Expedia Group reveals 2026 travel trends in new ‘Unpack’ report
US: Expedia Group has unveiled Unpack ’26: The Trends in Travel, its latest annual report highlighting the key shifts shaping global tourism next year. Drawing on insights from more than 24,000 global travellers, the report identifies seven core trends from salvaged hotels and farm stays to book club retreats and AI-powered destination stewardship all reflecting […]
Expedia updates Vrbo platform with new AI and tech features
US: Expedia Group has added a suite of updates to its Vrbo vacation home rental platform designed to drive more demand for vacation rental partners, improve quality standards, and simplify the booking process for travellers.
Vrbo introduces full penalties for hosts who leave guests stranded
US: Vacation rental platform Vrbo will begin imposing 100 per cent penalties on US hosts who fail to provide guests access to a booked property, starting October 1.
Vrbo offers last-minute deals for vacation rentals
US: On Tuesday, Vrbo announced it will offer last-minute deals through its app and website on private vacation rental bookings. Nearly 300,000 last-minute deals are now live on Vrbo, and travellers can book these discounted rates within 30 days of check-in. The deals can be found under the “last minute booking” filter on the Vrbo […]
European hoteliers file collective action against Booking.com
A group of more than 25 national hotel associations across Europe has filed collective legal action against Booking.com in the Netherlands. The lawsuit challenges the platform’s use of price parity clauses,
Vrbo launches global promotions suite
US: Vrbo has launched a global promotions suite designed to help hosts attract a broader range of travellers through discounts and strategic pricing. The suite is now available worldwide on Vrbo and its sister platforms, including Abritel, FeWo-Direkt, Stayz, Bookabach, and eligible vacation rental listings on Expedia. The promotions suite currently features early booking and […]
Vrbo expands accessibility features
US: The vacation rental platform has introduced eight new search filters and launched an educational course to support hosts in making their properties more accessible. Vrbo is working to create a more inclusive experience for travellers with disabilities through the expansion of its accessibility features and a new industry partnership. Previously, travellers could only search […]
Vrbo to revise One Key earn rates from May
Vrbo loyalty rewards are changing from 22 May 2025, with One KeyCash earn rates now linked to membership tiers
Vrbo reveals its 2025 vacation rentals of the year
US: Vrbo has unveiled its 2025 vacation rentals of the year, with the selection showcasing some of the top-rated holiday homes across the United States.
European Union to hike VAT on sharing economy platforms
Estonia / EU: EU diplomats have reached an agreement on VAT [value-added tax] rule reforms that would result in tax hikes for sharing economy platforms including Airbnb and ride-sharing service Uber after Estonia dropped its previous veto position.