Edition No. 77
September 23, 2026
Everything the short-term-rental business needs to know today.
Platforms
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Platforms
Vrbo Sued Over Fatal Dominican Republic Fire as Safety Shield Cracks
A devastating wrongful death lawsuit over a Caribbean rental fire that killed four family members threatens to dismantle the legal shields of the shor
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Platforms
The Great Search Squeeze: Vrbo and Airbnb Push Pay-to-Play Just as AI Threatens to Bypass OTAs
As Vrbo launches sponsored listings and Airbnb eyes a billion-dollar ad business, emerging AI agents like Instinct are preparing to ignore paid rankin
Also filed
- Platforms
Uber plans expansion into hotel and short-term rental bookings
Uber is preparing to expand its platform to include hotel and short-term rental bookings. Speaking at the Skift Global Forum, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi explained that the company wants to serve travelers beyond ridesharing. Khosrowshahi characterized the expansion as a break-even bet to capture broader travel demand, adding that flights could also be a future possibility.
- Design
Nhow Hotels launches certified gaming and esports rooms across Europe
Minor Hotels' nhow brand has unveiled a certified gaming and esports ecosystem across eight of its European properties. The new concept, called GAME:NXT by nhow, features dedicated Gaming Rooms, specialized Studios, and portable Gaming Suitcases for guests. The brand plans to expand the gaming amenities further in 2027.
- Markets
Former Vacasa and Wyndham executives launch First Chair Destinations
A group of former executives from vacation rental management giant Vacasa and hospitality brand Wyndham have launched a new venture called First Chair Destinations. The newly established company will focus on providing professionally managed vacation rentals specifically in ski markets across the United States.
- World
Safety outranks cost for North American travelers, MMGY survey finds
A 2026 survey of 2,518 North American travelers by MMGY reveals that safety has surpassed cost as the primary barrier to international travel. The study shows diverging financial trends between neighboring countries: projected international travel spend for United States travelers dropped to $11,808, while Canadian travel spend rose to $8,800.
- Markets
Airbnb launches Farm to Stay grant program for agricultural tourism
Airbnb has announced its new Farm to Stay grant program, which aims to promote and support farmer-led tourism. According to the company, the initiative is designed to help farmers diversify their income streams by hosting travelers on their properties. The program highlights the growing interest in agritourism and rural travel experiences globally.
- The Money
Stasher secures three million pounds to expand luggage storage network
Luggage storage platform Stasher has raised £3 million in new funding to grow its network of more than 10,000 locations. According to the company, the capital will also accelerate the rollout of smart lockers across the United Kingdom and Europe. The platform connects short-term rental guests and other travelers with local businesses and secure spots to store their bags.
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