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Indian e-commerce tax set to affect online platforms
Reading Time: 2 minutesIndia: An amended finance bill, passed in parliament on Monday, may increase prices for Indian users of major e-commerce platforms. The bill, which comes into effect on 1 April, adds a two per cent equalisation levy on any foreign companies making digital sales. Notable firms which will be hit include Netflix, Booking.com and Airbnb. The […]
A message from IHM CEO Piers Brown: we’re here to help
Reading Time: 2 minutesIn these unprecedented and challenging times, we wanted to share with you a message from our CEO Piers Brown about our plans and how we intend to support the wider industry through sharing thought leadership, news and commentary, and continuing to offer digital opportunities. In these uncertain times I want to assure you that myself […]
UK government publishes closure guidance for short let operators
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: The UK government has published the following steps and guidance for businesses providing holiday accommodation [including hotels, hostels, B&Bs, campsites, caravan parks, boarding houses and short term lets] to take in terms of closing for commercial use as quickly as is safely possible. According to Gov.uk, full consideration should be given to the possible […]
Booking.com CEO addresses company’s future in employee letter
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: In a letter to his company’s employees, Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel has outlined the company’s coronavirus strategy. The company, which owns leading OTA Booking.com has committed to cutting spending, salaries, and implementing a company-wide hiring freeze. Fogel said: “This is not the first major disruption to travel we have endured as a business, […]
Zeus Living joins growing list of companies to lay off staff
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUS: Furnished apartment provider Zeus Living has joined the growing list of companies in the real estate and travel sectors to lay off a significant portion of its staff. The firm, which provides furnished spaces for business travellers primarily, is laying off around 80 people from its workforce, which represents roughly 30 per cent of […]
STAA waives fees for small corporate and new members for two months
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: The UK Short Term Accommodation Association [STAA] has announced that it is to waive its membership fees for the next two months for some of its existing corporate members and all new members. The chair of the trade body representing the short-term rental sector, Merilee Karr, said: “In these unprecedented times, where the travel […]
Why lodging providers need to pay attention to relative humidity
Reading Time: 3 minutesCanada: Michael Driedger, CEO of Operto Guest Technologies, speaks to ShortTermRentalz about why short-term lodging providers need to pay attention to relative humidity to reduce the amount of viruses being airborne. When I was a kid growing up in the very dry plains of Saskatchewan, Canada, my parents would put a humidifier in my room when I […]
Edinburgh holiday lets return to long-term
Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Due to the strain of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many Edinburgh landlords have returned to long-term lets. The shift is supported by many community groups, who have been bemoaning the growth of short-term lets in the city. Mike Small of pressure group Citizens Network said: “The virus is forcing the short-term let and Airbnb market […]
Sonder cuts workforce by one third
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: San Francisco-based hospitality startup Sonder has announced it has laid off 22 per cent of its workforce and furloughed an additional 11 per cent of its staff as the reality of the coronavirus impact on the travel industry bites hard. According to The Information, those made redundant or furloughed accounts for up to 400 […]