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TravelTech News

• 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.

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• 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

• Steve Shur Discusses the Importance of Preserving Consumer Protections in Air Travel

  GBTA's The Business of Travel Podcast on March 21, 2018
  
  Travel Tech President Steve Shur joined GBTA’s Mike McCormick on The Business of Travel podcast to discuss DOT regulations and the need to preserve consumer protections in air travel. » Read More

• Short-term rental bill hits all the right notes for Tennessee

  Matt Kiessling, Published by Kingsport Times News on March 29, 2018
  
  Short-term rental platforms like Airbnb, Booking.com, HomeAway, Trip Advisor and VRBO have transformed the travel marketplace for millions of people around the globe. But more importantly, they’ve done the same for thousands of families right here in Tennessee. By providing trav­elers the opportunity to connect with local homeowners through the simple click of a mouse or the swipe of a phone, these innovative platforms have aided in a dramatic increase in the popu­larity of short-term rentals by improving access to convenient, family-friendly and affordable accommodations options. » Read More

• Preserving Consumer Protections in Air Travel

  Steve Shur on March 20, 2018
  
  It’s been widely reported that the federal government, and specifically the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), is undergoing a regulatory review to determine how each agency can ease the burden on industry by eliminating government regulations, thereby fostering economic growth.  Due to the unique nature of DOT’s consumer protection oversight, this effort to remove regulations could have dramatic implications for the flying public. » Read More

• SHUR: Law keeps short-term rentals from going underground

  Steve Shur, Published by Indianapolis Business Journal on March 19, 2018
  
  Thanks to the leadership of Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, and Sen. Mark Messmer, R-Jasper, House Bill 1035 puts Indiana on the map as a national leader when it comes to technology policy that embraces the peer-to-peer economy. » Read More

• Historic Short-Term Rental Bill Passes Indiana Legislature

  Travel Tech on March 6, 2018
  
  Indianapolis, IN -- A bill to protect private property rights and catalyze Indiana’s tourism economy overwhelmingly passed the House today and is on its way to Governor Holcomb’s desk for his signature. » Read More

• Trade groups battle over foreign investment in US airlines

  Diana Stancy Correll, Washington Examiner on February 27, 2018
  
  Foreign carriers may be able to invest more in U.S. airlines in the future thanks to a new piece of legislation that would lift such restrictions. But opponents say security and safety could be at risk. » Read More

• BTC Radio Interview With Travel Tech President Steve Shur

  Kevin Mitchell on February 23, 2018
  
  In this 12-minute episode on BTC Radio, Travel Tech president Steve Shur speaks with Kevin Mitchell about travel distribution, short-term home rental and an initiative to boost tourism to the US. » Read More

• New Poll Finds Overwhelming Support for Short-Term Rentals in South Carolina

  Travel Tech on February 21, 2018
  
  Results from a recent Mason-Dixon Poll found that an overwhelming majority of South Carolinians support the right for homeowners to rent out their home, or a room in their home, through short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO.Results from a recent Mason-Dixon Poll found that an overwhelming majority of South Carolinians support the right for homeowners to rent out their home, or a room in their home, through short-term rental platforms such as Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO. » Read More

• State bill could affect city rules on Airbnb

  Judy Walton, Chattanooga Times Free Press on February 20, 2018
  
  Chattanooga officials and Hamilton County's two state senators are watching a bill in the Tennessee General Assembly that would short-circuit the city's rules regulating short-term rentals such as Airbnb. » Read More