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Vrbo and TripAdvisor update traveller safety policies
Reading Time: 2 minutesWorldwide: Short-term rental platforms, including Vrbo [an Expedia Group brand] and TripAdvisor, are tightening their safety policies for travellers in the wake of allegations of violent crimes taking place at Airbnb listings. The former has made the decision to ban hosts from leaving keys in public places “where the owner, property manager or staff is […]
Airbnb and Vrbo partner to tackle party houses
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUS: Airbnb has teamed up with Expedia Group’s Vrbo to take care of “disruptive party houses” by developing the Community Integrity Program. In an industry collaboration, Airbnb and Vrbo will develop the Community Integrity Program. Working alongside a third-party intermediary, the two companies will build a process that “identifies properties that have been permanently removed from […]
Expedia Group Media Solutions releases Q1 Trends Report
Reading Time: 3 minutesUS: Expedia Group Media Solutions, the global digital advertising organisation of Expedia Group, has released its first-ever quarterly trend report. The Q1 2021 Travel Recovery Trend Report features data from custom research and Expedia Group first party data combined with actionable insights to help ensure travel brands are best prepared to reconnect and re-engage with travellers as […]
Vrbo confirmed as 2021 Shortyz Awards headline sponsor
Reading Time: 2 minutesWorldwide: ShortTermRentalz is delighted to confirm Vrbo as headline sponsor for the 2021 Shortyz Awards, which will take place virtually on Thursday 22 April 2021 at 5pm BST. The final shortlists for the 2021 Awards were announced last week following a period of judging, and the voting period concluded at 23:59 BST on Monday 29 March. […]
Vrbo launches Fast Start program for new hosts
Reading Time: 3 minutesUS: Expedia Group vacation rental brand Vrbo has announced the launch of Fast Start, a new program that increases the visibility of new properties in the first 90 days and displays a review score based on reviews from other travel sites. The launch of the host recruitment program comes in response to what the company […]
Vrbo proves Expedia bright spot despite revenue declines
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Seattle-based online travel agency Expedia has reported declines in revenue of 57 per cent [to $5.2 billion] and in gross bookings [to $36.7 billion] in its fourth quarter earnings report. It was the fourth consecutive quarter that Expedia had posted a loss, following three successive profitable quarters prior to the coronavirus outbreak. Peter Kern, […]
Vrbo to maintain DC reservations despite backlash
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Expedia Group-owned vacation rental platform Vrbo is planning to maintain reservations in Washington DC over Inauguration Week this week, despite Airbnb’s stance to block and cancel bookings, as well as a fierce backlash from online users. Last week, Airbnb and HotelTonight confirmed they would be blocking and cancelling all reservations in the DC Metro […]
Vrbo exits Toronto rental market following new crackdown
Reading Time: < 1 minuteCanada: Vacation rental marketplace Vrbo has announced that it is exiting the Toronto market due to the city’s recent crackdown on short-term rentals. The online travel agency listed more than 300 houses, condos, apartments and studios in the city prior to the enforcement of stricter rules on short-term rentals, which came into force on 1 January. […]
Santa Fe passes new short-term rental restrictions
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUS: The city of Santa Fe, in New Mexico, has approved new restrictions for short-term rental owners in an effort to reduce the number of properties operating without permits. The Santa Fe Council voted 8-1 on Thursday to limit the number of short-term rental units to one per person and to restricts owners using services […]
Expedia claims “better than expected” Q3, driven by Vrbo
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: Travel firm Expedia Group has announced its 2020 Q3 results, which it has claimed are better than expected, but still down over 50 per cent from 2019. Its short-term rentals arm Vrbo, however, has outperformed much of the market, as it saw growth in both total bookings and total revenue from 2019. CEO Peter […]