I experience it regularly in conversations with property managers, investors, and asset managers. Vacancies are part of everyday business. Transitional phases before new construction projects, properties with expiring leases, or real estate that can still be rented on the traditional long-term market but generates little economic enthusiasm.
At the same time, the pressure to use portfolios more efficiently is increasing. Returns are expected to remain stable or grow without moving into speculative niches. This is exactly where professional short-term rentals become relevant — not as an experiment, but as a strategic tool.
Why Short-Term Rentals Are Becoming Increasingly Relevant for Managers and Investors
Analyses from Switzerland clearly show that, depending on location and property type, short-term rentals can significantly increase return on equity. Particularly in tourist-driven regions or traditional second-home municipalities, there is a tension between demand, regulation, and unused potential.
Short-term rental does not simply mean listing apartments on Airbnb. It is about a well-structured, economically sound usage concept that fits the location and is accepted — or even desired — by local municipalities. This is precisely what we at Immohost specialize in.
When we talk about suitable properties, we mean locations where short-term rentals are:
- legally permissible,
- economically and touristically viable,
- and beneficial to local infrastructure.
Where Short-Term Rentals Create Real Value
Often, it is not the obvious hotspots that offer the greatest potential. We see significant opportunities in regions that are structurally under pressure but remain attractive for tourism.
Examples include:
- Mountain communities without their own school,
- Locations where tourism infrastructure is struggling to survive,
- Regions with good accessibility but underutilized accommodation capacity.
When professionally managed holiday apartments are created in such areas — and used more than just a few weeks per year — entire regions benefit. Guests return, restaurants remain open, cable cars and lifts gain economic stability. Short-term rental becomes a win-win situation for owners, guests, and municipalities.
Why Property Managers Rarely Implement Short-Term Rentals Themselves
Most property management companies lack the time or interest to build an entirely new business field. Short-term rental is not a side activity — it is a standalone business with its own operational requirements.
These include:
- Multi-channel management across platforms,
- Dynamic pricing strategies,
- 24/7 guest communication,
- Organization of cleaning and laundry services,
- Continuous quality control and reporting.
Managing all of this alongside existing daily operations is hardly realistic. This is exactly where we step in.
Typical Situations We Take Over
In practice, we repeatedly encounter similar cases:
- A building scheduled for demolition in two to three years that is partially vacant until then,
- Medical or office spaces that can no longer be leased long-term but are located in attractive areas,
- Renovation projects that are delayed and generate unnecessary opportunity costs.
Instead of merely managing vacancy, we convert these properties into serviced apartments or short-term accommodations. We take over the entire operational process.
Our Full-Service Approach for Managers and Investors
We support projects from the initial assessment through ongoing operations. Our services include:
- Interior concepts and implementation,
- Listings on Airbnb, Booking, and other platforms,
- Dynamic pricing management,
- Guest communication and support,
- Cleaning, laundry, and quality assurance,
- Transparent reporting and accounting.
For property managers, this means continuous revenue without additional internal workload. No need to build new expertise or allocate staff resources — yet still achieving economically meaningful property utilization.
Short-Term Rentals as a Strategic Portfolio Component
Professional investors increasingly use short-term rentals as a complementary portfolio strategy. The goal is not maximum occupancy at any cost, but better control over returns and risk.
We support investors, family offices, and asset managers in integrating individual properties or entire portfolios into the short-term rental market. Honest assessment is always key — not every property is suitable.
We evaluate factors such as:
- Demand and seasonality,
- Regulatory framework,
- Price level relative to expected occupancy,
- Local competitive landscape.
Our strength lies not in theoretical advice, but in concrete implementation. We know the municipalities where short-term rentals are politically sustainable and identify properties that make economic sense.
The investor decides on the acquisition. We take care of the rest.
Scaling Without Losing Quality
Operating a single holiday apartment independently may still be manageable. With ten, twenty, or fifty units, complexity increases rapidly.
Year-round pricing strategies, coordination of cleaning teams, multilingual guest communication, and integration into existing reporting structures require standardized processes.
Our setup is designed exactly for this. We already manage portfolios in Lucerne, Zurich, and Thun and understand how to integrate short-term rentals seamlessly into existing management structures.
Why Now Is the Right Time
Several developments make it worthwhile to focus intensively on professional short-term rentals today:
- Regulatory frameworks are becoming clearer and more predictable.
- Tourism and workation trends are increasing demand for flexible living models.
- Investors are seeking stable additional returns without excessive risk.
Well-managed short-term rental properties meet exactly these requirements.
Who Our Solution Is Designed For
Our services are particularly suited for:
Property management companies that want to professionally bridge vacancies or interim uses and take their first steps into short-term rentals without building an entirely new business unit.
Investors and asset managers who aim to invest in attractive tourist regions and value sustainable, economically sound property usage.
Conclusion: Vacancy Is Not a Condition — It Is a Decision
Ultimately, the key question is simple: Does short-term rental make financial sense for your property or portfolio? That is what we prefer to clarify in direct conversation.
You bring a property, a region, or a project.
We provide an honest assessment of whether short-term rental is suitable — and how it can be implemented professionally.
If you are a property manager, investor, or asset manager exploring whether short-term rental can become a strategic portfolio component, feel free to contact us without obligation.
We will show you how vacancy, interim use, or an overlooked property can become a stable, predictable, and above-average source of return — while simultaneously strengthening regions that benefit from it in the long term.