Luxury short-term rental has long been viewed as the most resilient segment of the STR industry.But resilience does not mean immunity.Rising interest rates, tighter capital, geopolitical instability, regulatory scrutiny, and growing operational costs are reshaping the landscape. Demand remains strong, yet it is more selective, more price-sensitive, and less forgiving than in previous cycles.In this special roundtable episode of STR Global Unlocked, Simon Lehmann convenes four global founders and CEOs operating at the forefront of luxury short-term rentals across Europe, Asia, and the United States:Maxime Friess, Founder & CEO, Emerald StayMax Aniort, Founder & CEO, Le CollectionistStephanie Chai, Founder & CEO, The Luxe NomadScott Wiseman, CEO, Nocturne Luxury VillasEach represents a distinct operating model and market dynamic within the high-end STR ecosystem.In this conversation, they explore with Simon Lehmann:Whether luxury demand is structurally resilient or simply slower to absorb macroeconomic pressureHow pricing has shifted from a revenue lever to a demand signal, and why overpricing can damage long-term competitivenessThe margin realities of high-touch hospitality, including staffing, fixed costs, and why operational discipline now outweighs topline growthWho truly owns the guest relationship in a fragmented distribution ecosystem, and what separates repeat bookings from genuine brand loyaltyHow regulation, insurance scrutiny, and safety standards are accelerating the professionalization of luxury STRWhether scale strengthens or dilutes luxury positioning, and what it takes to build a globally recognized luxury STR brandConnect with the panelists on LinkedIn:- Maxime Friess: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxime-friess/ - Stephanie Chai: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stchai/ - Scott Wiseman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottfwiseman/- Max Aniort: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxaniort/ Resources AJL Atelier – Global STR Consulting [https://www.ajlatelier.com]. Led by our host Simon Lehmann, AJL Atelier is a boutique advisory firm helping professional hosts, property managers, and investors succeed in the short-term rental industry. Connect with Simon Lehmann on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-lehmann-8375753b/] Stay connected: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/str-global-unlocked-with-simon-lehmann-unfiltered/id1842946960 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3kke4wOx0tNv0duq9MMWtO Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWVkmUOkmhSHcFjzi28AhaQNR98vaG65O Website: https://www.ajlatelier.com/podcasts Newsletter: https://str-global-unlocked.beehiiv.com/

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.