ChatGPT launches travel apps with Expedia and Booking.com
US: OpenAI has launched third-party apps within ChatGPT, starting with travel giants Expedia and Booking.com, allowing users to research and book trips directly through the chatbot. The move follows the launch of OpenAI’s new Apps SDK (software development kit), which enables developers to create integrated experiences within ChatGPT. The feature opens ChatGPT’s 800-million-strong user base […]
OpenAI unveils AI agent Operator to book travel
US: OpenAI has officially unveiled one of its first AI agents called Operator, a system that can use its own browser to make travel reservations, fill out forms, order groceries and even create memes.
2024 Wrapped: The STRz stories that defined a year
Worldwide: Inspired by Spotify’s Wrapped series, we revisit the ten stories in 2024 that defined a year for short-term rentals, as well as our favourite video, podcast and webinar from the last 12 months.
Tripadvisor evolves model, cancels STR stays past October
Worldwide: Online travel agency Tripadvisor is transitioning its vacation rental strategy to a new business model that leverages third-party providers, although it denied that it was shutting down its rental offering altogether.
Eurostat: 678.6m nights spent in STRs via OTAs in 2023
Europe: Guests spent 678.6 million nights in short-term rental accommodation in the European Union [EU] booked via Airbnb, Booking, Expedia Group or TripAdvisor in 2023, according to the EU’s statistical agency Eurostat.
EU legislation moves closer as Parliament reaches data agreement
France / EU: EU regulation on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services has moved yet another step closer after the European Parliament approved an agreement reached in November with negotiators from member states.
Tripadvisor forms committee to review potential sale
US: Online travel agency Tripadvisor has formed a special committee to explore proposals for a potential sale of the company to Liberty TripAdvisor, an entity created in 2014 upon the spin off of Tripadvisor from Liberty Interactive.
Travalyst launches sustainability certification initiative
UK: Not-for-profit organisation Travalyst, a global coalition of some of the biggest brands in travel and technology, is launching an initiative to acknowledge sustainability certification bodies within the accommodation sector.
Airbnb welcomes “watershed” EU data collection agreement
Europe: The European Council and European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on a draft regulation on data collection and sharing for short-term rental accommodation services across the European Union [EU], in a bid to “promote a balanced tourism ecosystem”.
EU lawmakers to rule on “light touch” rental regulations
Europe: EU countries and European Parliament lawmakers are due to rule on the introduction of “light touch” short-term rental regulations across the bloc this Wednesday [15 November].