience doesn’t start at check-in, it starts the moment someone hits ‘book’.”
Highlights
- Localbird analysed booking data from more than 7,500 short-term rentals.
- The data covered the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica from July 2025 to June 2026.
- Seventy-four per cent of experience bookings were made before check-in.
- At properties charging at least $500 per night, 18 per cent of guests booked an experience.
- Experience spending at premium properties averaged $1,000 per stay.
- In-property services recorded average order values 27 per cent higher than external activities.
- Private chef bookings averaged $464.
- Transportation generated the largest booking volume but a smaller share of revenue.
