The vacation rental industry claims over two million properties throughout the United States. According to the Miliken Institute, California had 128,000 short-term vacation rental listings in 2022. The Big Bear region in...more
Guests of Lake of the Ozarks lodging establishments ranging from vacation rentals to resorts will have one less tax to pay thanks to a recent decision by the Missouri Supreme Court. The court found that statutes creating a...more
In many states, the tide appears to be turning against short-term rentals. With restrictions on short-term rentals, such as Airbnb and Vrbo, on the rise, businesses operating short-term rental properties are running out of...more
As you can see from our short list of stories below, it was a relatively quiet week in the online travel world. I hope you enjoy...more
The initial phase of New York City Local Law 18, also known as the Short-Term Rental Registration Law, went into effect in New York City on Tuesday, September 5th, 2023. Enforcement of Local Law 18 is expected to...more
After several slow weeks in the industry, this past week featured a number of important updates, including earnings releases and calls from Booking Holdings and Expedia Group. Transcripts from the two companies’ earnings...more
New York Local Law 18, the so-called “Anti-Airbnb Law,” was enacted by the New York City Counsel on January 9, 2023. The new law – which took effect March 6, 2023 – is aimed at reducing undesirable short-term rentals in the...more
Local Law 18 was adopted on January 9, 2022, to address the growing issue of illegal short-term rentals in New York City. New regulations implementing Local Law 18 recently were announced by the Mayor’s Office of Special...more
New York City recently adopted Local Law 18, also known as the “Short-Term Rental Registration Law,” which requires owners and/or renters (hosts) who want to rent out their residential units for less than 30 days to register...more
Our first weekly Online Travel Update for 2023 is below. With many still celebrating the recent holidays, last week remained rather quiet in the online travel world. Enjoy....more
Growth of Short-Term Rental Industry. Since 1995, the short-term rental industry has grown enormously with the launching of short-term rental companies such as Vrbo in 1995, Airbnb in 2008, and HomeToGo in 2014....more
As short-term rentals continue to remain a popular option for travelers and a profitable investment opportunity for residential property owners, municipalities continue to impose restrictions on this properties. These...more
If a Michigan property owner rents part of his or her home, can the property owner still claim 100% principal residence tax exemption (PRE) on the home? Yes, declared the Michigan Court of Appeals in Keith W. DeForge v...more
Our first Update of 2022 includes a number of stories on the evolving marketing tactics of both hotels and their distribution partners. Enjoy....more
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has caused many individuals to reevaluate vacation destinations and where they choose to work. Why work in snowy Chicago during the winter months when you can perform the same work remotely in a...more
This week’s Update features details on two recently filed lawsuits — one by American Airlines against Sabre and the other against Southwest Airlines by airfare discounter, Skiplagged. Enjoy....more
This week’s Update features a number of important stories, including details of Tripadvisor’s official launch of Tripadvisor Plus in the United States and an important update on the 1-800 Contacts FTC enforcement action....more
For readers who have been following our Online Travel Updates since its inception, we thank you for your continued support. In this year of 2021, June will mark our six-year anniversary of publishing these weekly updates...more
As previously discussed in the May 6, 2019 Obermayer blog, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in Slice of Life, LLC et al. vs. Hamilton Township Zoning Hearing Board, et al. decided unanimously that short-term rentals are...more
Short-term rentals have become increasingly popular with Hampton Roads visitors and a big source of income for local property owners. Many guests in the Hampton Roads area are finding accommodations on websites like...more
In response to the Coronavirus outbreak, many New York City residents have sought refuge from the epicenter of the disease by travelling to the East End of Long Island....more
In the not-so-distant past, if you wanted to get from one place to another without a car of your own, you would call a taxi, with your only choice being which of the many taxicab companies to call upon. Now, of course,...more
Earlier this month, a challenge to the Town of Shelter Island (“Shelter Island”) short term rental law ordinance enacted in April 2017, amended May 2019 (“STRL”), came to an end – for now. ...more
As summer ends and the cooler weather of fall arrives, Tripp Freeley yearned for the days of sun, sand and surf. So Tripp began planning his family’s vacation for next summer. A hotel would not work for Tripp, his wife and...more
It is a new world in local government land use… following the recent state legislation allowing registries to be established, localities are wise to adopt regulations on Airbnb and VRBO and similar short stay uses....more