Korea's first short-term rental expo, K-Stay Expo 2026, will be held Oct. 9–10 at Art Hall 2 of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul. The event will bring together startup information, the latest operational trends and hands-on industry know-how under one roof.
Organized by the Korea Minbak Industry Association and sponsored by global travel platform Airbnb, the expo will offer sector-specific consultations, product and service demonstrations, and practice-oriented lectures simultaneously.
More than 40 companies and organizations closely tied to short-term rental operations will set up exhibition booths, covering interior design, home appliances and furniture, cleaning and laundry, hygiene and pest control, tax services, and fire safety compliance. Visitors can compare and try out products and services from each sector and receive expert consultations on the spot. Some booths will also run promotional sales, offering interior goods, mattresses, coffee machines and other lodging supplies at special expo prices.
An on-site conference zone will host practice-focused lectures by short-term rental operators and industry experts. Topics will cover marketing strategies for successful property management, short-term rental policy and outlook, tax-saving strategies for accommodation businesses, tips for identifying competitive short-term rental properties, and interior styling techniques to enhance a property's appeal.
With the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea this year expected to surpass 20 million, short-term rentals have emerged as a top choice for international travelers seeking to experience everyday Korean life and local culture. Demand for startup information and operational know-how in the short-term rental sector is expected to grow accordingly.
Chae Bo-young, president of the Korea Minbak Industry Association, said the role of short-term rentals in accommodating diverse lodging demand is growing as Korea approaches an era of 30 million inbound tourists. "We hope this expo will provide operators and prospective entrepreneurs with the information and know-how they need, and serve as an opportunity to support the healthy growth of Korea's short-term rental industry," she said.
Admission is free for those who pre-register, and early registrants will receive priority entry and limited-edition merchandise.
Seo Ga-yeon, country manager of Airbnb Korea, said she hopes the expo will help prospective entrepreneurs enter the market with confidence and support existing operators in running their properties successfully. "We also expect it to serve as an opportunity for short-term rentals to complement Korea's lodging infrastructure by meeting growing demand," she added.
terry@heraldcorp.com
