What should we call our industry?

Short-term rentals? Vacation rentals? Holiday rentals? Holiday lets? Self-catering accommodation? Serviced accommodation? Airbnb?

Honest to goodness, what should we call our great industry?

Short-term rentals or STR for short. A term used by industry professionals but rarely understood by guests (or even many hosts – particularly here in the UK).

Vacation rentals. Pretty much the go-to term in the US – but unlikely to catch on in the UK because we call it a holiday.

Holiday rentals / holiday lets. A recognisable term in the UK (but not the rest of the world).

Self-catering accommodation. Sorry British seaside traditionalists, but it sounds like something from the 1950s.

Serviced accommodation or SA for short. I'll be honest. When someone told me they ran 'an SA' at a conference last year my first thought was South Africa. Next.

Airbnb. I can hear the groans already – but at least this is easy to understand. And, like it or not, it has become the catch-all term for our industry. (Please don't shoot the messenger).

Whatever we choose, it must be simple, effective, and understood by all. To this end, I'm putting it to a vote. Please vote for your favourite term – and if it's not listed, please drop a comment below.

What should we call our industry?

• Short-term rentals
• Vacation rentals
• Holiday rentals
• Holiday lets

See All Options