1. Sustainability award
Who should enter: Organisations, operators, agents and suppliers to the short-term rental sector that are leading the way in sustainability best practice, preserving their communities for future generations, and recognising their environmental, social, governance [ESG] obligations.
Judging criteria:
- Identification – identifying a sustainable market opportunity
- Resources and staff – how resources and staff were applied to maximise the opportunity and incorporate sustainability into the business model
- Growth – achieving significant growth through new channels or innovative strategies
- Change – managing major business change to become more sustainable
- Strong commercial performance and financial results – achieving your goals while delivering strong commercial and financial results over the last two years
3. Rentalpreneur Award – An individual educating new hosts
Who should enter: Any individual host or independent property manager whose story or platform can inspire other hosts. They may make money from renting out a property or small portfolio of properties as part of their business, and serves as a source of inspiration, guidance or education for other rentalpreneurs. Also open to anyone who has previously been an individual host or independent property manager and who is now operating to service the sector as an industry educator. [Previous winners should not apply]
Judging criteria:
- Bookings – how the rentalpreneur made / has made money from renting out a holiday property / properties, including increasing bookings and strong financial performance
- Entrepreneurial spirit – how the rentalpreneur has overcome challenges, found success and delivered unique guest experiences
- Impact – how the rentalpreneur has inspired new hosts, their family or local community through their industry achievements or personal journey as a host or property manager
- Contribution – how they are contributing to supporting improved industry education and standards, including helping PMs and hosts to deliver exceptional levels of service to their customers and guests
5. Best urban property management company
Who should enter: Any property management companies with at least 10 units in their global portfolio, which are located in urban destinations.
Judging criteria:
- Growth or retention of portfolio – how you have grown or retained your portfolio despite economic headwinds
- Staff and customer satisfaction – examples of how you are aiding staff development, engaging with customers, and ensuring that their satisfaction levels are high
- Marketing – how you have executed proactive or effective marketing strategies to boost revenue, occupancy and repeat bookings over the last two years
- Guest experience – how you have delivered an exceptional and unique guest experience and gone beyond the duty of care
- Innovation – how you have developed your product, amenities and customer service over the last two years
- Strong commercial and financial performance – how you have delivered strong commercial and financial results over the last two years
7. Best app
Who should enter: Businesses that have introduced, developed or enhanced a digital product [app] in the last two years which has enabled improved relationships with customers, and which demonstrates an enhanced customer experience through cleanliness, security, safety, in room entertainment, gift and complimentary/value add services, online payment or personalisation.
Judging criteria:
- Increased customer retention – explaining how you have improved your relationship with existing customers and retained or added to your customer base
- Increased revenue per customer – how your app is driving more revenue for your business
- Improved customer satisfaction levels – how your app is enhancing the guest experience [e.g. through cleanliness, security, safety, in-room entertainment], adding gift and / or complimentary / value-add services, online payment or personalisation
- Simplicity of use – how your app is simple to use
9. Best sales & marketing campaign
Who should enter: Individuals and businesses operating in, or agencies on behalf of clients supplying services to the short-term rental sector, this award recognises outstanding success and effectiveness, either in a one-off campaign or part of a sustained strategy, through PR, advertising, events [virtual or in-person] or any other activity other than social media.
Judging criteria:
- Target audience – explaining who you are targeting with your campaign
- Objectives – what you are aiming to achieve from the campaign
- Description – what the campaign / strategy involved
- Creative / design elements – providing evidence of the creative, design elements of the campaign/s and how they contributed to your success
- Results – the noticeable results achieved through your campaign, e.g. more sales, bookings, recognition etc
11. Best OTA / online accommodation booking platform
Who should enter: Online travel agents, bespoke and corporate booking channels, and other online booking platforms listing any kind of inventory for short-term stays [30 days or under].
Judging criteria:
- Growth in listings and bookings – attracting and converting enquiries from customers for short-term stays
- Customer satisfaction – demonstrating how your customers are happy with your service and platform
- Awareness – how you are raising awareness of the short-term rental sector among end users
- Ease of use for provider and booker – how your platform is simple to use and navigate
13. Guest experience award
Who should enter: Property managers, owners and hosts [no limit on number of properties managed]. Entrants should submit for one property, unit or development as opposed to their entire portfolio and the winner in this category will be decided solely by judge scores.
Judging criteria:
- Uniqueness of guest experience – how the property, guest experience, upselling opportunities or amenities offered by the property manager, owner and host is unique and memorable for guests.
- Human touch – how the property manager, owner or host has gone above and beyond with personal touches to make guests feel welcome, joyful and safe. They should also demonstrate how they are pursuing the concept of ‘unreasonable hospitality’ to create extraordinary experiences and giving people more than they could ever possibly want.
- Technology – how the property manager, owner or host is using technology to enhance the guest experience and make it as seamless as possible, either during the booking process or through in-property amenities.
- Customer / guest retention – how the property manager, owner or host has retained guests or driven repeat bookings over the last year.
15. Innovator / Disruptor award – an individual shaking up the status quo
Who should enter: This award is open to any individuals in the short-term rental industry who have made a significant impact within the sector over the last 18 months. The winner will be able to demonstrate that they have launched a new business, service or solution for the industry in this time. [Previous winners should not apply]
Judging criteria:
- Strong leadership and vision – how you have demonstrated enterprise, innovation and drive, while supporting and leading your team effectively
- Successful roll out of their service, business or solution, and customer or guest satisfaction – how you have successfully rolled out your service, business or solution, and how you have ensured customer or guest satisfaction
- Ways in which they have made us look at the way we do things in the short-term rental industry – how you have changed our outlook on the industry and / or are addressing common pain points
17. Pioneer award – a true industry leader
Who should enter: Individuals who can demonstrate innovation and leadership in the short-term rental sector. The successful candidate will be a business leader with exceptional vision and leadership, a strong financial track record and who over the last three years or more can show evidence of success. [Previous winners should not apply]
Judging criteria:
- Ethical leadership and stakeholder engagement – how you lead with the best interests of your team in mind and engage effectively with all stakeholders
- Clear management systems and efficiencies – how you have put clear management systems in place allowing for efficient time management
- Strong commercial performance and financial results – achieving your goals while delivering strong commercial and financial results over the last two years
- Successful initiatives launched – how you have launched new / pioneering initiatives or ideas for the STR industry
19. Best interior design
Who should enter: Property owners, hosts, operators and interior designers – each entry should highlight the design of a single development.
Judging criteria:
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Interior form – description of unique features and how the aesthetics aligns with brand identity. It is recommended you include any images of internal areas and any external terraces or public spaces.
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Interior function – description of how the overall design, including FF&E, materials and finishes, affects the operator experience [e.g. durability, maintenance, housekeeping], as well as the guest experience [e.g. comfort, navigability].
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Creativity – evidence of how the project demonstrates innovation.
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ESG Commitments – evidence of environmental, social and governance commitments, including sensitivity to any heritage considerations.
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Product – description of how the finished project relates to the original brief and budget. For renovations, refurbishments and repurposed projects, before and after images are recommended.
21. Best safety & security initiative 
Recognising a short-term rental business, operator, or service provider that has demonstrated
exceptional commitment to guest and property safety. This could include innovative safety
measures, enhanced security systems, staff training, guest communication protocols, or setting
new standards for health, safety, and security in the sector.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation – Introduction of new or improved safety or security measures.
- Impact – Evidence of how these measures have improved guest experience, safety, or
peace of mind. - Best practice – Demonstration of compliance with, or exceeding, relevant safety
regulations and industry standards. - Scalability – Potential for these measures to be implemented across other properties or
by others in the industry. - Guest feedback – Testimonials, reviews, or case studies showing positive responses
from guests.
2. Consumer champion award
Who should enter: Any company or organisation acting firmly on behalf of consumers and prioritises the needs of guests and / or clients.
Judging criteria:
- Accreditation / verification / standards – explain how you guarantee basic standards of cleaning, cleanliness, quality or protection from disturbances such as noise or crimes including fraud or property damage
- Proactively spotting a gap in the market – how you identified a gap in the market and distinguish yourself from the competition
- Successful roll out – how you introduced your service / product and how you are continuing to grow
- Guest / consumer satisfaction – demonstrating how your guests / customers / consumers are happy with your service or product
4. Best leisure property management company
Who should enter: Any property management companies with at least 10 units in their global portfolio which are located in leisure destinations, such as in rural or non-urban locations.
Judging criteria:
- Growth or retention of portfolio – how you have grown or retained your portfolio despite economic headwinds
- Staff and customer satisfaction – examples of how you are aiding staff development, engaging with customers, and ensuring that their satisfaction levels are high
- Marketing – how you have executed proactive or effective marketing strategies to boost revenue, occupancy and repeat bookings over the last two years
- Guest experience – how you have delivered an exceptional and unique guest experience and gone beyond the duty of care
- Innovation – how you have developed your product, amenities and customer service over the last two years
- Strong commercial and financial performance – how you have delivered strong commercial and financial results over the last two years
6. Most effective use of social media
Who should enter: Individuals and businesses operating in, or agencies on behalf of clients supplying services to the short-term rental sector, this award recognises outstanding success and effectiveness, either in a one-off campaign or part of a sustained strategy, through social media.
Judging criteria:
- Target audience – explaining who you are targeting with your social media
- Objectives – what you are aiming to achieve from the campaign / strategy
- Description – what the campaign / strategy involved
- Creative/design elements – providing evidence of the creative, design elements and how they contributed to your success
- Results – the noticeable results achieved through your campaign / strategy, e.g. more sales, bookings, recognition etc
8. Best Use of AI and Technology
Who should enter: Businesses that have introduced, developed or enhanced a digital or ‘smart’ product in the last two years which has automated the ability for guests to control the in-property environment, from lighting to home entertainment through a push of a button or a voice command.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation – how you are creating a unique product for the industry and solving guest / host pain points
- Ease of use – how your product is easy for guests to use
- Successful roll out – how your product has developed and rolled out to more customers / markets etc
- Positive user feedback – how your product has been received by your users
10. Team of the Year
Who should enter: Any team working within the short-term rental industry across the value chain and including service providers.
Judging criteria:
- Culture – description of healthy work-life balance across all staff roles including, but not limited to, flexible rotas, employee benefits, team building activities. Employee satisfaction scores and feedback is recommended.
- Impact – evidence of the team’s impact on company performance such as sales and revenues, customer reviews, staff turnover/retention/growth.
- ESG – evidence of the whole team’s commitment to upholding ESG initiatives such as endorsing net zero strategies, supporting community/charitable projects, diversity in the workforce, real living wages.
12. Best property management system [PMS]
Who should enter: Property management software providers [PMS] that have been operating in the short-term rental space for at least two years and have a track record of providing a solution to help property managers manage, grow and scale. A PMS is the engine of a business and the judges will be looking for the all-round winner and best in class for day-to-day tasks such as guest communication, housekeeping, centralising reservations, accounting and reports as well as more advanced tools such as website building, taxes monitoring and analytics. Each PMS that enters should also have its own channel management solution.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation – how you have innovated your PMS to simplify / automate multiple functions with different services
- Ease of use – how your PMS is easy for property managers to use, saving them time and enabling them to increase revenue
- Channel management solution – does the PMS have a channel manager? And how the channel manager directly maintains APIs with channels including and beyond the major three [Airbnb, Vrbo, and Booking.com]
- Partners – how the PMS is working with major OTAs and / or other booking platforms e.g. achieving elite / preferred partner status
- Successful roll out including positive user feedback – how your PMS has been received by clients i.e. property managers
- Scalability – how you have grown your client base [including acquiring other businesses] and are continuing to enhance the PMS e.g. with additional products, upselling features
- Value for money – how your PMS represents good value for money in the market
14. Best ancillary services provider
Who should enter: Businesses that have introduced a new service or product in the last two years which has delivered significant benefits in improving the guest experience, enhancing competitive advantage or adding value to the short-term rental sector in general.
These may include companies providing data, sharing economy insurance, cleaning and laundry services, furniture rental, guest verification, noise detection technology, luggage storage, smart locks or key exchange services, revenue and pricing management, transportation to short-term rental accommodation, and more.
Judging criteria:
- Innovation – how you are creating a unique product / service for the industry and solving guest / host pain points
- Ease of use – how your product / service is easy for guests to use
- Successful roll out – how your product / service has developed and rolled out to more customers / markets etc
- Positive user feedback – how your product / service has been received by your users
16. Rising Star – a promising individual with a bright future
Who should enter: Business owners, entrepreneurs, team members and talented managers who have been active in or who have only entered the sector within the past five years. Anyone who has made a significant impact within the sector over the last 18 months, and they may also have launched a new business, service or solution for the industry in this time. [Previous winners should not apply]
Judging criteria:
- Strong leadership and vision – how you have demonstrated enterprise, innovation and drive, while supporting and leading your team effectively
- A clear understanding of business and financial planning – how you have steered your company through growth phases and / or difficult times, putting in place clear business strategies with impressive results, and planning for the future
- Contribution – providing evidence of how you have contributed to your business and the short-term rental sector on a local, domestic or global scale
18. Best travel influencer
Who should enter: Social media creators, content producers or brand ambassadors who create original travel-related content and have made a measurable impact on the short-term rental sector.
Judging criteria:
- Reach and engagement – how your content has resonated with audiences across platforms and increased visibility for short-term rentals, brands or destinations
- Authenticity and storytelling – how you have used compelling content to build trust and showcase unique stays, travel, and guest experiences
- Collaboration and partnerships – evidence of successful partnerships with brands, operators or platforms that have delivered mutual value
- Creativity and innovation – how you have brought a fresh or distinctive approach to content creation, campaign delivery or platform use
- Positive influence – how you’ve contributed to a more inclusive, inspiring or responsible travel culture
20. Best holiday site operator
Who should enter: Companies or franchises operating defined holiday sites with self-catered accommodation including holiday parks, lodges, glamping sites, treehouses, cabins, yurts, tipis, campsites or tiny homes in one or multiple locations.
Judging criteria:
- Portfolio performance – how you have grown or retained your portfolio in a competitive or challenging market
- Guest experience – how you create memorable, high-quality guest experiences that go beyond expectations
- People and community – how you support staff development, build local partnerships, or positively impact your community
- Brand and marketing – how you’ve executed effective marketing strategies to increase bookings, loyalty or brand awareness
- Product innovation – how your offering has evolved in response to guest needs, sustainability trends or design innovation
- Commercial results – how your business has demonstrated strong financial performance or resilience in the past two years
