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TravelTech News

• Travel Tech Statement: Congress, White House Should Work Together to Reopen Government

  Travel Tech on January 25, 2019
  
  Travel Tech released the following statement in response to the ongoing federal government shutdown and its growing impact on the online travel industry. » Read More

• Travel Tech Statement: New Orleans Short-term Rental Proposal is Untenable Policy

  Travel Tech on January 11, 2019
  
  Travel Tech released the following statement ahead of the New Orleans' City Council's consideration of a proposal to ban short-term rentals in the city. » Read More

• Travel Tech Statement: Travel Tech Applauds NYC Short-term Rental Injunction Ruling

  Travel Tech on January 3, 2019
  
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• Travel Tech Statement: MA Short-term Rental Bill Riddled with Problems, Doesn't Serve People of the Commonwealth

  Travel Tech on December 26, 2018
  
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• Travel Tech Statement: Las Vegas Short-Term Rental Ordinance Will Curb Local Economic Opportunity

  Travel Tech on December 7, 2018
  
  Travel Tech released the following statement after the Las Vegas City Council voted to restrict short-term rentals.  » Read More

• Travel Industry Empowers Small Biz with Tech and Opportunities for Growth, Prosperity

  Travel Tech on November 16, 2018
  
  For this Small Business Saturday, the Travel Technology Association is telling the story of how the online travel industry works for small businesses, empowering them with technology and opportunities for growth and prosperity. » Read More

• Travel Tech Statement on DC City Council Decision on Short-term Rental

  Travel Tech on November 14, 2018
  
  The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the trade association for the online travel industry, including short-term rental innovators Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO, is deeply disappointed by the District of Columbia City Council's decision to limit the short-term rental market and impose undue enforcement obligations on short-term rental platforms. » Read More

• Travel Tech Signs Onto Letter Urging Compromise on Short-term Rental Policy in DC

  Travel Tech on October 1, 2018
  
  Travel Tech joins the Consumer Technology Association, the Internet Association and NetChoice on a letter urging changes to B22-0092. » Read More

• Travel Tech Statement on FAA Reauthorization Agreement

  Travel Tech on September 25, 2018
  
  Steve Shur, President of the Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), issued the following statement today upon the final agreement on a five-year Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization package. » Read More

• New Travel Tech Study: Alternative Accommodations Critical to Oahu Economy

  Travel Tech on July 24, 2018
  
  

  A new study released today, commissioned by The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech) and conducted by local economic consulting firm Kloninger & Sims, finds that severe restrictions on Oahu’s alternative accommodations  would have a devastating impact to the local economy. The study is in conjunction with both Expedia and Airbnb.

  » Read More

• Travel Tech Condemns New York City Council Decision to Force STR Platforms to Turnover Hosts’ Personal Data

  Travel Tech on July 19, 2018
  
  The Travel Technology Association (Travel Tech), the trade association for the online travel industry, including short-term rental innovators Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO, released the following statement after the New York City Council voted to pass a bill that would force short-term rental (STR) platforms to turn over the names, addresses, and banking information of its hosts and owners to city government. » Read More

• San Diego City Council Should Embrace Pass Mayor's Short-Term Rental Compromise

  Travel Tech on July 16, 2018
  
  

  On Friday, Travel Tech's Vice President for Short-Term Rental Policy, Matt Kiessling, sent a letter to Mayor Kevin Faulconer and the San Diego City Council voicing the Association's support for the Mayor's reasoned compromise on a proposed short-term rental ordinance.

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• Statement: Senate Bill Mandating New Requirements on Ticket Agents is Unnecessary and Would Do Little to Help Consumers

  Travel Tech on July 10, 2018
  
  Transparency in the travel marketplace is crucial.  However, without airline cooperation in the implementation of travel agency customer service standards – which is not mandated by the bill – agents cannot fulfill requirements, such as providing prompt refunds, 24-hour holds or opportunities to cancel without penalty. 
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• Historic Short-Term Rental Bill Signed Into Law by Governor Haslam

  Travel Tech on May 17, 2018
  
  

  A bill to protect private property rights and catalyze Tennessee’s tourism economy was signed into law today by Governor Bill Haslam.

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• Testimony of Steve Shur to House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Taxes, and Capital Access

  Travel Tech on May 11, 2018
  
  On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Travel Tech President Steve Shur testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, at a hearing entitled Travel and Tourism: A Small Business Angle. Shur discussed the valuable role Travel Tech member companies play in benefiting small businesses and bringing more visitors to local communities.  » Read More

• Travel Tech President Steve Shur to Testify Before House Small Business Subcommittee

  Travel Tech on May 7, 2018
  
  On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Travel Tech President Steve Shur will testify before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, at a hearing to examine the positive impact of travel and tourism on small businesses. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 11:00am Eastern Time in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building. » Read More

• Iowa Legislature Proposing New Vacation Tax on Iowans

  Travel Tech on May 3, 2018
  
  The omnibus tax deal currently being negotiated behind closed doors by Iowa legislators on HF 2489 and SF 2417 raises taxes on Iowan's summer vacations. The proposal includes an onerous provision that would impose new taxes on travel agent service fees, both online and in Iowa. » Read More

• Requiring ‘lodging facilitators’ to collect state sales tax on rentals

  BY O. KAY HENDERSON, RADIO IOWA on April 17, 2018
  
  Much of the tax policy debate at the statehouse has focused on tax cuts, but there are tax increases under consideration — including a tax increase in the travel industry that’s included in Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposal. Christopher Rants, a lobbyist who represents an online travel association known as Travel Tech, brought the issue up with lawmakers during a hearing late last week. » Read More

• Tri-Cities Homeowners to Earn $75,000 During Food City 500

  Travel Tech on April 13, 2018
  
  With the massive influx of race fans for NASCAR's Food City 500 this weekend, and limited hotel options in the area, short-term rentals are meeting the needs of visitors and providing significant economic benefits to the Tri-Cities region. » Read More

• Travel Tech Applauds Congress for Directing USDOT to Work with Stakeholders to Develop Guidelines for Greater Price Transparency in Consumer Air Travel

  Travel Tech on March 23, 2018
  
  Travel Tech President Steve Shur issued the following statement today applauding Congress for including language in the fiscal 2018 omnibus spending package that directs the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to work with travel industry leaders, consumers, and stakeholders, to establish guidelines that provide more price transparency in air travel: » Read More