Industry Trends and Platform Updates
- Short-term rentals continue to outperform hotels globally, with recent data showing rental units achieving higher RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) compared to hotels in Q2 2025.
- However, overall market growth is plateauing as the sector matures. September occupancy has already dropped 11% compared to last year, and booking windows have tightened, with guests waiting longer to confirm reservations, likely due to increased price sensitivity.
- Platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, and VRBO emphasize sustainability and eco-certification—listing properties with green features or certifications like LEED or Energy Star is increasingly important to gain visibility and bookings.
- Guests are seeking more eco-friendly, tech-enabled, and unique stay experiences, with platforms rolling out green and niche badges and enhanced integration with management tools.
- Truvi (previously SUPERHOG) has expanded partnerships for guest screening, damage protection, and streamlined booking risk management in 2025, directly integrating with Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com, bolstering trust and security for operators.
Legislative and Regulatory Updates in Kenya and East Africa
- The Kenyan Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) has registered more than 8,000 Airbnbs nationally in 2025 and is actively cracking down on unregistered or non-compliant rentals. Registration is now mandatory, with TRA collaborating with Airbnb to ensure all listed properties meet regulatory standards.
- Enhanced safety requirements include installation of CCTV in communal spaces, mandatory guest ID recording, and registration with the TRA. Inspections by government officers and TRA are ongoing to ensure standards are met.
- Nairobi County Assembly passed a motion for county-level regulation of short-term rentals, aiming to curb criminal misuse of rentals and improve safety, with a focus on strict licensing and security camera provisions. Similar efforts are ongoing in Kisumu County.
- Across East Africa, authorities are increasingly seeking data from OTAs like Airbnb to ensure tax compliance, sector standards, and guest safety, with policy frameworks in proposal to manage sector growth and revenue collection.
Technology and Management Insights
- Guesty, the property management platform, continues expanding its integrations marketplace with third-party tools for operations, communications, and revenue optimization, allowing hosts to manage Airbnb, Booking.com, VRBO, and other direct channels from one dashboard.
- Risk management providers like Truvi have become critical, offering automation in guest screening, insurance, and deposit management—responding to market demand for safer, more efficient booking experiences.
- Automation of cleaning, maintenance, and guest experience platforms is a major industry theme, driven by a need for cost control and reliable quality as the sector stabilizes post-pandemic.
East Africa Market Outlook
- Short-term rentals are being pivoted as core components of national tourism strategy in Kenya, with government and tourism associations working together to accredit, enforce standards, and promote the sector internationally.
- Demand in urban centers like Nairobi remains high, but operators are under intense scrutiny to comply with new licensing, tax, and security obligations or risk removal from booking platforms and legal penalties.
This week underscores intensifying regulation in Kenya and broader East Africa, the mainstreaming of sustainable rental features on global platforms, and the centrality of risk management and automation in platform strategy and property operations.