PriceLabs’ Listing Optimizer Wins at the Data and Revenue Management Conference Battleground
- PriceLabs’ new tool, Listing Optimizer, was named the winner of this year’s DARM Battleground, a competitive pitch event judged by a panel of experts and a live audience of short-term rental (STR) and revenue managers.
- The tool impressed the jury for tackling a common pain point: listings that fail to convert not because of pricing, but due to weak content.
- The tool flags low-performing listings across a portfolio, prioritises fixes, and surfaces what’s likely hurting conversion, such as poor imagery, inconsistent amenities, or misleading descriptions.
- In one market test cited by PriceLabs, listings rated as having “good content” were 30–38% more likely to outperform those with weak content. That figure speaks to the growing recognition that conversion starts well before pricing, in the first impression a guest sees.
Snigdha’s Views
- This win tells us what property managers are prioritizing right now: solutions that fix visibility and content problems at scale.
- The DARM vote wasn’t just expert opinion; it came from working managers who know firsthand the frustration of listings that don’t get clicked.
- Property managers know this, but fixing it across 50, 100, or 500 listings takes time they don’t have. A tool that highlights exactly which listings are underperforming, and tells you why, speaks directly to that pain.
- The tool is just rolling out now, and we’ll be watching closely, especially as the market gets more competitive and attention spans shrink.
- Tools like this are promising, especially as AI ranking systems get sharper, but impact will depend on execution, better photos, tighter amenity mapping, and operational follow-through.
Maui Moves Forward with Bill to Phase Out Up to 7,000 Rentals, but Final Outcome Still in Flux
- Maui County has revived its controversial Bill 9, a measure that could phase out 6000- 7,000 short-term rentals in apartment-zoned buildings starting in 2026. This follows nearly a year of public debate, amendments, and walk-backs.
- Now, with a 5–3 vote, the County Council has pushed Bill 9 forward again.
- The outcome hinges on a second vote set for December 19, which could rezone many of these properties into hotel districts. H‑3 and H‑4 are proposed new hotel‑zoned districts that will allow STRs to operate legally.
Snigdha’s Views
- This isn’t Maui’s first pivot. Between April and October, the plan shifted from a full ban to a partial rollback after strong pushback and economic concerns.
- Now, the vote has moved forward again, but nothing’s final. A key decision on December 19 could soften the blow or revive uncertainty.
- Thousands of property managers, homeowners, and staff are once again left waiting, with no clear way to plan or reassure guests and owners.
- These reclassified zones may require new permitting, tax structures, or caps, so property managers should prepare for increased operational overhead.
- If you’re managing units in Maui, you should take this week to: Audit your portfolio by zoning, flag which owners may be exposed, review guest comms for cancellations, and stress-test 2026 projections. Even if the rezoning passes, not all units will be spared, and the rules can still shift again.
New Proposal Targets Unlicensed Short-Term Rentals in Bali
- Governor Wayan Koster announced plans to halt Airbnb-style STRs, citing unlicensed accommodations hurting local revenue and the hotel industry. He mentions that “more than 2,000 hotels and villas” are operating without permits.
- Local hotel and hospitality stakeholders say thousands of villas, guesthouses, and houses are operating without proper permits, competing unfairly with licensed hotels and denying the region its legally owed hotel taxes.
- The proposed regulation aims to reclassify daily rentals under strict licensing or to outlaw unlicensed STRs altogether, potentially forcing many existing listings into compliance or closure.
Snigdha’s Views
- It’s not the first time this issue has surfaced. Back in April, the Bali Villa Rental and Management Association (BVRMA) called on the government to crack down on illegally operated tourist villas in Bali.
- Bali has become a high-stakes market for the STR industry, especially post-COVID. It’s not just a tourism powerhouse but also a key market in Airbnb’s, Booking.com’s, and Expedia’s push across Asia.
- It’s not an enacted law yet, just a proposal, so if you’re managing units that aren’t fully licensed, you have time to work with owners now to regularise. Even compliant rentals could face heightened inspections, stricter scrutiny.
- At the same time, start preparing owners for the possibility of tighter rules: be the one who explains the risks, offers alternatives, and supports compliance.
- This is part of a larger trend we’ve seen across high-tourism markets: regulatory pressure builds, then zeroes in on licensing and tax enforcement.
Snigdha Parghan is a Content Marketer at RSU by PriceLabs, where she creates articles, manages daily social media, and repurposes news and analysis into podcasts and video content for short-term rental professionals. With a focus on technology, operations, and marketing, Snigdha helps property managers stay informed and adapt to industry shifts.
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