HomeToGo and Lakestar SPAC to combine in €1.2bn merger
Germany: Vacation rental distribution channel and metasearch engine, HomeToGo, has announced that it is entered into a definitive agreement to merge with publicly listed special purpose acquisition company Lakestar SPAC I in a €1.2 billion [$1.41 billion] transaction. Under the terms of the transaction which is expected to close in the third quarter of 2021, […]
Study links Airbnb listings to increased rates of violence
US: New research published this week has suggested that the presence of Airbnb listings in neighbourhoods is leading to an increase in violent crimes being committed over time. The peer-reviewed study, published in the journal PLOS ONE and conducted by Northeastern University in Boston, USA, analysed the veracity of news reports linking short-term rental platforms […]
Minut launches smart lock integrations with igloohome
Worldwide: Property monitoring company Minut is launching smart lock integrations with smart lock solutions specialist igloohome. The integration is now live and will enable hosts and property managers to automate the guest check-in process by sharing the lock code with their guests. Over the past year, smart locks have helped millions of hosts welcome guests while practising social distancing. Contactless check-in has proven to […]
Wildpoint secures £265k in pre-seed funding
UK: Camping marketplace Wildpoint, which allows campers to find and book outdoor stays at campsites, caravans, tipis, and cabins, has announced that it has raised £265,000 in pre-seed funding. Founded in 2020, Wildpoint is seeking to “make the outdoors more accessible to all” by providing users with the opportunity to search, browse and book outdoor spaces […]