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Japanese lodging startup Earthship closes pre-seed funding round
Reading Time: 2 minutesJapan: Japanese outdoor lodging startup Earthship, which aims to offer immersive experiences in national parks with its cabins, has completed an undisclosed pre-seed funding round.
Airbnb festive ‘Santastrophe’ advert mocks hotels
Reading Time: 2 minutesWorldwide: Airbnb has released its first-ever specialised advert for the festive season, in which it shows a frantic Santa Claus experience a ‘Santastrophe’ navigating a hotel to deliver presents, in comparison with a much smoother experience at a short-term rental Airbnb listing.
Rentals United launches Screen & Protect service
Reading Time: 3 minutesSpain: Vacation rental channel manager Rentals United has launched Screen & Protect, a property protection service that allows hosts to verify guests during the booking process and provides compensation of up to €50,000.
Annual rental cap comes into effect in Byron Bay
Reading Time: 2 minutesAustralia: The Australian coastal town of Byron Bay in New South Wales, as well as the wider region of Byron Shire, have begun the enforcement of 60-day annual caps on unhosted short-term rentals.
7.5 per cent STR levy set to be imposed in Victoria
Reading Time: 3 minutesAustralia: The state executive government of Victoria is set to grant local councils the power to limit short-term rentals by imposing a 7.5 per cent levy on STR bookings from 1 January 2025.
Alloggio buys Relaxaway Holiday Homes in Queenstown
Reading Time: 2 minutesAustralia / New Zealand: New South Wales-based short-term rental property management company Alloggio has announced the acquisition of holiday home agency Relaxaway Holiday Homes, based in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Countries issue UK travel warnings as unrest increases
Reading Time: 3 minutesUK: Seven countries have issued warnings over travel to the UK in the wake of ongoing violent anti-immigration protests and riots.
I-PRAC partners with digital guidebook company Orana Stay
Reading Time: 3 minutesUK / Australia: Global verification and membership platform, I-PRAC, has partnered with digital guidebook solution Orana Stay to maximise benefits for both hosts and guests.
Hometime appoints former Airbnb exec as first COO
Reading Time: 2 minutesAustralia: Sydney-based, short-term rental property management company and online marketplace, Hometime, has appointed Alvan Aiau Yong into the newly created role of chief operations officer [COO].
ASTRA elects three new board members
Reading Time: 3 minutesAustralia / New Zealand: The Australia and New Zealand Short Term Rental Association [ASTRA] announced the election of three leaders onto its board at its annual general meeting last week, joining current and re-elected directors.