October 16, 2026
Everything the short-term-rental business needs to know today.
Agoda has formed a strategic partnership with Emerging Travel Group to connect directly to its hotel inventory using the RateHawk API. The integration adds listings across Europe, the United States, Latin America, and the Middle East to Agoda's booking platform.
Revenue management software company Pricepoint has launched Rate War, a browser-based game that challenges users to out-price its pricing algorithm across 30 nights of hotel inventory. The company stated the free tool is designed to benchmark manual pricing decisions against automated revenue calculations.
A Mews survey of 3,250 travelers found that guests accept artificial intelligence for functional tasks like tracking room rates, but resist using automated tools for personal itinerary decisions. The report indicated that consumers prefer personalized service built strictly on data they knowingly shared.
HomeToGo has named Dr. Christine Prauschke as chief business officer. The company stated that Prauschke takes operational responsibility for HomeToGo Originals, the platform's property management division, which includes vacation rental operator Interhome.
Officials in Madison issued 42 formal notices to short-term rental operators after a key permit deadline passed. Local authorities reported that the action targets properties operating without required city permits. Non-compliant hosts face enforcement steps as the municipality moves to regulate local neighborhood lodgings.
Vrbo plans to remove its rate parity requirement for hosts' direct booking websites, according to PriceLabs. However, the platform will maintain its standard 12% commission fee for listings. The change allows property managers to offer lower pricing on their independent direct booking channels without violating Vrbo platform policies.
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