Israel unveils measures to restrict short-term rentals
Israel: The Israeli government has held a press conference in which it set out its plan to address the high cost of housing in the country and place additional restrictions on short-term rental platforms including Airbnb. Israel’s finance [Avigdor Lieberman], interior [Ayelet Shaked] and housing [Zeev Elkin] ministers convened with the press on Sunday to […]
Tel Aviv rental market reacts to coronavirus
Israel: With tourism on hiatus for the time being, landlords in Tel Aviv are searching for alternatives to Airbnb. Analysts focusing on the rental market in the city have noted a rise in apartments listed for rental in the city, notably those which had previously served as Airbnbs. Nir Chen, analyst for online classified market […]
“Leading the guest experience transformation”: David Mezuman, Wishbox
Israel: ShortTermRentalz speaks to Wishbox co-founder and CEO, David Mezuman, about the company’s recent $2.5m funding round, its Up-Sell by Wishbox service, and the guest experience trend of travellers seeking greater transparency and personalisation. Please introduce yourself, the Wishbox brand and the services you provide within the short-term rental industry. “Wishbox is a guest experience platform […]
Wishbox raises $2.5m to accelerate global expansion plan
Israel: Guest experience platform Wishbox has announced that it has completed a funding round of $2.5 million. The funding was led by London based BNF Capital Limited with existing investors also participating. This round is an addition to $1 million raised in 2017, bringing the company’s funding to a total of $3.5 million up to […]
Tel Aviv municipality approves large Airbnb tax hike
Israel: Tel Aviv residents renting out apartments on a short-term rental basis on platforms like Airbnb have been informed by the municipality that they will have to pay over double the regular rate. In a letter attached to the most recent municipal tax bill, apartment owners renting out their homes will now be required to […]
YIMBYTLV movement makes rental claims in Tel Aviv
Israel: Between five and seven thousand apartments in Tel Aviv are reportedly being rented out on platforms like Airbnb, leaving a shortage of housing, according to Yes In My Back Yard Tel Aviv (YIMBYTLV). YIMBYTLV is a movement that seeks to fight against the supposed rising prices of housing in Tel Aviv, as well as […]
Municipal tax set to be tripled on Airbnbs in Tel Aviv
Israel: The Tel Aviv Municipal Council has proposed to triple the city’s municipal tax on apartments rented for over three months via Airbnb. According to Israel’s Channel 10, the proposal on the tax, known as arnona, was put forth after a rise in the number of apartments being used as long-term Airbnb rentals in the […]
Guesty announces latest direct integration with TripAdvisor
Tel Aviv: Property management platform Guesty has announced a direct integration with travel community TripAdvisor Rentals. The integration is the latest partnership to enhance Guesty’s existing ‘”integration marketplace”, which already boasts integrations with Airbnb, Booking.com and Agoda among others. Guesty co-founder & CEO Amiad Soto said: “The integration with TripAdvisor Rentals enables our customers to […]
Israeli hotel brand Fattal Group set to offer Airbnb rental apartments
Israel: Israel’s biggest hotel chain, Fattal Group, has reportedly leased two buildings in the Tel Aviv neighbourhoods of Kerem Hateimanim and Neve Tzedek to be used as short-term rental apartments. The buildings are being listed on Airbnb and other booking sites under the “Master” brand of Fattal’s Leonardo Hotels unit. Fattal said in a statement: […]
$20 million funding boost for Guesty
Israel: Guesty, a Tel Aviv-based startup property management platform has raised $19.75 million in Series B funding. The round was led by TLV Partners who joined existing investors Magma VC and Buran VC. Co-founded in 2013 by twin brothers Amiad and Koby Soto, Guesty says it provides the means to manage all aspects of a […]