How to set the right strategy for event-driven demand at your short-term rental.

When a big event comes to town — whether it’s a music festival, sports championship, or annual parade — short-term rental hosts know it’s an opportunity to earn big. But the question many hosts face is this: should you push for one guest to book the entire week, or keep your calendar open for multiple shorter stays?

In this Hosting Hotline episode, Sarah and Annette walk through exactly how to think about these situations, using a listener’s real-world example. Shaune hosts in a small town with a week-long festival, and he’s wondering if a single week-long booking is the smartest way to go.

Here’s the breakdown of the three main strategies:

1. Require a Week-Long Stay
If your market shows consistent demand for guests booking seven nights or more, this can simplify your hosting life. Fewer turnovers, fewer chances for guest issues, and a guaranteed booking locked in well ahead of time. But here’s the risk: if travelers only come for two or three nights of the event, you could sit empty because your minimum stay requirement doesn’t match demand.

2. Allow Shorter Stays at Premium Rates
Sometimes the real revenue opportunity comes from stacking shorter stays. Two- and three-night bookings can be priced at a premium — and guests will pay it to secure those peak nights. Think about your own experiences: have you ever gladly paid above-market rates for a last-minute hotel room during a concert, sporting event, or wedding weekend? Guests do the same with short-term rentals. This strategy often outperforms a week-long booking in terms of revenue, but it does mean more turnovers to manage.

3. Take a Hybrid Approach
One of the smartest moves is to combine the two. Set a longer minimum stay at first, when bookings happen further out. Then, as the event approaches, adjust your minimum stay requirements and increase your rates to catch last-minute travelers. This gives you the best of both worlds: a chance to secure a week-long stay early, while still leaving the door open for multiple shorter, high-paying guests later.

The Real Key: Know Your Market
No matter which strategy you choose, the foundation is always data. Review your booking history. Study your comps. Look at average daily rates, booking windows, and demand patterns from past years. Dynamic pricing tools can be a huge help here, showing you exactly when demand spikes and how rates trend.

And don’t forget your own goals as a host. Maybe you want one week-long booking so you can actually enjoy the festival yourself without juggling turnovers. Or maybe maximizing revenue is your top priority, and shorter stays at premium rates make more sense.

At the end of the day, there isn’t one “right” answer — but there is a right answer for you and your property. By looking at the data, staying flexible, and aligning your strategy with your goals, you’ll be ready to make the most out of festival season.

Resources mentioned:

Lodgify – All-in-one software to manage bookings, sync calendars, and build your direct booking site.

Have More Questions? We’d love to hear from you! Submit your hosting questions to the Hosting Hotline and tune in to the podcast for answers. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram for more tips: @thanksforvisiting_.

Download a transcript of this episode.

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