With more than 115 million Americans expected to travel over the next few weeks, according to AAA, this holiday season is gearing up to be one of the busiest ones ever.
06.12.2023 - 04:32 / skift.com / Dennis Schaal / Srividya Kalyanaraman
While reporting on the short-term rental saturation story last week, I got into some data-digging to find out which markets saw the largest increase in available listings. I was specifically interested in available bookable listings, rather than listings or occupancy, because the former is a factor in market saturation, which impacts home prices.
But the data from Rabbu, a short-term rental data provider, had me gawking at my screen.
Top Cities for Airbnb Active Listings Growth Year Over Year Through June 2023
This is “wild” (in the words of Skift executive editor Dennis Schaal) because short-term rentals are banned in New York City unless an owner is present during the stay, and capped at 120 days in Los Angeles.
Although as large markets New York and LA added the largest number of active listings, Phoenix added more listings on a percentage basis than New York (48.15% versus 43.9%), and Brooklyn (35.75%) and Myrtle Beach (34.28%) grew listings at a higher percentage growth than LA (32.42%).
Meanwhile, ProPublica published an investigation yesterday looking into violations of Los Angeles’ residential hotel law. It found 21 residential hotels with more than 800 rooms advertising to tourists. As it stands today, the law in Los Angeles allows owners to apply for exemptions from the residential hotel law if they can prove they have not historically operated as long-term housing. It also allows hotel owners to convert their properties to other uses if they either replace the affordable housing or pay into a city housing fund.
The report stated that the LA Housing Department told ProPublica that low staffing made it difficult to enforce the residential hotel law and that sometimes hotels barred their inspectors from coming in without an administrative warrant.
Liverpool Village in Central New York has recently become part of the group of municipalities that have chosen to prohibit or restrict short-term rentals. According to Bill Reagan, the village’s code enforcement officer, it’s worth noting that the village’s zoning code had never allowed Airbnbs, Vrbos, or any other form of temporary rentals. Strangely, this fact went unnoticed to some until now, prompting the village board to pass a local law to explicitly clarify and reinforce the existing ban.
Skift reported in April that Sonder received a notice of potential delisting from Nasdaq because the company failed to satisfy the minimum bid price listing rule as its common stock traded below $1.00 per share for 30 consecutive business days. On Friday, the company filed a proxy asking shareholders to approve a reverse stock split.
This is how it would work, according to a Sonder communication to employees: “If you own 100 shares of common stock where
With more than 115 million Americans expected to travel over the next few weeks, according to AAA, this holiday season is gearing up to be one of the busiest ones ever.
As I sat under the waning sun, eating a traditional Bedouin meal of fire roasted lamb and rice with my fingers and watching the twinkling stars begin to appear in the sky, our host said, “You have to earn visiting AlUla,” and he was not wrong. It’s a place that insists upon admiration of its natural beauty and remarkable history, and with that comes a luxury price tag that is well worth saving for.
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century, Bath originally went by the Latin name of Aquae Sulis after the Celtic deity of healing and water. The setting was chosen for its thermal springs which later saw Bath evolve into a fashionable spa resort. Grand terraces were constructed during the Georgian era using honey-colored limestone from the surrounding downs. Nowadays, Bath remains a stellar destination for romantic getaways, family vacations, spa weekends, and bachelor/bachelorette parties (locally known as stag and hen dos).
Soaring 828 meters over Dubai, the Burj Khalifa has clung to its status as the world’s tallest building for more than a decade. Levels 124 and 125 are dedicated to 360-degree observation decks although the viewpoints from the waterside parks will leave you equally agog. Even better, how about from the balcony or rooftop pool of your accommodation in Downtown Dubai? These dazzling Dubai Airbnbs near the Burj Khalifa are worth shelling out for – especially when they come with a view.
Phuket, Thailand’s largest island, floats off the western coast and is bordered by the Andaman Sea. Comprising alabaster-white beaches, snorkeling in crystalline waters, and a splash of cultural sights, Phuket is a Thailand-in miniature destination with something to offer revelrous backpackers as well as honeymooners, and families. These Airbnbs in Phuket with private pools and million-dollar views give you a preview of the third outing of White Lotus.
One hundred miles east of Los Angeles, Palm Springs is the choice weekend destination of Angelenos. The Sonoran Desert oasis has seen a star-studded population; Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, and most recently the Kardashians have put roots down in Old Las Palmas. Fortunately, Airbnb opens up the hot springs, hiking trails, and golf courses to us B-listers. We’re still waiting for Leo’s villa to hit the platform but until then these Guest Favorite Airbnbs in Palm Springs grant a taste of the superstar lifestyle.
No first trip to Edinburgh would be complete without a visit to Edinburgh Castle. The world-famous icon of Scotland is part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site and is the most popular paid tourist attraction in the country. Dominating the skyline of the city, the fortress looms over the streets below from its position on the Castle Rock. Due to its strategic location, it has been a royal residence, a military stronghold, and a focus of countless sieges and battles. It also offers stunning panoramic views over the city of Edinburgh. Due to the size and walkability of the city center, the best way to explore Scotland’s capital is on foot. That means, if you are looking for a central Airbnb, you’ll be no more than a 30-minute walk from the Royal Mile — the main street leading to the castle gates. The Airbnb near Edinburgh Castle rentals we’ve selected here are steeped in history, have views of the iconic site, Superhost status, and five-star reviews from past guests.
Paris is the global capital of romance but the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games bring yet another reason to summer in the City of Lights. The Games is that rare sporting event that works its magic on all kinds of travelers and adds a unique twist to a vacation. In addition to the Olympic Village in the suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, major landmarks including the Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Place de la Concorde will be transformed into venues. Pencil in a date night at one of these romantic Airbnbs close to the Paris Olympic sites.
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Granada is presided over by the Alhambra and those snow-capped ranges. Despite the stronghold summoning travelers by the droves, the Andalusian city slips under the radar and offers a rich cultural experience minus the crowds of Spain’s largest cities.
Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates capital, is scattered across a sequence of islands. Beyond the mega malls and golden beaches, the chief emirate will keep you busy with kayaking in the mangroves, ogling art at the Louvre, and marveling at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. In between sights, you can sip 24-carat gold cappuccinos and collect trinkets in souks. The slower pace makes Abu Dhabi a choice destination for families, honeymooners, and remote workers. Make a date to stay at one of these deluxe Airbnbs in Abu Dhabi’s coolest neighborhoods.
Europe, especially Germany, is rightly famed for its Christmas markets that bring a fairy tale sense of wonder to the season. But you don’t have to journey abroad for holiday magic—these fairs in the United States showcase European-style festivities while celebrating their cities’ cultural heritage.
What do you do when you’re a short-term rental operator during peak travel season in a busy market with regulatory restrictions?