Sleepy Bear Takes the Stage at STRA Forum & Expo Malaysia 2026

Rui Ong, Founder & Managing Director of Sleepy Bear Group (right), moderating the "Greener, Smarter – Sustainable Practices That Cut Costs & Add Value" panel with Steven Chuah (left), Founder of EMR Group Management, and Suki Tan (centre), Founder of Smart BnB Platform.

At the recent STRA Forum & Expo ‘26, Sleepy Bear Group’s Founder and Managing Director, Rui Ong, took the stage alongside industry peers Deepanshu Nihalani and Steven Chuah to unpack a critical challenge facing today’s short-term rental market: dynamic revenue management. Alongside industry peers Deepanshu Nihalani and Steven Chuah, and moderated by Alex Fong, the “Smarter Pricing, Better Profits”panel highlighted why adapting to market shifts is essential for modern operators to accelerate returns. 

The End of Flat-Rate Strategies

As Rui explained to the audience, the industry has shifted significantly since 2018, when operators only needed to focus on their basic product. Today, short-stay operators are competing directly with mature hotel brands on major OTAs, requiring a much more sophisticated approach. Our operations managers are heavily accountable for financial performance, actively adjusting to market demand shifts and occupancy reports to ensure developers and individual owners capture maximum value. By applying these data-driven insights, we help our partners achieve consistent rental performance. 

“In the earlier years, our revenue manager’s daily job was a lot of gathering data and generating reports on Excel,” Rui shared during the panel. “But as we grew to catch up to international hotelier standards and advanced our revenue management, daily or even hourly pricing adjustments are automated based on the strategy set by us. Data collection and report generation are real-time, so our revenue managers act as analysts and strategists.”

Building Value Before Booking

It’s good to note that intelligent pricing algorithms only work when the underlying product is strong. Later that afternoon, Rui moderated the “Design that converts: Interiors, Branding & Guest Psychology” panel, featuring Datin Sri Jasmine Cha, Gyn Voong, and Nai Chun Lei. This discussion reinforced the idea that turning an underperforming asset into a highly profitable investment requires an integrated approach where design and strategy meet. 

Through our internal division, Sleepy Bear Insterior, we prepare properties for faster rental by focusing on functional “income ready” designs. We source fair-priced, factory-direct furnishings, that allows us to stretch every ringgit further. We prove that excellent results do not require over-the-top luxury upgrades. Once the space is ready, Sleepy Bear Stays takes over to ensure that the physical comfort of the space is matched by dependable, friendly hospitality, transforming standard rentals into story-making experiences. 

The Reality of Daily Operations

A recurring theme throughout the two day expo is having relentless, hands-on management. Across our diverse portfolio of over 50 locations - spanning new townships like Gamuda Cove to city centers like KL Sentral and highlands like Genting - we understand that sustainable growth relies on rigorous quality assurance. 

As Rui pointed out to the forum audience, managing such diversity requires tailored execution: “One thing we’ve learned is there’s never one strategy that works for all. If you have a lot of inventory in the same building versus limited inventory, your pricing strategy is completely different.”

Our dedicated front desk officers and operational staff handle the heavy lifting, taking responsibility for regular property inspections, managing check-ins, and resolving tenant inquiries promptly. We act as the direct point of contact for emergencies, implementing crisis protocols so that property owners never have to. 

By streamlining every stage of the property lifecycle, Sleepy Bear Group helps investors navigate market complexities with calm assurance. When pricing agility, intentional design and dedicated operations align, property ownership truly becomes effortless and profitable. 

Rui Ong (right) with fellow industry speakers during STRA Forum & Expo Malaysia 2026.

Inspired by the discussions at STRA Forum & Expo 2026? Whether you're a property owner, investor, or developer, Sleepy Bear Group is here to help you transform your property into a high-performing short-stay investment through strategic design, smart revenue management, and dependable operations. Get in touch with our team to start the conversation.

About Sleepy Bear Group

Sleepy Bear Group is a Malaysian short-term rental, Airbnb and hospitality management company helping property owners, investors and developers maximise the value of their real estate investments.

Our integrated ecosystem combines property transformation, professional Airbnb management and hospitality operations to create memorable guest experiences while delivering stronger rental performance for property owners.

Our services include:

• Sleepy Bear Insterior – Property transformation, interior design, furnishing and renovation solutions that prepare properties to become income-ready.

• Sleepy Bear Stays – Professional Airbnb and short-term rental management, including revenue management, guest communications, housekeeping coordination, maintenance and day-to-day operations.

• Property Investment Solutions – End-to-end support for investors and developers seeking higher occupancy, stronger rental returns and long-term asset value.

Today, Sleepy Bear Group manages more than 50 short-stay locations across Malaysia, serving a diverse portfolio ranging from city-centre serviced residences and integrated townships to lifestyle and leisure destinations. Our team combines practical operational experience with data-driven revenue management to help maximise occupancy, improve guest satisfaction and deliver sustainable investment performance.

Beyond property management, Sleepy Bear Group actively contributes to Malaysia's growing short-term rental industry through knowledge sharing, speaking engagements, industry collaborations and partnerships with developers, hospitality professionals and property owners.

Whether you're furnishing your first investment property, transforming an existing unit, or looking for a trusted partner to manage your Airbnb or short-term rental, Sleepy Bear Group is committed to helping you unlock your property's full potential.

Explore our services or speak with our team to discover how Sleepy Bear Group can help maximise your property's performance.