Vacation rental technology provider Hostfully has landed $1 million in seed funding.

The pressures of the pandemic are driving more Airbnb hosts to lure users into booking their properties privately, further straining the already fraught relationship between the company and some of its larger hosts.

It's clear that vacation rental hosts and property managers crave direct bookings, and many may be making inroads. Still, the marketing power of big brands is tough to compete with.

Many hosts are turning to midterm or long-term accommodation options as demand for short-term lodging plummets.

Hostfully co-founder and CEO, Margot Schmorak said; “Operto's expertise in IoT and device management will bring tremendous value to Hostfully Property Management Platform users."

There is a “new normal” for the sector this year as demand softens or over-supply takes hold in certain markets, but there is also a reset for the association in terms of unlikely allies and members.

The short-term rental market has fared better than most segments of travel during the pandemic, although it has faced a different set of challenges.

Behind the Scenes: Success Stories from Vacation Rental Property Managers, Including the Industry’s 26 Most Common Challenges and Solutions

The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic is a game-changer for the vacation rental industry.

Disruption participated in a $1.34 million CAD funding round for San Francisco-based vacation rental SaaS solution Hostfully.