England advances plans for uncapped overnight visitor levy

Reading Time: 2 minutesUK: Regional mayors could receive powers to introduce an uncapped levy on hotel, holiday rental and Airbnb-style stays under legislation expected to be brought before parliament within months.
TravelAI’s Sonder strategy: Urban stays, AI and a $100m target

Reading Time: < 1 minuteWorldwide: In the latest episode of The Short Scoop, STRz editor Priya Khaira speaks to TravelAI co-founder and CEO John Lyotier about the company’s acquisition of the Sonder name, trademarks and domain portfolio, and what comes next for the well-known accommodation brand.
This could be your workday with a team of AI agents

Reading Time: 3 minutes[Sponsored Content]: In this sponsored feature, Guesty explains how AI agents can help property managers reduce manual work and keep operations running around the clock.
HomeToGo revenue rises 72% following Interhome acquisition

Reading Time: 2 minutesGermany: HomeToGo recorded revenue of €160.1 million during the first half of 2026, an increase of 71.8 per cent year on year, following the integration of Interhome.
Airbnb partners with Tripadivsor to scale experiences

Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Airbnb has partnered with Tripadvisor Group in an effort to bring a selection of Tripadvisor experiences to the Airbnb platform later this year.
Homelessness NSW calls for 7.5% levy on short-term rentals

Reading Time: 2 minutesAustralia: Homelessness NSW has called on the New South Wales government to introduce a 7.5 per cent levy on short-term rental bookings, claiming the measure could raise almost AUD$50 million for homelessness services.
Wander acquires Maple team to expand WanderOS platform

Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Vacation rental marketplace and technology provider Wander has acquired the team behind family organisation app Maple as it seeks to expand its direct booking platform for property managers.
TravelAI acquires Sonder brand and relaunches Sonder.com

Reading Time: 2 minutesCanada: Travel technology company TravelAI has acquired Sonder’s trademarks and domain portfolio and relaunched Sonder.com as a discovery and booking platform for boutique hotels and professionally managed urban accommodation.
Pass the Keys expands into Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Forest of Dean

Reading Time: < 1 minuteUK: Holiday rental management franchise Pass the Keys has expanded into Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Forest of Dean with the launch of a new franchise serving property owners across the region.
Kansas City leads World Cup short-term rental revenue growth, says KeyData

Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Kansas City recorded the strongest short-term rental performance of any 2026 FIFA World Cup host city, according to new analysis from KeyData, as operators across North America capitalised on elevated demand through higher pricing.