Jun 14, 2024 • 9 min read
27.05.2024 - 11:15 / forbes.com / Josh Green / Richard Bissen
Hawaiʻi Governor Josh Green signed a bill earlier this month that gives individual counties across the Hawaiian Islands the lawful ability to convert short-term vacation rentals into long-term housing.
The decision came as Hawaiian officials look to combat the on-going affordable housing crisis throughout the islands, which has been thrust into the spotlight in the aftermath of the Lāhainā wildfires in August of last year.
The impact on the availability and price of vacation rentals could be quite significant if counties decide to reduce them, either by holding back on permitting or forcing them to be converted into long-term housing arrangements.
We’ve already seen that big changes are coming on Maui. In early May, Mayor Richard Bissen announced that he wants to phase out 7,000 vacation rentals by next summer.
Now, other areas in the islands could be next as local communities struggle with the lack of affordable housing. If so, we can expect to see a large reduction in the number of vacation rental units available, and thus, it would stand to reason, an increase in the nightly rates.
The nightly rates at hotels could also be impacted, depending upon how significant the reduction of vacation units turns out to be.
The Governor said he believes that this action will change Hawaiʻi for the better, providing more housing for local residents. Local news has reported that many people are fleeing the islands due to the lack of affordable housing.
Opponents of the decision feel its an overstep of government and will negatively impact many homeowners. But local officials are not convinced.
“Consistently, the argument [from opponents is] about protecting their investment properties,” said Maui County Councilmember Keani Rawlins-Fernandez. “Their second, third, fourth, fifth home — when our residents have lost their only home.” The Councilmember was referring to residents who lost their home in the August fires.
While the transition on Maui has already kicked off, similar showdowns are expected on other islands as soon as this year, with potential impacts for tourism industry. How drastic the impacts will be remains to be seen.
Jun 14, 2024 • 9 min read
Jun 13, 2024 • 13 min read
Earlier this month, audio powerhouse Sonos debuted its very first pair of headphones. The $449 Sonos Ace connects to your device via Bluetooth 5.4 and offers 30 hours of battery power so it can last from takeoff to landing on even the world’s longest flights. If you forget to charge them before takeoff, the headphones can also regain three hours of battery life with just three minutes of charging, so you can be up and running before wheels up.
From mid-term rentals to the regulatory environment and artificial intelligence, executives speaking at the recent Skift Short-Term Rental Summit in New York addressed a myriad of topics pertaining to the rapidly booming sector.
Instead of booking a standard hotel room on a recent trip to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, I decided to spend a night in the steamboat-themed Fulton Steamboat Inn.
We don't always recommend booking trips through a travel portal, but doing so can come with some benefits.
Good morning from Skift. It’s Friday, June 7, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about the business of travel today.
This article was a dapted for digital from Hawai'i, The Big Island, due to publish in August 2024. Written by Ashley Harrell, Jade Bremner and Megan Minor Murray.
Short-term rentals in cities and suburban areas are struggling with their occupancy rates. At Skift’s Short-Term Rental Summit, AirDNA Chief Economist Jamie Lane said the “mass exodus” of people from certain places is redefining where guests stay.
Nonstop flights are better than connecting ones — obviously. A trip with a layover adds travel time that would be better spent at a destination and opportunities for things to go wrong, from delays to cancellations.
Oyo is expanding the footprint of its premium vacation home rental brand, Belvilla: On Tuesday, it announced the launch of Belvilla by Oyo in the UK.
Normandy Tourism, with the support of the Normandy Region, is proud to announce the launch of the “Explore Normandy Pass,” dedicated this year to Remembrance Tourism to mark the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. This innovative digital solution offers an enriched exploration of the cultural and historical wealth of Normandy. Michael Dodds, Director of the Normandy Regional Tourist Board, emphasizes the importance of these remembrance sites: “These places of remembrance, which welcome visitors throughout the year, are still the best way to understand the historic events that shaped our present. This Web App is part of our desire to contribute to remembrance and transmission. We hope that these visits will be an opportunity to celebrate, reflect and remember, as well as a special moment that visitors can share with their families and the younger generation.”