Why the Paralympics Matter for Short-Term Rental Hosts

The Paralympic Games drive consistent, measurable travel demand in host cities. While demand is lower than the Winter Olympics, Paralympics travel is typically steadier and longer-stay, driven by athletes, officials, support staff, media, and families.

For hosts, this creates a more predictable booking window that can be captured with the right pricing strategy and clear listings—without chasing peak-event volatility.

This article shows where demand is increasing and how hosts can respond, based on the data from our Market Dashboard and STR Index.

Paralympics Dates, Duration, and Host-Relevant Timelines

The Paralympic Games take place across multiple host cities, creating staggered but overlapping demand windows rather than a single peak.

Based on the data in the sheet:

• Milan: March 4–14, 2026 (11 days)
• Verona: March 5–9, 2026 (5 days)
• Cortina: March 12–15, 2026 (4 days)

This spread matters for hosts because Paralympics demand:

• Builds before the opening date
• Extends through closing events
• Is distributed across nearby markets within a defined radius

For hosts, this creates a clear, time-bound booking window where pricing, minimum stays, and availability need to be aligned ahead of March, rather than adjusted reactively once demand peaks.

Markets That See Demand Uplift During the Paralympics

The data shows that Paralympics-related demand is distributed across host and nearby cities, with clear year-over-year uplift during the event window.

Milan (20 km radius)

• ADR: increased from 76 to 135
• Occupancy: increased from 1% to 6%
• RevPAR: increased from 1 to 6

This indicates moderate pricing uplift paired with meaningful occupancy gains, reflecting steady, planned stays rather than short spikes.

Verona (35 km radius)

• ADR: increased from 148 to 305
• Occupancy: increased from 7% to 28%
• RevPAR: increased from 7 to 28

Verona shows the strongest relative demand uplift, suggesting spillover demand from primary host cities.

Cortina (20 km radius)

• ADR: increased from 392 to 759
• Occupancy: increased from 51% to 116%
• RevPAR: increased from 51 to 116

Cortina sees high absolute pricing and revenue levels, driven by longer stays and limited supply.

Across markets, the pattern is consistent: higher ADRs paired with sustained occupancy, reinforcing that Paralympics demand is steady and revenue-positive, not speculative.

How Paralympics Demand Differs From the Olympics

Paralympic demand follows a different booking pattern than the Olympics, as reflected in the data.

• Lower peak pressure: ADRs rise, but not as sharply as during the Olympics. This keeps prices within a range that supports consistent occupancy, rather than short-term spikes.
• Longer stays: Demand is driven by athletes, teams, officials, and support staff, resulting in multi-night and extended bookings instead of quick turnovers.
• More distributed demand: Instead of concentrating in one core city, bookings spread across nearby and secondary markets, as seen in Verona and Cortina.
• Less last-minute volatility: Paralympics bookings are typically planned earlier, reducing reliance on reactive pricing changes.

For hosts, success during the Paralympic Games is less about chasing peak-night rates and more about maintaining availability, setting realistic price increases, and capturing longer stays.

Pricing Strategy for Hosts During the Paralympics

The data shows that Paralympics demand supports measured price increases, not aggressive surges.

Across markets:

• ADRs increased alongside occupancy, not at the cost of it
• Revenue gains came from staying bookable at higher prices, rather than pushing rates to Olympic-level peaks

What this means for hosts:

• Increase prices early, once booking windows open, instead of waiting for last-minute demand
• Avoid sharp spikes that risk losing longer-stay bookings
• Let occupancy lead pricing, not the other way around

In markets like Verona and Cortina, higher ADRs were sustained because demand was demand-driven and stay length was planned. Hosts who maintained realistic rates achieved longer bookings and higher RevPAR without requiring frequent manual adjustments.

The key takeaway: during the Paralympics, pricing works best when it’s steady, not reactive.

Accessibility as a Booking Advantage

Paralympics travel brings a higher share of guests who actively filter for accessibility, making listing clarity more important than aggressive pricing.

While the data shows demand uplift across host and nearby markets, the conversion advantage comes from:

• Clearly stated accessibility features
• Accurate photos and descriptions
• No ambiguity around entryways, elevators, or bathroom access

For hosts, this doesn’t require major upgrades. It’s about reducing booking friction during a time when guests are booking longer stays and planning ahead.

During the 2026 Paralympic Games, listings that clearly communicate accessibility are more likely to capture early, high-intent demand, even at higher ADRs.

What Hosts Should Do Differently During the Paralympics

Paralympics demand rewards planning and clarity, not last-minute optimization. Based on the data patterns, hosts should focus on a few high-impact actions:

• Set pricing early: Adjust rates once the booking window opens instead of waiting for late demand. Steadier pricing performs better than sharp increases.
• Align minimum stays: Longer stays are common during the Paralympics. Slightly higher minimums can improve revenue without hurting occupancy.
• Protect availability: Avoid blocking dates too early. Demand is spread across the full event window, not just opening days.
• Be explicit in listings: Clear descriptions, accurate photos, and upfront accessibility details reduce friction for longer-stay guests.
• Hold, don’t chase: Maintain realistic price increases rather than pushing for Olympic-style peaks.

For the Paralympic Games, hosts who plan ahead and stay consistent are more likely to capture reliable, lower-stress bookings.

FAQs: Paralympics & Short-Term Rental Demand

Do the Paralympic Games increase short-term rental demand?

Yes. The data shows a clear uplift in occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR across host and nearby markets during the Paralympics, driven by planned, longer-stay travel.

Is demand for the Paralympics different from that for the Olympics?

Yes. Paralympics demand is steadier and less volatile, with fewer extreme price spikes and a higher share of multi-night stays.

Which markets benefit the most during the Paralympics?

Primary host cities see uplift, and nearby markets benefit from spillover demand, often showing strong relative gains.

Should hosts raise prices during the Paralympics?

Moderately. The data support early, measured price increases, not aggressive last-minute spikes. Steady pricing performs better.

Does accessibility affect bookings during the Paralympics?

Yes. Clear accessibility details improve conversion for high-intent, longer-stay guests, helping listings stay competitive even at higher ADRs.