Booking.com’s U.S. Managing Director on Growth Plans, STRs, and Marketing

9/3/2024

Ben Harrell, Booking.com's managing director for the United States, discussed the online travel agency's marketing efforts, efforts to grow its alternative U.S. accommodation inventory, social media strategy, and more in this Q&A. At the VRMA conference last fall, he spoke about Booking.com becoming more involved in advocacy for short-term rentals (STRs). "As a responsible company, Booking.com is committed to working with authorities to find real, workable solutions for regulating STRs," Harrell said in this interview. "We believe that clear, enforceable regulations are necessary to balance the benefits of short-term rentals with the needs of local communities. Our advocacy efforts are focused on promoting reasonable and proportionate regulations that take into account the interest of all stakeholders, including homeowners, travelers and local governments. In the U.S., we are actively engaged in discussions with policymakers to ensure that the regulations are fair and effective, fostering a positive environment for both the travel community and local economies."

PhocusWire (08/28/24) Morgan Hines