Skip to main content
Guest ExperienceRevenueUpsells

Vacation Rental Upsells Data and Trends [2025]

By February 18, 2025No Comments

Unlocking Revenue Growth in the Short-Term Rental Industry: A Data-Driven Approach to Upsells

Today’s travelers no longer seek just a place to sleep – they crave immersive local culture, authentic experiences, and personalized touches. The 2025 travel trends are clear: nearly half of travelers choose where to stay based on the experiences available nearby. While price sensitivity is another key trend, hospitality professionals should focus on ways to stand out. Otherwise they risk falling into the trap of pricing wars. Local experiences offer this opportunity – enhancing the guest experience and setting properties apart.

Yet, our analysis of 4,394 short-term rental operators reveals a critical gap: 82.4% of vacation rentals do not offer upsells.

If guests want experiences, why aren’t we giving them what they want? By skipping upsells, operators are missing out on guest satisfaction, loyalty, repeat bookings, and revenue growth.

Why Upsells Matter in Short-Term Rentals in 2025

Methodology: Actionable Insights from Global Data

We analyzed 4,394 vacation rental businesses globally (Q1-Q4 2024) through direct booking site audits tracking upsell mentions.
Note: Early check-in, late checkout, and mid-stay cleaning services – operational upsells – were excluded to avoid skewing results.

Sample Breakdown:

  • Regions: North America (67%), Europe (28%), Asia + Middle East (2%), Oceania (2%), Latin America (1%)
  • Company Sizes: Small (1–9 listings) – 4%; Medium (10–29 listings) – 46%; Growth (30–99 listings) – 33%; Large (100-250) – 16%; Scale up (250+) – 3%

Key Findings: Bridging the Gap Between Guest Preferences and Revenue Opportunities

After a detailed analysis of data from over 4,000 short-term rental operators, here’s what we discovered.

1. Low Adoption, High Potential

Only 17.6% of short-term rental properties offer upsells, despite strong demand for local experiences.

Vacation Rental Managers Upsell Adoption

💡Takeaway: With 82.4% of operators not offering upsells, there’s a clear opportunity to stand out and boost additional revenue.

What’s stopping short-term rental hosts from implementing local experiences as add-on offers in their businesses?

The main barriers for implementing upsells in vacation rentals are:

  • Logistics complexities
  • Hesitation about the impact on overall guest experience
  • Payments and accounting insecurities
  • Uncertain ROI
    Each of these concerns can be resolved with strategic planning, SOPs and the right systems in place. Read more about busting the common myth about vacation rental upsells.

2. Europe Leads with Experiential Upsells

  • Europe dominates due to high density of vacation rental markets in Portugal, Spain & France. Additionally the add-on offers align with local culture and heritage.
  • North America follows, with strong representation in Florida, California, and Hawaii. These regions cater to business travelers, families and multi-generational stays.
  • Asia and Middle East target high-net-worth guests seeking memorable stays.
Vacation Rental Upsells Geography Breakdown

💡 Takeaway: While Europe sets the standard, regions like Asia and Latin America have untapped potential to leverage upsells.

3. Growth-Stage Companies Win with Upsells

Vacation Rental Upsells Company Size Breakdown

Growth-stage STR companies (30–99 listings) lead in upsells, while very small and enterprise-level firms lag behind. 

💡Takeaway: Companies managing 30–250 listings see the biggest upsell benefits – high enough volume for revenue impact, yet flexible enough to keep operations under control.

4.Transportation & Local Activities: The Most Offered Upsells

(What successful STRs are selling – and where you’re missing out)

Top 10 Most Offered Upsells in Vacation Rentals

💡 Takeaway: Transportation and local experiences are the most popular additional services in short-term rentals. However, wellness, private chefs and event packages can drive high margins, as they are the most expensive add-ons.

5. Regional Upsell Revenue Hotspots

(Where to double down)

🌍 Europe

  • Top Upsell – Cultural Tours – 65% adoption.
  • Underused Gem – Eco-Transport (e-bikes, solar boats) – only 12% offer, growing demand.

🌍 North America

  • Top Upsell – Family Bundles (golf carts, beach gear) – 40% adoption.
  • Underused Gem – Pet-Friendly Stays – 18% offer, growing demand.

🌍 Asia/Middle East

  • Top Upsell – Luxury Transport (helicopters, yachts) – 50% premiums.
  • Underused Gem – Cultural Workshops (pottery, cooking) – 5% adoption, growing demand.

🌍 Latin America

  • Top Upsell – Adventure Packages (ATV tours) – 55% adoption.

💡 Takeaway: Tailor upsells to regional demand – cultural tours and eco-transport in Europe. Family bundles and pet-friendly stays in North America. Luxury experiences in Asia/Middle East, and adventure packages in Latin America.

Revenue Impact: Properties with upsells maintain higher RevPAR during downturns, driven by guest loyalty and repeat bookings.

Recommendations: Elevate Guest Engagement and Profit Margins

  1. Don’t Miss Out on Popular Add-ons
  • Collaborate with local businesses for experiences available in the area, spa packages, local tours, etc. to enhance authenticity.
  • Offer transportation services – airport transfers or car rentals to air travelers or micro mobility options for convenience and sustainability.
  • In high-end properties provide luxury experiences to elevate stays.
  1. Optimize Upsells with Technology
  • Integrate Upsells Seamlessly – Enhance the digital guest experience by incorporating upsells into guest messaging and your guest app.
  • Simplify Booking & Payment – Ensure a frictionless upsell purchasing experience with seamless booking and secure payment options.
  • Automate & Time Your Offers – Send upsell messages at key moments in the guest journey when they provide the most value.
  • Personalize with Smart Conditions – Tailor upsells based on guest data (e.g., offer pet-friendly amenities only to travelers with pets).
  • Leverage AI for Efficiency – Use artificial intelligence to quickly generate attractive upsell offers and local guidebooks.
  1. Target Regional Preferences
  • Europe: Promote cultural immersion with cooking classes or historical walks.
  • North America: Highlight family-centric upsells like babysitting or romance packages.
  • Asia/Middle East: Market VIP concierge and special occasions services for luxury seekers.Of course, you know your market and your guests best. Use your expertise to select experiences and add-ons that will attract potential guests, enhance their stays, and maximize your revenue.

Building Your Upselling Strategy

The short-term rental industry’s path to revenue growth lies in blending operational efficiency with guest-centric innovation. By integrating upselling strategies that align with guest preferences and local attractions, property managers can unlock new revenue streams. This is while crafting unforgettable overall guest experiences.

It is clear that upsells and add-ons is not something to be excluded from the vacation rental industry outlook. Property management companies and hospitality businesses that want to stand out with positive reviews and boost revenue should consider upsells. In order for you to make data-driven decisions, we’ve performed an in-depth analysis of trends of upsells adoption by STR operators.

We hope this will guide you in finding the right upsell options that work for you and your guests. Of course, you are the best experts in your market – no one knows your guests’ preferences and the best offerings in your area better than you. We also recommend conducting an internal analysis of your guest messaging to identify popular demand, revenue opportunities, and areas for improvement.

Start Turning Guest Experiences into Revenue with Automated Upsells

Book a Demo