Latest news with #vacationrentals
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Hawaii becomes latest tourist spot to tackle effect of holiday rentals
Lawmakers on Maui passed legislation on Thursday aimed at eliminating a large percentage of the Hawaiian island's vacation rentals to address a housing shortage exacerbated by the wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina two years ago. It's the latest action by a top global tourist destination to push back against the infiltration of vacationers into residential neighborhoods and tourism overwhelming their communities. In May, Spain ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 holiday listings on its platform for having violated rules. Last month, thousands of protesters in European cities like Barcelona and Venice, Italy, marched against the ills of overtourism. The Maui County Council's housing committee voted 6-3 to pass the bill, which would close a loophole that has allowed owners of condos in apartment zones to rent their units for days or weeks at a time instead of a minimum of 180 days. The mandate would take effect in the West Maui district that includes Lahaina in 2028. The rest of the county would have until 2030 to comply. The council still needs to vote on the bill, but the committee's result is a strong indication of the final outcome because all nine council members sit on the housing panel. The mayor is expected to sign the bill, which he proposed. "Bill 9 is a critical first step in restoring our commitment to prioritize housing for local residents — and securing a future where our keiki can live, grow, and thrive in the place they call home,' Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement, using the Hawaiian word for children. Vacation rentals currently account for 21% of all housing in the county, which has a population of about 165,000 people. An analysis by University of Hawaii economists predicted the measure would add 6,127 units to Maui's long-term housing stock, increasing supply by 13%. Opponents questioned whether local residents could afford the condos in question, noting that many of the buildings they are in are aging and their units come with high mortgages, insurance payments, maintenance and special assessment costs. Alicia Humiston said her condo is in a hotel zone so it won't be affected. But she predicted the measure will will hurt housekeepers, plumbers, electricians and other small business owners who help maintain vacation rentals. 'It's not what's best for the the community,' said Humiston, who is president of the Rentals by Owner Awareness Association. Bissen proposed the legislation last year after wildfire survivors and activists camped out on a beach popular with tourists to demand change. The University of Hawaii study said because only about 600 new housing units are built in the county each year, converting the vacation rentals would be equivalent to a decade's worth of new housing development. Condo prices would drop 20-40%, the study estimated. The report also predicted one-quarter of Maui County's visitor accommodations would disappear and visitor spending would sink 15%. It estimated gross domestic product would contract by 4%. The mayor said such economic analysis failed to tell a full story, noting families are torn apart when high housing costs drive out relatives and that cultural knowledge disappears when generations leave Maui. The mayor told the council the bill was one part of a broader housing strategy that would include building new housing, investing in infrastructure and stopping illegally operated vacation rentals. He said there were limits to how much new housing could be built because of constraints on water supplies and sewer infrastructure. Tourism would continue on Maui but must do so in a way 'that doesn't hollow out our neighborhoods,' the mayor said. The mayor's staff told council members that visitor spending would decline with the measure but most of the drop would be on lodging. Because 94% of those who own vacation rentals in apartment zones don't live on Maui, they said much of this income already flows off-island. They predicted the county budget could withstand an estimated $61 million decline in annual tax revenue resulting from the measure.
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
New Maui legislation passes, aims to boost housing supply after destructive Lahaina wildfire
Lawmakers on Maui passed legislation Thursday aimed at eliminating a large percentage of the Hawaiian island's vacation rentals to address a housing shortage exacerbated by the wildfire that destroyed most of Lahaina two years ago. It's the latest action by a top global tourist destination to push back against the infiltration of vacationers into residential neighborhoods and tourism overwhelming their communities. In May, Spain ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 holiday listings on its platform for having violated rules. Last month, thousands of protesters in European cities like Barcelona and Venice, Italy, marched against the ills of overtourism. The Maui County Council's housing committee voted 6-3 to pass the bill, which would close a loophole that has allowed owners of condos in apartment zones to rent their units for days or weeks at a time instead of a minimum of 180 days. The mandate would take effect in the West Maui district that includes Lahaina in 2028. The rest of the county would have until 2030 to comply. The council still needs to vote on the bill, but the committee's result is a strong indication of the final outcome because all nine council members sit on the housing panel. The mayor is expected to sign the bill, which he proposed. 'Bill 9 is a critical first step in restoring our commitment to prioritize housing for local residents — and securing a future where our keiki can live, grow, and thrive in the place they call home,' Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement, using the Hawaiian word for children. Vacation rentals take up one-fifth of Maui's housing Vacation rentals currently account for 21% of all housing in the county, which has a population of about 165,000 people. An analysis by University of Hawaii economists predicted the measure would add 6,127 units to Maui's long-term housing stock, increasing supply by 13%. Opponents questioned whether local residents could afford the condos in question, noting that many of the buildings they are in are aging and their units come with high mortgages, insurance payments, maintenance and special assessment costs. Alicia Humiston said her condo is in a hotel zone so it won't be affected. But she predicted the measure will hurt housekeepers, plumbers, electricians and other small business owners who help maintain vacation rentals. 'It's not what's best for the the community,' said Humiston, who is president of the Rentals by Owner Awareness Association. Bissen proposed the legislation last year after wildfire survivors and activists camped out on a beach popular with tourists to demand change. Mayor says tourism will continue but must not 'hollow out our neighborhoods' The University of Hawaii study said only about 600 new housing units are built in the county each year so converting the vacation rentals would be equivalent to a decade's worth of new housing development. Condo prices would drop 20-40%, the study estimated. The report also predicted one-quarter of Maui County's visitor accommodations would vanish and visitor spending would sink 15%. It estimated gross domestic product would contract by 4%. The mayor said such economic analysis failed to tell a full story, noting families are torn apart when high housing costs drive out relatives and that cultural knowledge disappears when generations leave Maui. The mayor told the council the bill was one part of a broader housing strategy that would include building new housing, investing in infrastructure and stopping illegally operated vacation rentals. He said there were limits to how much new housing could be built because of constraints on water supplies and sewer infrastructure. Tourism would continue on Maui but must do so in a way 'that doesn't hollow out our neighborhoods,' the mayor said. The mayor's staff told council members that visitor spending would decline with the measure but most of the drop would be on lodging. Because 94% of those who own vacation rentals in apartment zones don't live on Maui, they said much of this income already flows off-island. They predicted the county budget could withstand an estimated $61 million decline in annual tax revenue resulting from the measure. —Audrey McAvoy, Associated Press The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is tonight, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.
Condé Nast Traveler
22-07-2025
- Condé Nast Traveler
11 Best Villas in Punta Cana for Destination Weddings, Group Trips, & Family Travel
Punta Cana's popularity continues to increase every year, and the busy Dominican Republic resort town is home to plenty of all-inclusive hotels lined across the coastline. But, for those who don't want to share their Caribbean oasis with hordes of other tourists, staying at a private villa in Punta Cana means bypassing the often packed and predictable resort experience for a more tranquil stay. Customizable vacation rentals allow you to kick off your sandals, sprawl out in privacy, and truly relish your wonderful surroundings. As a frequenter of this spectacular city, I've sorted through a seemingly endless sprawl of Airbnb and Plum Guide listings to bring you the best available. From cozy bungalows nestled on the sand to extravagant fortresses tucked amidst the jungle, these villas allow you to escape the Cap Cana crowds while keeping Punta Cana's natural beauty at your fingertips. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly option with a private pool or a romantic getaway with ocean views, these are the best villas in Punta Cana for all occasions. We've vetted these listings based on Superhost or Guest Favorite status, ratings, amenities, location, previous guest reviews, and decor.
Skift
22-07-2025
- Business
- Skift
State of Travel 2025: Our 7 Favorite Charts
The future of travel is unfolding now; you just need the right data and insights to see it. Here are our favorite insights from the State of Travel 2025 report. Skift Research is back this summer with its annual State of Travel 2025 report! We present more than 300 charts and insights from every corner from the travel industry: Airlines, hotels, short-term rentals, online travels, experiences, cruises, and car rentals. It's a lot, and you should review them all. But we asked Skift Research analysts to pick their favorite charts – together they represent the most important stories in travel right now. 1: Social Media Bookings Social commerce is a booming opportunity in travel, with Skift Research estimating that social commerce bookings for hotels, airlines, and short-term rentals could be worth a huge $7 billion. Robin Gilbert-Jones in his report Social Commerce in Travel: Opportunities and Consumer Trends writes: 'Social media is no longer just inspiring travel, it's where trips are being researched, priced, and booked. As platforms evolve into powerful sales channels, creators are becoming the new travel agents, short-form video is replacing static ads, and the booking journey is evolving into a low-friction social interaction.' 2: Vacation Rentals – Airbnb's Dominance Our analysis of the vacation rental market shows that Airbnb continues to be the dominant player, with 44% of the global market as of 2024. This analysis is based off our deeper market sizing efforts across hotels and short-term rentals in our report, Global Accommodation Sector Market Estimates 2025. Author Saniya Zanpure writes: 'The global accommodation market, valued at $1.2 trillion in 2024, is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2026. Driven by increasing travel demand, the Asia-Pacific region is forecasted to overtake Europe in accommodation revenues by 2026. Despite ongoing geopolitical and regulatory challenges, we anticipate continued moderate growth for the accommodation sector.' 3: The Problem With 'Loyalty' This chart is from our survey based report, European Travel Insights: Unveiling the Top Trends for 2025. Author Varsha Arora writes: 'Our analysis of Loyalty Stickiness, a measure of how consistently travelers engage with brands despite price fluctuations, reveals that many frequent travelers remain flexible, switching brands based on pricing and convenience. These insights provide actionable recommendations for brands to refine their loyalty strategies, focusing on more personalized, flexible, and experience-based rewards to enhance retention and reduce loyalty leakage.' 4: Where Airlines Find High Margins The chart above shows that travelers exhibit stronger loyalty to airlines than they do to hotels. Airlines generally having robust frequent flyer programs that offer valuable incentives, such as free flights, priority boarding, and lounge access. In our recent report, Airline Loyalty: The Financial Powerhouse at the Center of Airline Strategy, author Ashab Rizvi writes: 'Airline loyalty programs have become significant financial powerhouses, with some experts arguing that the value of an airline's loyalty program can even surpass that of the airline itself. This is partly because loyalty programs often demonstrate better growth and higher profit margins compared to the core airline business, while also generating steady cash flows.' Our analysis below shows the high margins of loyalty programs at airlines such as Qantas and IAG. 5: Global Hotel Performance Is Softening The Skift Travel Health Index yields a monthly score that tells us how healthy the global travel industry is. It tracks overall performance across 22 countries and 4 key sectors: airlines, hotels, vacation rentals, and car rentals. It goes beyond tracking simple demand, considering various KPIs, consumer intent, upcoming booking trends, and supply analysis. From our May 2025 Highlights, we can see that though global hotel performance grew mid- to high-single digits in 2024, year-on-year growth has softened into 2025, with May 2025 reporting a slight 2% decline versus May 2024. 6: AI Visibility For Travel Is Surging In our report, AI, Google, and the Shift from Keywords to Context in Travel, Seth Borko notes a dramatic increase in travel's AI visibility (i.e. the frequency with which consumers encounter AI when searching for travel) on Google. In November 2024, less than 3% of flight-related keywords returned an AI Overview. Over the the six months through April 2025, that visibility nearly tripled. Now nearly 9% of flight keywords triggered an AI Overview. Hotels seem to have a lower visibility baseline, but there has still been a similar exponential increase in the frequency of AI Overviews on Google, going from less than 1% of hotel search keywords six months ago to nearly 3% today. He writes: 'While AI Overviews offer faster, more contextual responses, they don't necessarily democratize access for travel companies. Instead, these summaries often favor a handful of major players, reinforcing a winner-takes-all model. And even those that feature prominently may see reduced traffic due to the rise of 'zero-click' behavior, where users read summarized content without clicking links to the original sites. 'For travel marketers, this signals the need for a fundamental change in approach. Long-standing reliance on search engine optimization and marketing strategies are being transformed. Even Google itself is at risk of falling revenue from paid advertising. As traveler behavior shifts toward AI platforms, travel businesses will need to adopt new digital strategies, adjust their content formats, and revise their marketing methods.' 7: New Competition From Banks The entrance of banks and credit card companies into travel has been a key topic in online travel in recent years. With financial institutions launching their own dedicated booking platforms, there has been a disruption of the online distribution landscape with banks now competing directly with online travel agencies and gaining market share. We cover this topic in depth in our report, The Rise of Credit Card Companies in Online Travel. Pranavi Agarwal writes: 'In 2022, at a JPMorgan Chase investor day, executives said, 'We saw an opportunity during the pandemic to own our own destiny in travel.' In a broken and dull travel loyalty ecosystem, new entrants such as banks and credit card companies are rapidly disrupting the distribution landscape: shifting from facilitating other brands' loyalty programs to launching their own competing booking platforms.' Read and download the full State of Travel 2025 report – for free! – for 300+ charts and insights on nearly every corner of the travel industry. What You'll Learn From This Report: 300+ insights defining the state of travel in 2024 Proprietary and third-party data highlighting travel industry performance Consumer insights, sector deep dives, and executive perspectives Regional overviews of travel and tourism performance, based on proprietary Skift Research surveys and data Data-driven insights on the current state of all travel sectors: airlines, hotels, short-term rentals, online travel, traditional travel agents, multi-day tour operators, tours and activities, cruise, and car rental Insights into the economic climate as well as major travel trends including the impact of AI, experiential travel, business travel, luxury travel, and sustainability
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Yahoo
Tourists are leaving guns in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, police report
GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) — Tourists this season have forgotten more than just their toothbrushes and chargers as they pack up to head home. Bodies of Mobile woman, granddaughter found after Texas floods The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Police Departments have recovered nearly 70 firearms from vacation rentals. According to a Facebook post from the GSPD, the department has been called 39 times since March 1, 2025, in regard to forgotten firearms. 'This discussion isn't about gun rights or the Constitution. It's about RESPONSIBILITY—preventing avoidable tragedies,' the post read. 'As you pack up to head home, please remember the beach motto: LEAVE ONLY FOOTPRINTS!' Immigration enforcement operation leads to arrests at Robertsdale restaurant The OBPD reported they have recovered a total of 28 firearms from vacation rentals as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
