Short-term rentals, Celani (AIGAB): the invisible driver for major events and your summer on Airbnb

Summer is approaching and, if you are a host on Airbnb or Booking, it’s time to turn your property into an essential asset for the major events that animate Italy. The recent intervention by Celani, president of the Italian Association of Short‑Term Rental Managers (AIGAB), at the seventh edition of Hub Eco strongly reiterated that short‑term rentals are no longer just a tourist “extra”, but a genuine pillar of the economy linked to high‑profile events, from international concerts to industry fairs.

Why short‑term rentals matter for major events

When a city hosts a concert, a sporting event, or an international fair, the demand for accommodation quickly shifts from traditional hotels to more flexible solutions located near the event venues. Guests look for dwellings that offer privacy, space, and the chance to live like “locals”. In this context, short‑term rentals fit perfectly:

• ability to host family or group stays without the typical restrictions of hotel rooms;
• possibility to offer personalized experiences, from homemade breakfast to tips on hidden itineraries;
• last‑minute booking flexibility, a crucial element for those arriving for a concert or a meeting.

These factors make short‑term rentals an “inescapable” resource for local administrations, which see a direct impact on tax revenues, employment, and tourism promotion. For hosts, it means higher demand, more competitive rates, and the ability to differentiate from the competition.

The updates from AIGAB for the summer season

In the statement “Your summer on Airbnb starts now: 2 moves to boost the potential of your listings”, AIGAB provided practical tips to maximize visibility and bookings:

• Update photos with high‑resolution images, showcasing key spaces and proximity to event attractions;
• Revise the description by inserting keywords related to “concerts”, “fairs” and “sports” to improve platform search engine positioning;
• Offer discounts for stays of at least three nights during major event dates, encouraging longer bookings;
• Enable rapid responses to inquiries, as response speed is a ranking factor on Airbnb and Booking.

These two simple actions, if implemented immediately, can increase your listing’s views by 20‑30 %, especially during periods of high event concentration.

The role of Mario Morra and the Campania observatory

Another important piece is the appointment of Mario Morra as the short‑term rental liaison in the Tourism Observatory of the Campania Region. This appointment, announced by AIGAB, means that hosts’ needs will be directly represented in regional working tables, facilitating the adoption of more balanced regulations and support tools for property management.

Among the planned initiatives are:

• the creation of a “quick desk” for reporting bureaucratic issues;
• the implementation of a data‑collection system on short‑term rentals linked to events, useful for urban planning policies;
• the dissemination of operational guidelines to ensure safety and tax compliance during demand spikes.

For hosts, this translates into greater regulatory certainty and concrete growth opportunities, especially in the most active regions such as Campania, Lombardy and Veneto.

Evolving regulations: the 2026 General Assembly

The regulatory landscape for short‑term rentals in Italy is constantly evolving. The “2026 General Assembly”, organized by AIGAB, represents the meeting point for institutions, operators and associations to discuss new rules, announced limitations and market impacts. Among the hottest topics:

• deadlines for submitting Annex B, set for 30 June 2026;
• changes to the Ministerial Decree No. 1920 of 24 June for Sicily, introducing new methods for communicating booking data;
• proposals for a “flexible licensing” regime for properties that operate primarily during seasonal events.

Staying updated on these issues is essential to avoid penalties and to make the most of market opportunities.

Domilocus: the free tool that simplifies your life

Managing a short‑term rental requires time, precision and especially the ability to keep availability across multiple platforms under control. This is where Domilocus comes in, the free WordPress plugin designed specifically for Italian hosts. Here’s what it actually does:

• synchronizes the calendar of booked dates via iCal with Airbnb and Booking, importing only occupied dates while leaving the prices set on the platforms unchanged;
• handles direct bookings from your site, avoiding extra fees and allowing you to build a more direct relationship with guests;
• generates Italian tax receipts compliant with regulations, simplifying accounting work and tax filing;
• displays a real‑time updated availability calendar on your WordPress site, so visitors instantly see when your property is free.

The most powerful aspect of Domilocus is its ability to eliminate calendar conflicts, one of the most common causes of cancellations and negative reviews. With a single click, your occupied dates are replicated on Airbnb and Booking, reducing the risk of overbooking.

How to turn your property into a hub for major events

If you want to fully exploit the potential of short‑term rentals, follow these practical steps:

• Analyze your area’s event calendar for the next 12‑18 months; identify concerts, fairs, sporting events and cultural festivals.
• Update your listing by inserting keywords related to those events (e.g., “near the Sports Hall”, “5 minutes from the Municipal Theatre”).
• Activate the availability calendar of Domilocus on your site and connect your Airbnb and Booking iCal; verify that occupied dates are always synchronized.
• Offer extra services for event guests (shuttle to the venue, local guides, welcome kit with maps and tips).
• Monitor performance weekly, using Airbnb and Booking statistics, and adjust rates based on seasonal demand (but do not modify prices through Domilocus).

By following these steps, you will not only increase bookings, but also build a solid reputation as a “go‑to host for events”, a niche still under‑exploited but rapidly growing.

Call to action: act now!

Don’t let your property remain an untapped opportunity.

1. Sign up immediately to AIGAB to receive regulatory updates, operational guides and networking opportunities with other hosts.
2. Install Domilocus for free on your WordPress site and synchronize your occupied dates with Airbnb and Booking in minutes.
3. Update your listing according to the two moves recommended by AIGAB and insert local event keywords.

The future of short‑term rentals is tied to major events: those who prepare today will reap the rewards tomorrow. Don’t miss the chance to turn your home into a reference point for tourists, athletes and culture enthusiasts.

Take the first step now: visit the AIGAB website to download the operational guides, register your account on Domilocus and start optimizing your online presence. Summer is just around the corner, and major events won’t wait. Be the driver of change.

Source: AIGAB, 30 June 2026