STR News.

Thailand is reinstating a foreign tourist fee of THB 450 ($14), targeting collection by Q1 2027. This policy, previously delayed and revised, aims to cover inflation and rising insurance costs.

Viator's updated supplier agreement grants channel partners like Airbnb the authority to set retail pricing for experiences. This shift formalizes pricing control, potentially enabling partners to use tours for discounting or as loss leaders, and includes changes to insurance and fee transparency.

Galveston, TX offers a compelling STR market for investors seeking lower entry points than Florida, with a strong drive market from Houston and event-driven demand. Key variables include insurance costs and property condition, making local expertise crucial.

Proper Insurance has launched three new resources to assist short-term rental owners in evaluating their insurance coverage. These tools aim to simplify the complex process of understanding policy options and ensuring adequate protection for STR properties.

A vacation rental was heavily damaged by a fire. While details are scarce, this incident highlights the critical need for robust insurance coverage and diligent safety protocols for all STR hosts to prevent property loss and guest injury.

Proper Insurance has launched three new resources designed to help short-term rental owners understand and evaluate their insurance coverage options. These tools aim to demystify insurance complexities and empower hosts to make informed decisions for their properties.

This article from HGTV.com outlines seven common and costly mistakes short-term rental homeowners should avoid to ensure profitability and a smooth hosting experience. Key errors include neglecting insurance, improper pricing, and overlooking guest communication.

Finding reliable Airbnb cleaners is crucial for STR hosts. Explore marketplaces like Turno, local referrals, and agencies. Thorough vetting includes references, insurance, and a paid trial clean. Proper onboarding with written standards and checklists is key to retention.

Wildfires are increasing, leading insurers to underwrite property resilience, not just location. This trend is pushing hotels to improve defenses, as disruptions and rising insurance costs impact operations. Even properties not in traditional hotspots face risks from smoke and embers.

iGMS and Safely have partnered to offer integrated insurance and enhanced risk management solutions for short-term rental hosts. This collaboration aims to streamline host operations and provide greater peace of mind.

California lawmakers are considering condo construction defect legislation, including AB 1903 for a 'right-to-repair' process and AB 1406 to raise liquidated damages. These aim to reduce litigation and insurance costs, which have significantly impacted condo development.

Corporate housing offers higher monthly income and steadier occupancy than unfurnished leases or nightly rentals, attracting professional tenants. However, it requires significant upfront furnishing costs, higher vacancy risk, and careful navigation of insurance and regulations, with income topping out below peak vacation rental earnings.

Mercury Insurance highlights five common myths about vacation rentals that can lead to costly surprises. Understanding insurance needs, local regulations, and the true costs of ownership is crucial for hosts to avoid financial pitfalls and ensure smooth operations.

This article discusses how Airbnb earns additional revenue beyond base stay rates through services like insurance, 'Pay Later' options, and cancellation fees. Understanding these revenue streams can help hosts optimize their own pricing and policies.

Airbnb is boosting its revenue not by increasing host fees, but by selling add-on products like insurance and 'Pay Later' options to guests. These guest-side revenue streams lift Airbnb's take rate, impacting the total guest budget available for nightly rates.

UAE hotels saw a dramatic drop to 19.6% occupancy post-Iran war, rebounding to 82.2% during Eid, then settling in the 40-50s. Incentives and visa markets are being used to attract visitors, as many conferences were canceled.

A new proposal suggests a national insurance umbrella for U.S. hazard risks, aiming for faster disaster payouts and more affordable insurance. It highlights pooled-risk programs and metric-driven payouts as key to managing escalating disaster losses.

Bed Bath & Beyond is acquiring Fathom Holdings for $53.38M, creating an "Everything Home" platform. This reflects a trend toward integrated homeownership ecosystems, combining brokerage, mortgage, title, and insurance services. The move challenges traditional brokerage models and emphasizes a lifelong consumer relationship in real estate.

UK and Australia have lifted travel warnings for Gulf countries like UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia following a US-Iran agreement. This eases travel insurance hurdles, crucial for tourism recovery after a war that disrupted Gulf travel, closed airports, and damaged hotels.

Hazard insurance is becoming a major constraint on the U.S. housing market, impacting home sales, affordability, and supply. Rising disaster frequency and severity are straining the insurance system, leading to higher premiums and unavailability of coverage, threatening economic mobility.

Santa Barbara is tightening STR rules with a new permit program costing $3,334 and $2,897 annually. This aims to boost accountability, address noise/traffic complaints, and improve tax collection. Additional requirements include parking, insurance, and fire-risk zone restrictions.

Airbnb's Host Damage Protection is enhancing coverage, signaling a shift towards greater host security. This update could redefine expectations for protection against guest damages, impacting how hosts approach risk management and insurance.

Airbnb's Host Damage Protection is undergoing a subscription-based reshuffle, impacting how hosts manage risk coverage. This change requires hosts to adapt their insurance strategies and understand the new terms of protection.

Virginia regulators are investigating Airbnb for offering a host damage protection plan without an insurance license. This raises concerns for hosts in the state regarding the validity and recourse available through such plans.