Andy Fenner is stepping down as CEO of the STAA.

And his parting message to the sector is sharper than you'd expect.

Yesterday at the Short Stay Summit, he used his final opening speech to tell the room:

UK short-term rentals are no longer on the margins of tourism policy.

They're at the top table.

Now the sector needs to stop being defensive and start speaking with confidence.

He's right.

Because while he's been running the STAA, the industry around him has been growing up fast.

Yesterday alone:

→ Casago absorbed nearly every former Vacasa market into its franchise network. One of the fastest consolidations the sector has ever seen.

→ Key Data launched Dex AI — the first AI-powered data engine built specifically for STR operators.

→ PriceLabs expanded beyond dynamic pricing into a full revenue platform.

→ Smoobu shared a stat every operator needs to hear: 41.7% of bookings now happen within 7 days of arrival.

New tech.

Faster consolidation.

Shorter booking windows.

Fenner's right the sector isn't on the margins anymore.

And with 27 days until the EU data-sharing deadline on 20 May, it's time to act like it.