Executive Summary
This study synthesizes existing research on consumer trust formation and booking motivations in short-term rental (STR) platforms through a systematic literature review. Drawing on 19 peer-reviewed studies published between 2015 and 2025, the review examines how trust-building cues and motivational factors jointly influence consumer booking decisions in peer-to-peer accommodation contexts. Using a thematic analysis approach, the findings reveal five dominant themes: visual and aesthetic cues, host attributes, reviews and reputation mechanisms, economic and functional motivations, and host–guest interaction. The results highlight the central role of visual presentation and social signals in reducing perceived risk and fostering trust, while economic and experiential motivations further shape booking intentions. By integrating fragmented findings across multiple theoretical perspectives, this study advances understanding of consumer behavior in STR platforms and proposes a conceptual framework illustrating the interaction between trust cues, motivations, and booking outcomes. Implications for theory, platform design, and host strategies are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Thornton, Alyssa N. and Shafieizadeh, Kiyan
(2026)
"Building Consumer Trust in Short-Term Rentals: A Literature Review on Factors Influencing Consumer Booking Motivations and Trust Formation,"
ICHRIE Research Reports: Vol. 11:
Iss.
2, Article 5.
DOI: www.doi.org/10.61701/303530.58
Available at:
https://via.library.depaul.edu/ichrie_rr/vol11/iss2/5
