Prefab cabins lend themselves well to building a more equitable tourism industry, at least in theory. Their affordability—in buying and building—mobility, and localized construction make them natural contenders for any would-be hotelier or landowner, who can simply put one up and list it on Airbnb. Plus, by principle, prefab construction tends to be environmentally friendly. Add off-grid capabilities to the equation and you have something that's completely in-line with post-2020 travel trends.
New York City start-up Moliving recognizes the prospects of prefab, and now aims to use it to make hotel development possible for those without hedge fund backing. Portable, prefab hotel rooms/cabins are key to the formula. With them, the company helps new hotels open up in months instead of years and, once up and running, Moliving helps properties scale their inventory according to seasonal demand.