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    Bill Would Change Regulations for Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    A bill that passed in the Florida Senate Committee on Regulated Industries earlier in March would revise regulations for vacation rentals in Florida.

    New Orleans Short-Term Rentals Limited to One per Square Block, but Council Also Passes Exceptions

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    After months of debate, New Orleans City Council passed a pair of new short-term rental (STR) laws, limiting STRs to one-per-square-block in residential areas and imposing stricter penalties on STR owners who violate the city’s rules.

    Maui Vacation Rental Supply and Unit Demand up From 2022, but Down From Pre-pandemic Levels

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    Data from the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism show that Maui’s vacation rental supply, unit demand, and occupancy in February remained down double-digits from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 but were up from last year.

    All Unauthorized Airbnb Listings in Quebec to Be Removed From App, Company Says

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    After a fire ravaged a building in Old Montreal that included units available for rent on Airbnb, the company says it plans to remove all Quebec listings that have not been authorized by the provincial government.

    Reliance Plans to Develop Short-Term Rentals in Gujarat

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    Indian multinational conglomerate Reliance Industries Limited, owned by Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, is set to foray into the hospitality industry under its new arm Reliance SOU, engaging in hotels, resorts, and service apartments that will provide short-term lodging facilities.

    Short-Term Rental Investment Funds to See More Action This Year

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    In October last year, luxury vacation rental brand Wander launched what it called the industry’s first vacation rental real estate investment trust (REIT).

    Sonder Expands Business Travel Segment

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    Sonder is expanding its business travel segment to include group bookings and partnering with HelmsBriscoe, a global player in meetings procurement and site selection.

    The 'Airbnbust' Proves the Wild West Days of Online Vacation Rentals Are Over

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    Rumors of an "Airbnbust" have spread online among short-term-rental (STR) hosts facing empty booking calendars, stiff competition for guests, and falling earnings. But talks of a downturn ignore the fact that the STR industry is bigger than ever, and some operators are thriving like never before.

    AirDNA: Travelers Secure Spring/Summer Stays in Europe Boom

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 27
    New data from AirDNA on the European short-term rental market show strong growth in demand and changing trends in seasonality. February saw a 47.3 percent increase compared to the same period in 2019 and 26.6 percent higher than last year, despite being a typically low demand period.

    Memphis to Require Permits for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    The city of Memphis, Tenn., will soon require short term rentals (STRs) to obtain a permit and will set parameters for how those rentals can lose those permits. The ordinance, approved on its final reading on March 21, will makes changes to the city's STR law that dates to 2016.

    As Vote Nears, New Orleans City Council's Stomach for Strict Short-Term Rental Caps Unclear

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    The New Orleans City Council is set to finalize a new short-term rental law on March 23, amid signs of wavering in the four-member majority that previously voted for strict caps on tourism housing in neighborhoods.

    AirDNA: STR Demand and Supply Accelerate in the U.S.

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    The U.S. short-term rental market experienced a surge in demand, supply, and rates in February 2023, AirDNA reports.

    Arkansas House Committee Considers Bill to Bar Certain Local Regulations Against Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    A committee in the Arkansas House of Representatives on March 15 heard testimony on legislation to limit local government restrictions on short-term rentals, but delayed a vote so sponsors could file an amendment.

    Dallas Short-Term Rental Debate Closes In on May City Election

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    Years of debate over short-term rental homes in single-family Dallas neighborhoods is approaching conclusion with just weeks to go before a city election.

    Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Group Appeals Ruling to Supreme Court

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    The Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association wants the Supreme Court to rule on the constitutionality of short-term rental regulations in Clark County, Nev.

    Operto Raises US$25 Million in Series B Financing Round

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    Operto Guest Technologies has secured US$25 million in a Series B funding round, led by specialized growth equity firm Centana Growth Partners. Proceeds will be used to further fuel Operto's expansion in the global short-term rental market.

    Vacasa Turnaround Exec Cites the Need for a Vacation Rental Reset Post-COVID

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    T.J. Clark, Vacasa’s new chief commercial officer, is charged with reversing unacceptably high rates of homeowners leaving the platform and increasing sales after the company laid off up to 300 sales and marketing staff and 1,000 field personnel in January.

    Short-Term Rentals Can't Rely on Tech to Solve Its Labor Shortages — Yet

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    Technology cannot address the short-term rental industry's labor shortages at present. “I don't see human workers getting out of the picture for at least another 10 years,” explained Guy Westlake, founder of property management software vendor Lavanda.

    Can Subscription Services Work for STRs?

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 22
    Phocuswright analyst Robert Cole suggests a subscription model could work for short-term rentals (STRs), assuming they can offer something not available anywhere else.

    El Paso Chamber Opposes City Regulating Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The El Paso Chamber's board of directors voted to formally oppose possible short-term rental regulations.

    Plano City Council Might Consider Temporary Short-Term Rental Ban

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The Plano City, Texas, Council wants to consider a temporary ban on short-term rentals (STRs). At a recent City Council meeting, several members floated the idea after a discussion about the legality of a prospective short-term rental ordinance in Plano.

    Sen. Gu Co-sponsors Bills to Let Cities/Towns Regulate Short-Term Rentals in Rhode Island

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    Rhode Island state Sen. Victoria Gu and Rep. Lauren H. Carson have introduced legislation that would allow municipalities to regulate short term rentals within their borders. Under current law, the state prohibits cities and towns from restricting short-term rentals.

    Nearly 1,500 NYC Buildings Ban Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    About 1,500 landlords have signed up to ban short-term rental listings in their New York City buildings, four days after the city opened a registration portal meant to regulate hosting through rental platforms.

    New Orleans Council Puts Pause on New Short-Term Rentals in Mixed-Use Areas

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    New Orleans City Council placed a year-long moratorium on new commercial short-term rental (STR) permits in certain historic, mixed-use zones, a move aimed at stemming investors from scooping up properties as the city overhauls its rules governing rentals in residential areas.

    Swiss City Lucerne Votes to Restrict Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The Swiss city of Lucerne voted to limit short-term rentals to a maximum of 90 days a year. Just over 64 percent of voters in the city were in favor of the restriction, tabled by the Social Democrats.

    Australia's Rental Vacancy Rate at Lowest Level Since Before COVID-19 Pandemic

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The percentage of rental properties available in Australia is at its lowest level since before the start of the pandemic, with data showing the rental market has tightened significantly in capital cities and regional parts of the country.

    Short-Term Rentals Test Sustainability as an Accreditation Standard

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The short-term rental industry can be sustainable, writes Skift columnist Srividya Kalyanaraman, but not without support and structure. "As it currently stands, there are few institutional incentives and considerable regulatory obstacles to make sustainability a universal priority," he writes.

    New Condo Boom Feeds Off Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    Condominiums purposely built for short-term rentals were established in Miami just a few years ago but have quickly become a huge part of the new condo construction boom.

    Luxury Vacation Rentals Market Is Flying High

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The U.S. luxury vacation rental segment will see both average daily rates and length of stay double by December 2023 compared to January 2022, from $492 to $854, estimates short-term rental data provider KeyData.

    Silicon Valley Bank Collapse – What It Means for the STR Sector

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 14
    The collapse of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) could have far-reaching implications for the companies that deposited their money with the bank or took a loan from it, including start-ups in the short-term rental sector.

    Lexington Moves Forward on Regulating Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 8
    A Lexington, Ky., council committee passed a proposal on March 7 that would regulate short-term rentals in Fayette County.

    Property Owners Form Group to Oppose Chattanooga’s Proposed Vacation Rental Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 7
    Chattanooga property owners have united to oppose more restrictive rules for short-term vacation rentals up for approval at the City Council's meeting.

    Empowered Leaders: Female Forces in Hospitality and Real Estate

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 7
    The International Hospitality Media editorial team selected 22 female leaders in hospitality and real estate to mark International Women’s Day 2023. Among them are Alex Husner and Annie Holcombe, co-hosts, Alex & Annie: The Real Women of Vacation Rentals Podcast.

    Chattanooga City Council Gives Initial OK to New Vacation Rental Rules With Larger Buffer Zone

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    The Chattanooga City Council approved on first reading Tuesday new rules for short-term vacation rentals that include an expanded buffer zone in certain residential areas.

    New Orleans City Council Starts Rewriting Short-Term Rental Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    The New Orleans City Council has passed the first measure in in a series of reforms to the city’s residential short-term rental rules as it rushes to meet a court-imposed March 31 deadline.

    Denver Short-Term Rental Licenses Up Higher Than They Were at the Start of the Pandemic

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    For the first time since the pandemic started, Denver's Department of Excise and Licenses reports that short-term rental licenses are higher than they were in March 2020. At that time, there were 2,570 active short-term rental licenses. That dropped by hundreds shortly after.

    Business Ministers Approve EU Data Collection Legislation

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    EU business ministers have approved new rules for short-term rental booking platforms across the European Union.

    How Tech Is Helping Vacation Rentals Prevent Disturbances

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    Technology for noise control can play an important role in allowing responsible short-term rental (STR) owners to operate in locations considering tighter restrictions.

    Short Stay Summit 2023 Program Highlights Revealed

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 6
    The program highlights and some of its speakers and panelists for this year’s Short Stay Summit, being held on April 27 in London, have been revealed.

    UK Tax Authority Launches Crackdown on Holiday Let Owners

    By: VRMA Administrator | Mar 1
    HM Revenue & Customs has launched a crackdown on the UK short-term lettings market by initially targeting about 1,000 property owners that it suspects have not paid enough tax.

    Vacation Rentals Licensing Plan Opposed at Hearing in Mount Desert, Maine

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    Mount Desert, Maine, Planning Consultant Noel Musson and the Land Use Zoning Ordinance (LUZO) committee heard negative opinions on a proposed short-term rentals licensing ordinance at a public hearing on Feb. 21.

    Halifax Approves New Short-Term Rental Regulations Starting in September

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    Halifax, the provincial capital of Nova Scotia, Canada, has approved regulations for short-term rentals and are giving residents until Sept. 1 to adjust.

    Santa Fe County Commission Weighs Extending Short-Term Rentals Registration Deadline

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    The Santa Fe, N.M., County Commission is considering extending the timeframe for licensing and registering short-term rentals under an ordinance that has drawn concerns over its application process.

    Gary Enacts Regulations for Short-Term Rental Properties

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    The Gary, Ind., Common Council has voted to adopt an ordinance establishing a regulatory framework for short-term rentals. The ordinance requires that a short term rental property that is not its owners’ primary residents receive a special use or zoning variance in order to operate.

    El Paso Airbnb Owners United in Opposing Possible Short-Term Rental Regulations from City

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    Dozens of owners of El Paso short-term rentals have voiced their opposition to further regulation and taxation during several public meetings.

    Maui County Sees Largest Vacation Rental Supply, Average Daily Rate in the State

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply and average daily rate of all four of Hawaii's counties in January, according to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism’s Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report.

    Four Stars for Peeling Paint and Broken Doors? What’s Behind High Airbnb Ratings

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    The average rating for U.S. homes on Airbnb, excluding room rentals, was 4.74 stars in 2022, with nearly identical or identical averages in 2021 and 2019, according to AirDNA data.

    Booking.com looks to Expand Vacation Rental Options

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    In Booking.com’s Super Bowl commercial, actress Melissa McCarthy was used to drive the point that the brand is delving further into the alternative accommodation space.

    Arizona Short-Term Rentals Caused Few Issues During Super Bowl

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    Residents filed just 50 complaints against short-term rentals across the five largest Valley cities in Arizona during the recent Super Bowl, amid a recent clampdown on the industry. Combined, there are about 9,100 short-term rentals in those communities.

    AirDNA: Supply in Europe Reaches Pre-pandemic Levels

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 27
    European short-term rental demand had a strong January, with 18.1 percent more nights stayed than January last year and a huge 28 percent more than in 2019, according to data from AirDNA. This extended seasonality pushed occupancy up 5 percent from last year and 6 percent above pre-pandemic levels.

    Parts of Short-Term Rental Ordinance Ruled Unconstitutional

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 23
    A Clark County, Nev., District Court judge has ruled that portions of a county ordinance regulating short-term rentals are unconstitutional.

    Dallas Says Decision on Short-term Rentals Not Coming Before Spring

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 23
    Dallas officials say the earliest the City Council would make a decision on what to do about short-term rentals in residential neighborhoods is the spring. The council is tentatively scheduled to be briefed April 4 on the latest recommendations to regulate properties listed on platforms.

    AirDNA: Strong start to 2023 for US short-term rental bookings

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 23
    Data from AirDNA show US short-term rental occupancy in January stabilizing just 1.3 percent lower than last year.

    New Orleans City Council Will Wait Until After Mardi Gras to Discuss New Short-Term Rental Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    The New Orleans City Council will wait until after Mardi Gras to discuss new rules governing short-term rentals, according to a statement released by the office of council president JP Morrell. The council will hold its next public meeting on the new regulations in early March.

    NC Appeals Court Urged to Throw Out Chapel Hill’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    A lawsuit filed at the N.C. Court of Appeals challenges Chapel Hill’s short-term rental ordinance, arguing that the town had no authority to put the ordinance in place. The brief urges appellate judges to reverse a trial court order favoring the town.

    Bill Would Make Local Bans on Short-Term Rentals Illegal in S.C.

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    A measure introduced this year in the South Carolina State House would make imposing local bans on short-term rentals illegal.

    Are Regulations Needed to Keep Short-Term Rentals Accountable? Pensacola, Fla., Wants More Data

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    Pensacola, Fla., City Council members largely agreed that they wanted more data on short-term rentals in the city before formulating any regulations.

    Youngstown, N.Y., Looking at Short-Term Rental Regulations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    The Village of Youngstown, N.Y., is considering regulations for short-term rental properties. During a recent Board of Trustee’s meeting, Deputy Mayor Kyle Heath said the village has been working on coming up with a framework for regulation.

    More Changes Could Come for Atlanta Short-Term Rental Hosts

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    Residents of Atlanta, Ga., who rely on the money from having multiple short-term rentals in Atlanta told city council members on Feb. 20 that red tape makes it hard for them to stay afloat.

    VRMA Is Working to Oppose HB84 in Hawaii, a Bill That Targets Legal STRs

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    VRMA is aware of the below measure, HB84, and is working alongside industry partners to oppose this bill as it moves through the legislature. Hawaii State Rep. Sean Quinlan introduced the measure, which would allow counties to change the zoning of short term rentals.

    It’s a Richcession, Not a Recession

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    Most economic downturns hit lower-income Americans hardest, but current economic uncertainty is hitting the wealthy as well, as data on short-term rentals reflect.

    getawayGoGo and Happy.Rentals Partner for European Distribution

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 21
    Online travel marketplace getawayGoGo has partnered with European property management company Happy.Rentals for the distribution of more than 2,500 properties across 11 countries.

    Council Votes to Keep Short-Term Rentals in Residential Areas Illegal

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 15
    The Fort Worth City, Texas, Council approved a new ordinance for short-term rentals. Council members voted unanimously to continue to allow short-term rentals only in mixed-use and commercial areas.

    Best Places to Invest in U.S. Vacation Rentals in 2023: AirDNA

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 15
    AirDNA, has released its 2023 Best Places to Invest report, highlighting cities in the Midwest and Northeast as surprising hotspots.

    Where Have All the Short-Term Renters Gone? To the Desert

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 15
    For the past year, short-term rental booking demand in U.S. deserts has been particularly hot, data from AirDNA show. Arizona’s Phoenix and Scottsdale area has seen a 41 percent year-over-year increase in booking demand as of December 2022.

    Vancouver's Tourists to Pay New Tax Until 2030 to Cover FIFA World Cup Costs

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Visitors to Vancouver, Canada, now have an extra fee tacked on to their short-term rental bills to cover the costs the city will pay for hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    Vacasa Chief Commercial Officer Exits, COO Role Elevated

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    The looming departure of Vacasa's Chief Commercial Officer Craig Smith has prompted a new executive reshuffling, as a filing with the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission indicates he will leave after March 13.

    Breezeway Launches Digital Welcome Book for Rental Providers

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Breezeway has announced the launch of Breezeway Guide, a fully-integrated digital welcome book for guests.

    Expedia Gives Optimistic Outlook for Travel Bounceback in 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Expedia Group executives harbor a positive outlook for travel demand in the current quarter, following lower-than-expected fourth-quarter results. While sales climbed 15 percent to $2.62 billion last quarter, they fell short of the average analyst's estimate of $2.7 billion.

    Airbnb to Make ID Verification Mandatory for Reservations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Airbnb will soon mandate that guests provide verification from a valid government-issued ID or a legal address at the time of booking. Airbnb's Tara Bunch said the requirement is designed to boost safety, and was made at hosts' requests.

    Whimstay CEO David Weiss Explains the Surest Way to Get a Deal on a Vacation Booking

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Vacation rental business Whimstay, with its emphasis on "last minute" travelers, operates on the idea that the cheapest time to buy or rent is when the market is not crowded.

    Florida's Gulf Coast Fights to Rebound After Hurricane Ian

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 14
    Communities on Florida's gulf coast are struggling to recover following Hurricane Ian, with Sanibel Island Mayor Holly Smith recently stating, "There's no spring break here."

    How Much Will it Cost to Stay in the Phoenix Area for Super Bowl Weekend? (Hint: Much More Than Last Weekend)

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    According to short-term rental analytics firm AirDNA, the average booked rate in Glendale, Ariz., in advance of Super Bowl weekend was around $740 per night, compared to last weekend, when travelers could book a short-term rental in Glendale for closer to $225 per night.

    Hoover City Council Approves Ordinance Restricting Certain Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    The Hoover City, Ala., Council passed an ordinance that will restrict certain short-term rentals in the city.

    Albuquerque to Consider Capping Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller says he wants to cap the number of vacation rentals in the city at 1,200 and, for the first time, regulate how many an individual owner can have.

    El Paso Short-Term Rental Property Owners Voice Their Concerns on Regulations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    The City of El Paso, Texas, held a community meeting regarding a proposed permit fee and hotel occupancy tax for short-term rental (STR). Other proposals include a 500 feet requirement between each rental property and maximum occupants and minimum parking requirements.

    Guesty Launches Direct Reservations Solutions With Guesty Websites

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Guesty has launched its Direct Reservations Solutions, offering Guesty Websites, Guesty Booking Engine, Manual Reservations, customer relationship management capabilities, and revenue management for direct reservations.

    Heritage Travel Can Unlock Tourism Benefits for EU Communities

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Airbnb Regional Director for EMEA Emmanuel Marill was scheduled to present to members of the European Committee of the Regions and meet with the European Parliament Cultural Heritage Intergroup to champion the benefits of heritage travel for tourism dispersal in Europe.

    Vacation Rentals Trending in Montana

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    While already a growing trend, the pandemic saw a surge in the number of short-term rentals, including in Montana.

    Saudi Arabia Set for Surge in Demand for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Saudi Arabia is set for an increase in demand in short-term rentals. With citizens now allowed to operate property rentals after a new rental platform was announced last month, the sector is expected to grow quickly.

    A Strong Dollar Has U.S. Buyers Flooding Overseas Housing Markets

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Ninety-two percent of high-net-worth Americans actively looked at real estate overseas in 2022, according to survey data from Coldwell Banker Global Luxury’s 2022 Trend Report.

    As Super Bowl Looms, Valley Homeowners Prepare to Rent Out Luxury Homes

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 8
    Phoenix-area short-term rental owners are preparing their properties for the influx of visitors coming to watch Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

    Starting a Successful Vacation Rental: Tips from the Experts

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 7
    VRMA recently lent its thoughts to an industry blog on strategies for short-term rental business owners. 

    Airbnb and Expedia Turn Customer Cash Into Profit, Aided by Rising Interest Rates

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 1
    Short-term rental companies like Airbnb, Expedia Group, and Booking Holdings invest billions of dollars of their customers' money for their own profits, and thanks to rising interest rates, returns on these investments are at record levels.

    Vacation Rental Bookings Rise in January 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Feb 1
    Data and insights platform Key Data found a major increase in the number of vacation rental reservations made in January 2023. As the data partner of the VRMA, Key Data compared U.S. and U.K. reservations made on Airbnb and Vrbo during the first three weeks of January to the same period in 2022.

    Folly Beach Builder Files Lawsuit over Pause on Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Builder Michael Riffert with Folly East Indian Co., LLC has filed a lawsuit against the city of Folly Beach, S.C., claiming the city’s pause of short-term rentals is unconstitutional.

    Airbnb Warns a Puerto Rico Bill Would Essentially Ban Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Carlos Muñoz, Airbnb’s director of public policy and communications for Central America and the Caribbean, said pending legislation in Puerto Rico that would limit the use of short-term rentals in residential areas is a “defacto prohibition."

    Biloxi Planning Commission Discusses City’s Future With Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    The Biloxi, Miss., Planning Commission is considering the city’s approach with short-term rentals.

    Planning Commission Endorses Block Caps for New Orleans Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    The New Orleans City Planning Commission endorsed a one per blockface limit on short-term rentals in residential areas.

    Maui County Sees Largest Vacation Rental Supply, Occupancy, Average Rates in State

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply, occupancy, and average daily rates (ADR) of all four of Hawaii's counties last month, according to a recent state report.

    Cascade Vacation Rentals Nearly Doubles Portfolio With the Addition of Poplar River Condos at Lutsen

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Cascade Vacation Rentals added 72 units of the Poplar River Condos at Lutsen in Minnesota to their portfolio. The company now offers 186 properties, located from south of Duluth to the Canadian border and up the Gunflint Trail.

    2022 Ends on High Note for European Short-Term Rentals: AirDNA

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Short-term rentals in Europe ended last year on a high note, with 10.2 percent more nights booked than in December 2019 and 47.4 percent more than in 2021, according to data from AirDNA.

    Vrbo Is Cracking Down on Super Bowl Parties in Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Vrbo is trying to help property managers detect football fans who want to rent homes over the Super Bowl weekend to throw unauthorized parties by tracking factors like length of stay and number of guests.

    New Efforts Spotlight Sustainability in Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 31
    Owners of short-term rentals (STRs) currently lack an industry-specific standard of sustainability to work toward.

    Tripadvisor, Airbnb, Expedia, Booking.com Web Traffic Bodes Well for 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 25
    Tripadvisor, Expedia, Airbnb and Booking.com enjoyed a large enough increase in visitor traffic on both a yearly and monthly basis to bode well for this year, according to the analysis by digital intelligence platform Similarweb.

    Expedia Group Announces First Cohort for Startup Accelerator Focused on Underserved Travelers

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 25
    Expedia announced the first group of tech companies taking part in its new Open World Accelerator program. The 12 startups were chosen from hundreds of applicants worldwide focused on building tech products meant to improve accessibility for underserved travelers.

    San Bernardino Begins Work on Rules for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The city of San Bernardino, Calif., plans to begin regulating short-term rentals (STRs). In the coming weeks, city staffers will craft regulations for STRs based on those in other cities and put them before the Planning Commission in February for consideration.

    One Vacation Rental Per Block? New Orleans Gets First Draft of New Law

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The latest recommendations for permanent rules on short-term rentals in New Orleans would make key changes to how the units are licensed, limiting the number of permits in neighborhoods to one per each side of a block and requiring the rental operator to live on site.

    Lewiston Approves Short-Term Rental Regulations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The Village of Lewiston in New York has adopted new regulations for short-term rental properties and a limit on how many can operate in its borders. "We are not trying to stop short-term rentals," said Mayor Anne Welch. "We think they’re great for village.

    Fort Worth City Council to Vote on Registration Rules for Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The Fort Worth City Council in Texas will later in January vote on rules that would require owners of short-term rentals to register with the city.

    Douglas County, Colo., to Hear from Public on Short-Term Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The Board of Douglas County, Colo., Commissioners was scheduled to convene a town hall meeting on Jan. 25 to discuss short-term rentals. Board members have been hearing from property owners about expanding the market for vacation rentals.

    Holiday Home Registration System to Be Simplified in Ras Al Khaimah

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority is set to introduce measures that will simplify the holiday homes system in the UAE emirate, whereby owners and operators access an electronic registration portal to register their residential units on a short-term rental basis.

    Guesty Expands C-suite and Management Team

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    Guesty promoted Nesya Gilad and Galit Rabby to its C-suite and Tal Sieger to its management team. Gilad is the newly appointed chief marketing officer, after spending the past four years as Guesty’s vice president of marketing.

    How Data Sharing Between Platforms and Tax Agencies Affects Short-Term Rental Markets

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 24
    The Danish government in 2018 negotiated an agreement with Airbnb about the transmission of data on income earned by users on the platform to the country’s tax agency.

    Japan Likely to Ease Rules on Minpaku Vacation Rentals to Boost Regional Tourism

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 19
    The government of Japan is expected toy relax the requirements for management companies operating minpaku lodging businesses that rent properties to travelers, eliminating the requirement that their staff have practical experience or qualifications in the real estate business.

    Larimer County, Colo., Seeks Feedback on Latest Draft of Vacation Rental Policy

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Larimer County, Colorado, is soliciting feedback on the latest version of its vacation rental policy.

    Hamilton, Ontario, to Restrict Short-Term Rentals to Owner's Principal Residence with Time Limit

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Hamilton, Ontario, will impose limits on owners of AirBnb properties to protect its rental housing market and eliminate so-called “party houses.”

    Tempe, Ariz., Moves Forward With New Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Tempe is joining cities in Arizona like Peoria and Scottsdale in requiring property owners to get a license and notify their neighbors.

    Kansas City, Mo., Voters to Decide Fate of Short-Term Rental Taxes to April Ballot

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    The Kansas City, Mo., City Council voted to add two ordinances to the April 4 ballot, hoping to expand tax law to include short-term rentals. Due to current city and state laws, Kansas City cannot charge an occupancy fee or a convention and tourism tax as it does on hotels and motels.

    Sonder Eliminates Cleaning Fees

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Sonder has eliminated cleaning fees for guests, rolling out what it calls “zero cleaning fees” in November, although there was no formal announcement.

    Nomadness Rentals Purchases Steamboat Office Building

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Nomadness Rentals has acquired a new office building in Steamboat Springs, Colo. The company announced that the purchase will give Nomadness additional space for its growing team while allowing the company to better serve its customers in the area.

    Minut Launches "World First” Indoor/Outdoor Hospitality Sensor

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Minut has launched a new-generation sensor, described as “the world’s first native outdoor noise monitoring solution built specifically for the hospitality industry." The sensor features new technology called AudioID, which uses machine learning to filter out the wind noise around the sensor.

    Greater Price Transparency in Short-Term Rentals Will Catch Fire

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 18
    Airbnb's move to provide more price transparency throughout the world outside Europe will ripple across the short-term rental industry, writes Skift Executive Editor Dennis Schaal.

    With Residents Divided, Madison, Conn., Explores Ordinance Regulating Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    As officials consider an ordinance to regulate short-term rentals (STRs) in Madison, Conn., debate continues among residents. Since at least 2021, a group of residents has been petitioning the town to ban property rentals of fewer than 30 days in residential districts.

    Implementation of New Short-Term Rental Registration in Nantucket Delayed

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    Nantucket, Massachusetts, has delayed the implementation of local short-term rental registration while the island's Health Department awaits a new office manager following the retirement of Anne Barrett.

    Most Scottsdale Vacation Rentals Are Still Unlicensed, Despite Jan. 8 Deadline

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    Thousands of short-term rental (STR) properties in Scottsdale, Ariz., are still in noncompliance with an ordinance adopted in October that requires properties that can be rented for fewer than 30 days to be licensed by the city.

    Tybee Alliance Launches Second Lawsuit Against City's STR Ordinance

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    The city of Tybee Island, Ga., is facing a second lawsuit from Tybee Alliance, a coalition of property managers and owners who have accused the local government of overreach in their short-term rental (STR) regulations.

    Hinchey Introduces Bill to Track and Tax Vacation Rentals in New York

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    A new bill aims to create state-level regulation of short-term rentals in New York.

    Only Three Sedona Hosts Have Applied to a Program That Would Pay Local Landlords to Rent Homes to Residents

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    An effort by Sedona, Ariz., to get short-term rental (STR) property owners to delist their properties is off to a slow start.

    Where Are the Most Profitable Winter Vacation Rentals?

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    Vacasa examined a year's worth of rental and sales data in 135 U.S. markets where the company or its subsidiaries manage at least 50 units to find the top locations in which to buy profitable winter rentals based on capitalization rate.

    Nights Booked Online Up 9 Percent in the Summer of 2022

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 9
    Guests spent a total of about 251 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the European Union during the third quarter through rental platform bookings, an increase of around 24 percent compared with the same period of 2021, according to data from Eurostat.

    Woodstock's Short-Term Rental Owners Again Ask for Fair Treatment

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    Short-term rental operators in Woodstock, New York, are once again lobbying for more inclusion following Supervisor Bill McKenna reopening discussions of revisions to the town's short-term rental rules.

    Peoria, Ariz., Adds New Rules for Vacation and Short-Term Rental Properties

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    Peoria, Arizona, will become the latest city to adopt new regulations for vacation and short-term rental (STR) properties, under which owners must apply for a free permit with the city and adhere to neighbor notification and health and safety requirements.

    Short-Term Rental Reform Lobbying Ban Divides Leaders Across Arizona

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    A lobbying suspension pact between short-term rental companies and a statewide organization representing municipalities has split city and town leaders in Arizona.

    Toronto Enforcing 180-Night Maximum Allowance for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    The city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is now enforcing a 180-night maximum allowance for short-term rentals via a bylaw instituted in 2019 to limit short-term rental activity to principal residences.

    Philly Starts Enforcing New Rules for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    The new year has brought Philadelphia a new regulatory regime for short-term rental (STR) properties.

    Hawaii Island Bill Seeks to Limit Number of Guests in Short-Term Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    Heather Kimball and Ashley Kierkiewicz of the Hawaii County Council are sponsoring legislation that would require hosted vacation rentals to register with the county, similar to laws regulating “unhosted” short-term vacation rentals.

    NYC Could Lose 10,000 Airbnb Listings Because of New Short-Term Rental Regulations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    A new short-term rental registration law put forth by the administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams could remove 10,000 Airbnb listings from the market in January.

    As Remote Workers Flock to Mexico City, Airbnb and Housing Prices Soar

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    Since the pandemic, Mexico City has become a global hub for foreign remote workers, some of whom are using Airbnb to find long-term rentals, pushing prices for those rentals, and housing in general, higher.

    HomeToGo Teases Modes Launch in 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    HomeToGo CEO Patrick Andrae has alluded to the possible launch of the HomeToGo Modes product next year, which he described as offering a “hyper-curated vacation rental browsing experience completely based on unique interests.”

    EU Court Rules Airbnb Must Provide Rental Info to Tax Authorities

    By: VRMA Administrator | Jan 4
    The European Union's top court ruled that Airbnb must provide information in rental contracts to tax authorities and withhold tax under a national regime.

    Black Travelers Say Home-Share Hosts Discriminate, and a New Airbnb Report Agrees

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    A new Airbnb report appears to confirm Black travelers' suspicions that home-sharing platforms racially discriminate, and details remedial steps it has implemented.

    Volusia County Judge Upholds County's Short-Term Rental Regulations Disputed in Lawsuit

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    Volusia County, Florida, Judge Kathryn D. Weston ruled on Dec. 12 that the county's code of ordinances bans short-term rentals of less than 30 days in residential zones, but the Vacation Rental Home Alliance (VRHA) of Volusia will file an appeal.

    Halifax Council Defers Short-Term Rental Decision

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    The Regional Council of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, has opted to defer the matter of deciding on short-term rental regulation until the spring as it gathers more data.

    City of San Diego Wants More Short-Term Rental Hosts to Apply for a License

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    San Diego, California, will again try to coax short-term rental hosts to apply for a required license under new regulations that come into force on May 1.

    A New Reality for Travel and Hospitality: STRz 2023 Predictions

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    Short Term Rentalz envisions six predictions for the travel and hospitality industry coming to pass in 2023. "Best in class" technology investment will be driven not for the sake of simply having technology, but by what makes the most sense for property managers' needs and portfolios.

    Niche Short-Term Rental Startups Are Saturating the Market: It Can't Last

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    The niche short-term rental market is starting to tighten, and startups investing in booking software should prepare accordingly. The post-pandemic boom for these companies will eventually end, and a shakeout is likely when pitted against big platforms like Expedia and Airbnb.

    AirDNA Outlook: U.S. Short-Term Rentals Mature with Tempered Growth in 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 20
    The U.S. short-term rental (STR) industry is poised for continued expansion despite a possible recession, according to AirDNA's 2023 outlook report.

    Short-Term Rental Ruling Against Blowing Rock, NC, Emphasizes 'Free Use of Property'

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled against the town of Blowing Rock in a short-term rental dispute in a decision highlighting the importance of the "free use of property."

    Kansas City Requires Short-Term Rentals to Be Licensed. A New Study Found Over 90 Percent Aren't

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    A new report called Kansas City’s regulation of short-term rentals “ineffective and inefficient,” noting that just 7 percent of them actually comply with city law. According to the report, short-term rental sites listed 4,175 residences between August 2018 and August 2022.

    East Point, GA, Works to Simplify Permitting for Short-Term Rental Properties

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    East Point, Georgia, is streamlining its permitting procedures for short-term rental properties, with city spokeswoman Shannon Wiggins saying 30 business licenses are currently issued for properties.

    City of Austin Wants to Stop Unlicensed Short-Term Rentals. Here's How the Council Plans to Do It

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    The city council of Austin, Texas, plans to halt the operation of unlicensed short-term rentals.

    Chattanooga City Council May Extend Temporary Pause on Certain Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    The Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Council will soon decide whether to extend by up to six months a temporary moratorium on new permits for non-owner-occupied short-term rentals.

    Judge Sets March 31 Deadline for New Short-Term Rental Law in New Orleans

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    U.S. District Court Judge Ivan Lemelle said he would impose a hard March 31 deadline for the New Orleans, Louisiana, City Council to pass a new short-term rental ordinance for residential districts.

    Irish Government Approves Short-Term Rental Registration Scheme

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    Ireland's government has cleared the priority drafting of a registration scheme as part of the Short-Term Tourist Letting Bill and the publication of the General Scheme of the Bill. Government officials lauded the move as a major step toward implementing the Housing for All policy.

    U.K. PM Sunak Pledges Commitment to Short-Term Let Registration Scheme

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to introduce a short-term let registration scheme soon, enabling the government to “better understand and monitor the impact of short-term lets on local communities.”

    The Housing Slowdown Is Wreaking Havoc on the Short-Term Rental Market

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    As more houses go up for sale and less are scooped up, short-term renters are seeing a big drop in demand for vacation homes. As of October 2022, the number of future nights booked increased 15.8 percent year-over-year.

    Property Managers and Hosts Report Lack of Progress in Direct Bookings: Survey

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    Hostfully polled 375 property managers and individual hosts (75 percent in the U.S., 13 percent in Europe, and 12 percent in the rest of the world) for its 2022 Vacation Rental Industry & Hospitality Report. The results indicate stable direct bookings percentages.

    U.S. Overtakes Europe for Largest Share of Rental Bookings

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 13
    The United States has overtaken Europe in 2022 for the largest regional share of short-term rental (STR) bookings. Europe's decline is expected to continue due to economy- and war-related headwinds, as well as tougher regulatory restrictions in key markets.

    NYC Spars With Hosts Over STR Laws

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 7
    Proposed changes to short-term rental laws sparked a public debate between New York City officials and property owners.

    Airbnb Launches Platform Allowing Renters to Host Apartments, Partnering with Major Landlords

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 7
    Airbnb has teamed up with major landlords and management firms to list designated apartment buildings where renters can offer short-term sublets onsite.

    Short-Term Rental Owners Band Together Over Proposed Changes in Lexington

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    Dozens of short-term rental owners attended a Special Planning and Public Safety Committee meeting in Lexington, Kentucky, to voice their concerns about proposed zoning and code ordinances, with many expressing anxiety that their business could end.

    Kansas City Auditor's Office Release Audit Assessing Taxes, Fees on Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    The Kansas City, Missouri, Auditor's Office has issued an audit on the effect of short-term rentals on the city's convention and tourism (C&T) taxes and fees.

    Changes to Regulations for Short-Term Rentals Sent to Full Fayetteville City Council

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    A Fayetteville, Arkansas, City Council committee agreed to partly revise the city's short-term rentals ordinance.

    Wander Raises $100 Million from Credit Suisse, Jumpstarting New Captive REIT Model for Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    Eighteen-month-old short-term rental company Wander has raised a $100 million debt facility from Credit Suisse to expedite procurement of more homes for its portfolio, aiming to have a Wander property within a three-hour drive for 80% percent of the U.S. population.

    Short-Term Rental Project YotelPad Miami Welcomes Tourists

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    The developer of the Miami, Florida-based YotelPad hotel-condominium short-term rental project says hosts can finally start renting out their spaces for daily stays as of this month, following the resolution of a regulatory holdup.

    Africa Travel Investor Finds New Rental Venture Incompatible With Remote Workers

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    Kenya-based Purple Elephant Ventures has shuttered its Wavel rental platform due to incompatibility with remote workers.

    Minut Partners with Sykes Holiday Cottages to Protect 'Thousands'

    By: VRMA Administrator | Dec 6
    U.K. property monitoring company Minut has teamed with holiday rental agency Sykes Holiday Cottages in its push to promote sustainable short-term renting.

    Breezeway Announces WhatsApp Integration and Language Translation

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 29
    Breezeway is growing its global presence, targeting more short-term rental property managers and service providers.

    Irish Government Targets 20k Holiday Homes for Ukrainian Refugees

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 29
    The Irish government is seeking up to 20,000 holiday homes to house Ukrainian refugees by having homeowners register on offerahome.ie before being directed to the relevant local authority in order to streamline the host-refugee matching process.

    Estes Valley Vacation Rental Property Owners Balk at Proposed Changes to Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 28
    Larimer County, Colorado, is considering revising short-term rental policies, which homeowners in Estes Valley say will complicate their ability to earn income from their properties.

    City: Lottery to Apply for Short-Term Rental Home Licenses Closing

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 28
    The application period for San Diego, California, short-term rental hosts to enter a lottery to receive one of 6,500 licenses to continue operating closed on Nov. 30.

    Spanish Short-Term Rentals Boom Has Tourist Sector Clamoring for Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 28
    Spanish travel industry association Exceltur estimates that roughly 300,000 homes are offered for short-term rental in Spain's 20 largest cities, with hotels managing approximately 389,779 rooms.

    Maui Has the Largest Vacation Rental Supply in Hawai'i with 211,900 Available Unit Nights

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 28
    Maui County had the largest vacation rental supply of all four Hawaii counties in October 2022 with 211,900 available unit nights, a 2.9 percent gain from 2021 and a 34.5 percent decrease from 2019.

    Airbnb Listings Reach Record 6.1 Million

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 28
    AirDNA estimates that 54 percent of worldwide Airbnb listings have been added since 2020, leading to a record 6.1 million active listings in September. Listings in the third quarter rose 22 percent compared to 2019 with a migration toward destination markets.

    Five Ways to Recession-Proof a Short-Term Rental Business

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    Boostly founder Mark Simpson offers five tips for short-term rental businesses to fortify themselves against a recession.

    Short-Term Rentals Now Regulated in Baton Rouge Under New Provisions

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    Short-term rentals such as Airbnbs will now be fully regulated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, per a recent Metro Council vote, although the removal of one amendment has chagrined some neighborhood representatives.

    Group of Clark County Short-Term Rental Owners Say Their Property Rights Are Being Overly Regulated

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    The Greater Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Association has legally challenged Clark County, Nevada's short-term rental regulations, calling them excessive.

    Hobbit Houses and Atlanta's Short-Term Rental Debate

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    The status of hobbit houses at the Wylde Center's Hawk Hollow garden in Atlanta, Georgia, is overlooked in the debate about the city's short-term rental ordinance, which is currently on hold.

    Airbnb Aims to Convince More People to Rent Out Their Homes

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    Airbnb hopes to grow its listings by persuading more people to rent out their homes.

    Sustainable Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    ReAlpha CEO Giri Devanur writes that sustainable short-term rentals (SSTRs) are critical to the future of the short-term rental industry.

    Short-Term Rental Firm RedAwning Bought Channel Manager Lexicon Travel Technologies

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    California-based short-term rental company RedAwning announced its acquisition of channel manager Lexicon Travel Technologies, without disclosing terms.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Wheelhouse CEO Andrew Kitchell

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 22
    Speaking at the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Wheelhouse founder and CEO Andrew Kitchell discussed the role hybrid pricing will play in the industry, how the company is looking to spend the $16 million it raised in April, and what he sees for the future of the software landscape.

    Six Martha's Vineyard Planning Boards Convene to Address Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Members of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts' six town planning boards met virtually to address action on short-term rentals.

    Neighbors Fighting Neighbors? A 30-Day Minimum Law for Airbnbs Has Oahu Homeowners Split

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    A new ordinance in Hawaii stipulates that travelers wishing to stay in Airbnbs away from the tourist-heavy areas of Oahu cannot book stays of fewer than 30 days.

    Knoxville Holds a Workshop to Tighten Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    The city council of Knoxville, Tennessee, held a workshop to discuss stricter regulation of short-term rentals. The current ordinance requires owners to secure a permit to operate their properties, but research suggests some rentals are being overlooked.

    Airbnb Will Soon Show Prices Inclusive of All Fees in Search Results

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said the platform is honing its search results to show total price inclusive of all fees, which will be launched in December. The feature also will prioritize the total pre-tax trip charges instead of the nightly price in its search ranking algorithm.

    Booking.com's Stagnant Mix of Short-Term Rental Stays Is a Not Necessarily Bad Thing

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Booking.com estimated that its mix of short-term rental bookings in the third quarter represented a slight uptick of about 30 percent compared with 2019.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Ela Mezhiborsky, Autohost

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Speaking at the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Autohost co-founder and president, Ela Mezhiborsky, discussed what she and property managers will have taken away from the event.

    HomeToGo Boosted by Last-Minute Summer Bookings

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Germany-based vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has reported booking revenue of €43 million for the third quarter, a 53 percent year-over-year gain fueled by high volume of last-minute bookings in July and August.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Nate Wysk, PointCentral

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Speaking at the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Nate Wysk, general manager at PointCentral, discussed the latest tech trends and how smart technology can combat economic headwinds.

    Competition for Leisure Guests Heats Up Between Hotels and Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 15
    Competition between short-term rentals and hotels has accelerated in the fight for leisure guests, according to a new joint report from hospitality data supplier STR and short-term rental analytics provider AirDNA, with the price gap tightening and rental supply falling behind in urban markets.

    Global Initiative Launched to Drive Industry Best Practice for Sustainability

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 9
    The short-term rental sector has announced a new initiative to promote responsible hospitality and continued best practice growth for sustainability.

    Short-Term Rental Operators Sue Sechelt Over Land Use Regulations

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    A group of property owners is suing British Columbia's District of Sechelt in Canada to reverse amendments to its business license bylaw that they claim unlawfully restrict the use of secondary homes as short-term rentals.

    Scottsdale Adopts Tighter Restrictions for Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    The city council of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed tighter short-term rental regulations requiring operators to "obtain and maintain a local license, conduct sex offender background checks on booking guests, carry liability insurance, and provide neighbor notification."

    Lawsuits Between TC Tourism, Golden Swan Raise Questions About Short-Term Rental Assessments

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    The issue of whether private vacation rentals in Michigan are beholden to the same tax levies as hotels, motels, and other lodgings in the state has been raised by litigation between Traverse City Tourism and short-term vacation rental coordinator Golden Swan Management.

    A Pennsylvania Law That Required an STR Manager to Get a Real Estate License Is Unconstitutional, Judge Says

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    A Pennsylvania judge has ruled that the state's real estate licensing requirements are unconstitutional in the case of a North Jersey woman who operated short-term vacation rental properties in the Poconos.

    NYC Proposes Strict STR Registration Rules to Take Effect in January

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    New York City is moving toward cracking down on Airbnb hosts, with officials proposing a strict new registration system for hosts that will come into force in January.

    Airbnb Posts Best Quarter Yet on Relentless Travel Demand

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    Airbnb reported record revenues and profits in the third quarter, with net income climbing 46 percent year-over-year to $1.2 billion while revenue rose 29 percent to $2.9 billion.

    Too Many Rich People Bought Airbnbs. Now They're Sitting Empty

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    Market analysts say numerous U.S. Airbnbs are currently unoccupied because many affluent people and investors listed short-term rentals on the site following an explosion driven by the pandemic.

    Operto Guest Technologies Acquires STAYmyway

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    Operto Guest Technologies has bought Spain-based smart hospitality technology company STAYmyway, which has expanded into a premier technology provider across the European accommodation market.

    Vrbo Bookings Grew in Q3 Amid Surge in Short-Term Rental Demand

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    Vrbo parent company Expedia Group explained at a recent earnings call that bookings on the platform increased 12.5 percent to $1.8 billion in the third quarter compared to a year ago.

    EU Wants STR Platforms to Share Bookings Data with Authorities

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    The European Commission said on Monday that short-term home rental companies will have to share data on the number of people using their platforms under proposed EU rules.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Mariah Kamei, AirDNA

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    At the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Mariah Kamei, vice president of marketing at AirDNA, addressed the reports of #Airbnbust on social media.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Launching the 100 Collection

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 8
    Speaking at the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Travis Wilburn and Rebecca Lombardo discuss why they launched the 100 Collection.

    Using Fake Positive Hotel Reviews to Outflank Short-Term Rental Rivals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 2
    A study published in MIS Quarterly indicates that premium hotels start posting fake laudatory reviews online when premium short-term rentals enter their market as competitors.

    Scottsdale Finalizes Short-Term Rental Rules That Are More Lax Than Proposed

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    The City Council of Scottsdale, Arizona, passed short-term rental restrictions that were lightly less stringent than those proposed last month.

    Voters Across Colorado's High Country Will Weigh Short-Term Rentals, Affordable Housing

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Up to 14 Colorado municipalities and counties will ask voters to raise or retool taxes on short-term rental properties to help pay for affordable housing. "This is about finding the right balance point," said Summit County Commissioner Tamara Pogue.

    Jeff Bezos Receives Backlash for Backing a Company Buying Up Single-Family Homes

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Amazon.com owner Jeff Bezos' investment in a real estate startup scooping up single-family homes in several U.S. states has invited criticism. The Arrived platform enables retail investors to buy shares of single-family homes that are used as either long-term or short-term rentals.

    Berlin to Start Tracking Airbnb Listings

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Airbnb announced that starting next March, hosts in Berlin, Germany, must obtain a property registration number for long-term rentals. Properties being rented for at least three months have to display a valid registration number on their online listings.

    Mexico City Partners With Airbnb to Entice Digital Nomads

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    The government of Mexico City, Mexico, has unveiled plans to attract more remote workers after entering a partnership with Airbnb and the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

    France Wants to Ban Poorly Insulated STRs

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    France will seek to block poorly-insulated housing from being listed on short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, according to Olivier Kleinthe, the French junior minister for housing and cities.

    Hawaii Vacation Rentals Saw a Dip in Occupancy Last Month

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    The Hawaii Tourism Authority and state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism's latest monthly Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report found vacation rentals were 59 percent occupied in September.

    Island Sees Significant Uptick in Short-Term Rental Properties

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Homes registered as short-term rentals on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, rose 35 percent over the summer, with realtors, rental agents, and listing agencies partly attributing the gain to delayed compliance with a 2018 ordinance requiring homeowners to register starting July 1, 2019.

    VRMA 2022 Takeaways: STRz Editor Paul Stevens

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Short Term Rentalz editor Paul Stevens gives five takeaways from the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas.

    VRMA 2022 Interviews: Breezeway CEO Jeremy Gall

    By: VRMA Administrator | Nov 1
    Speaking at the 2022 VRMA International Conference in Las Vegas, Breezeway founder and CEO Jeremy Gall discussed the company’s safety partnership with VRMA and the trick to winning two Shortyz Awards and a VRMA Award this year.

    Mesa Becomes Latest City to Regulate Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    Mesa, Arizona, is the latest East Valley city to regulate short-term rentals, following ordinances enacted in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley earlier this year.

    New Orleans City Council Moves to Halt New Short-Term Rental Permits Until March 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    The New Orleans, Louisiana, City Council voted to temporarily stop issuing new short-term rental (STR) permits in residential neighborhoods until at least next March as part of a wider campaign to contain their impact on affordable housing.

    A 90-Day Minimum on 'Harmful' Short-Term Rentals? Oahu Residents Speak Up

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    A coalition of neighborhood and environmental organizations wants their voice heard in the latest legal skirmish over short-term rental regulation in Oahu, Hawaii.

    iTrip Vacations Launches New Franchise in California

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    iTrip Vacations has initiated a California expansion by launching iTrip Vacations Temecula in Temecula Valley, overseen by Gemma Hentrich. The short-term rental property management company will accommodate homeowners and guests in Temecula, Murrieta, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, and Canyon Lake.

    Travel Advantage Network Announces the Launch of RevBoost Collective

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    Travel Advantage Network (TAN) has announced the launch of RevBoost Collective, which expands its guaranteed rental revenue program to the vacation rental sector nationwide. "This is the perfect time to officially launch RevBoost Collective," stated TAN President Scott Fasano.

    AirDNA: European Short-Term Rental Industry Slows Down After All-Time Records Summer

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    AirDNA found Europe's short-term rental industry started to cool toward the end of the peak summer period, ending September with 39.2 million nights stayed, which is 22.9 percent more than last year, yet 1.7 percent less than in 2019.

    AirDNA: U.S. Rental Occupancy Tightens Gap With Last Year's Highs

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 25
    AirDNA's latest market review found U.S. short-term rental demand had another record month, with 26.6 percent more nights stayed than in September 2019.

    Alex Husner Joins Casago as CMO

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 19
    Scottsdale, Arizona-based vacation rental management company Casago has named Alex Husner its new chief marketing officer (CMO) to head its East Coast expansion and extending the company brand within the global vacation rental sector.

    Property Owners Await Chattanooga's Decision on Short-Term Vacation Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    The City Council of Chattanooga, Tennessee, is mulling restrictions on short-term vacation rentals as a moratorium on applications for non-owner-occupied properties is due to expire in January.

    Douglas County Commissioners Vote to Keep Vacation Home Rentals in Tahoe

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    Douglas County, California, commissioners recently debated the county's current short-term rental program with the Vacation Home Rental Advisory Committee and the public.

    La Quinta Residents to Settle Short Term Rental Debate in General Election

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    Residents in La Quinta, California, will vote on a measure to permanently ban all short-term vacation rentals (STVR) in the city's residential neighborhoods in the general election. Tourist commercial districts and a few other sites would be excluded from the ban.

    Judge Halts Honolulu's 90-Day Short-Term Rental Law

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    U.S. District Court Judge Derrick Watson has granted a preliminary injunction ordering Honolulu, Hawaii, not to enforce the provisions in a new Oahu law that boosts the minimum allowable stay for Oahu rentals outside of resort districts from 30 days to 90 days.

    Short-Term Rentals Are Here to Stay

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    Demand for short-term rental properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is expected to ramp up further this year after the formal launch of new visa policies.

    New Report Outlining Economic Impact of Short-Term Rental Restrictions Met with Mixed Reviews

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    La Quinta and Palm Springs, California, are weighing additional restrictions to some short-term vacation rentals, but a new economic analysis by Tourism Economics indicates opinion is divided.

    Vacasa Appoints TurnKey Co-Founder as Chief Operating Officer

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    Vacasa has appointed TurnKey co-founder John Banczak its chief operating officer, effective immediately. TurnKey was Vacasa's primary competitor in North America until Vacasa acquired it for $619 million in April 2021. Banczak was Vacasa's chief strategy officer.

    U.S. Short-Term Rental Market Poised for Further Growth

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 18
    Further growth is anticipated for the U.S. short-term rental market. Although AirDNA says demand for short-term rentals is expected to increase by more than 20 percent this year, occupancy is projected to decline due to the amount of new inventory.

    Lawsuit: Tybee Vacation Rental Operators Call STVR Ordinance 'Unenforceable'

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    A coalition of vacation rental companies and individual homeowners has filed a lawsuit against the City of Tybee Island, Georgia, over its short-term vacation rental (STVR) ordinance. The Tybee Alliance claims the measure is legally unenforceable under state law.

    Short-Term Let Licensing Order Comes into Effect in Scotland

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    Scotland's Short-Term Lets Licensing Order officially went into effect on Oct. 8 and has been set up to enforce consistent safety standards across the country's tourism and hospitality industries.

    How One Florida County Is Confronting the Tourism Hit From Hurricane Ian

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    Lee County, Florida, was struck hard by Hurricane Ian, with many short-term vacation rental properties destroyed. Authorities have paused tourism in the county as they assess the full extent of the damage.

    Limit Short-Term Rentals to Improve Affordable Housing, Argues Philadelphia Fed CEO

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia CEO Patrick Harker claimed in a recent essay that short-term rentals play a critical role in spiking housing prices, urging municipalities in popular tourism areas to further rein in such businesses to help workers secure local housing.

    Airbnb and Short Let Trends Under the Microscope in London

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    A spring 2023 short lets industry summit organized by the European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), the U.K. Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), and the Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA) will focus on "maximizing opportunities in times of transition."

    Short-Term Rental Owners Provide Housing for Displaced Isles of Capri Residents

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 11
    Short-term rental owners on Marco Island, Florida, are providing temporary housing for displaced residents from Isles of Capri in the wake of Hurricane Ian.

    Short-Term Rentals to Face New Regulations in Cobb County

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 5
    Cobb County, Georgia, commissioners passed short-term rental rules requiring hosts to obtain a certificate of occupancy and designate a local agent that the county can contact to address complaints or issues.

    San Diego Rental Hosts Call New Short-Term Rental Application 'Unfair'

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 5
    Short-term rental hosts in San Diego, California, are infuriated with a new ordinance mandating that they acquire a license by May 1, 2023, saying it could put them out of business.

    Scottsdale's Proposed Short-Term Rental Regulations 'Very Limited' by State, Officials Say

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    Scottsdale, Arizona, has introduced a plan to effect tough short-term rental regulations, which officials said are "very limited" by state law due to minor penalties and little authority for cities to control the industry's impact on housing costs.

    Santa Fe County Delays Vote on Short-Term Rentals for More Review

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    The Santa Fe, New Mexico, County Commission postponed a vote on new rules for short-term rentals in order to further review the policy amid clashing views. The commission updated the proposed policy to address certain issues, although many short-term rental owners said they felt it was onerous.

    California Appeals Court Set to Hear Monterey County Vacation Rental Case

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    A California appeals court will soon hear oral arguments in a case filed by conservative Arizona think tank Goldwater Institute against the city of Pacific Grove for what the plaintiffs call illegal regulation of short-term rentals.

    Airbnb Hosts Try New Feature to Get Guests Traveling Again: Pickleball

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    Pickleball is an amenity that Airbnb and Vrbo hosts are increasingly offering, with AirDNA estimating that the number of pickleball citations rose 32 percent to nearly 1,300 from 2019.

    Implementing Sustainability into the Hospitality Industry

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    VTrips CEO Steve Milo writes that Japan's hospitality industry is a model of sustainability that other vacation rentals can aspire to. "The constant strive for perfection is reflected in environmentally friendly enterprises and a drive to innovate the guest experience," he explains.

    Guesty Announces the Acquisition of Hospitality Software Companies Kigo and HiRUM

    By: VRMA Administrator | Oct 4
    Guesty announced its acquisition of Spain-based vacation rental software company Kigo and Australian property management software company HiRUM Software Solutions. "Guesty, Kigo, and HiRUM view consolidation as the path forward in such a dynamic space and fragmented industry," said Guesty CEO Amiad.

    Short Stay Summit Moves to Old Billingsgate for April 2023

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 28
    Next year's Short Stay Summit will be held on April 27 at Old Billingsgate in central London. Its hosts will once again be the European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), the U.K. Short Term Accommodation Association (STAA), and the U.S.-based Vacation Rental Management Association (VRMA).

    Louisville Metro May Explore More Changes to Short-Term Rental Rules

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    Louisville, Kentucky, Metro Council member Markus Winkler wants the city's Planning Commission to revisit the enforcement of regulations on short-term rentals.

    Palm Springs Council to Consider Cap on Number of Short-Term Rental Permits

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    Palm Springs, California, may soon impose a 2,500-unit cap on short-term vacation rental permits if the city council follows recommendations from the Vacation Rental Work Group.

    Chattanooga City Council May Soon Consider Revisions to Short-Term Rentals Ordinance

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    The Chattanooga, Tennessee, City Council may soon consider altering the city's existing rules on short-term rentals that could include caps on density, with the looming expiration of a moratorium on rentals not occupied by owners.

    Hawaii Vacation Rentals Reported an Occupancy Rate of 65 Percent in August

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    The Hawaii Tourism Authority and the state Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism's latest Hawaii Vacation Rental Performance Report found Hawaii vacation rentals were 64.7 percent occupied in August.

    Short-Term Rental Supply Is Outpacing Demand as Listings Soar

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    AirDNA reported that property listings on short-term rental platforms were up 23 percent in August compared to last year while average daily rates' (ADRs) growth slowed, trailing costs caused by inflation.

    Rates and Travel Patterns Normalize in Record Summer for European Short-Term Rentals

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 27
    AirDNA reports that the European short-term rental market witnessed a full recovery from the pandemic in the summer, with 3.5 percent more nights stayed in such accommodations in June, July, and August than in 2019. Demand also topped 2019 levels in August, with revenue up 22 percent from 2019.

    ‘Homerunners’ to Premiere at VRMA International Conference

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 21
    The world premiere of the docuseries ‘Homerunners‘ will be held on October 23 as part of the VRMA International Conference. Hosted by Vacation Rental Marketing Blog Founder Matt Landau, the docuseries takes a behind-the-scenes look at the $78.6 billion vacation rental industry.

    Hospitality Brand PR Strategies for Crisis Management

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 21
    Four public relations (PR) experts explain what hospitality brands should do to in times of crisis.

    Wilmington. NC, Doles Out Nearly $1 Million, Concluding Short-Term Rental Litigation

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 20
    Wilmington, North Carolina's litigation with David and Peggy Schroeder about its short-term rental ordinance has reached a settlement, resulting in nearly $800,000 in payouts.

    Lewes, Delaware, Town Council Schedules Hearing for Short-Term Rental Ordinance

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 20
    The Town Council of Lewes, Delaware, is weighing a plan to formally license short-term rentals by leveling the playing field for owners of both short-term and long-term rentals.

    Fayetteville, Arkansas, Could Remove Permit Requirement for Short-Term Rental Owners

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 20
    The Fayetteville, Arkansas, Planning Commission voted 6-2 to recommend stripping a rule requiring short-term rental owners to get a permit from the commission before they can start operating.

    FIFA World Cup 2022 to Fuel Demand for Short-Term Rentals in Dubai

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 20
    The short-term rental market in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is seeing a windfall from the FIFA World Cup 2022, with demand for such accommodations booming ahead of the event. Dubai is close to Qatar, where the event is being held.

    Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky Says Competitors Have the Travel Marketing Funnel All Wrong

    By: VRMA Administrator | Sep 20
    Airbnb Chair and CEO Brian Chesky thinks online travel competitors have that flight focus at the top of the marketing "funnel" all wrong, and that instead marketing should revolve around the destination.

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