Pandemic Moves Short-Term Rental Regulation More Quickly Into Public-Private Collaboration
Photo Credit: The skyline of Seattle, where short-term rental regulation has been at the forefront for city and industry officials. Flickr Commons / Maëlick
Skift Take
The Covid crisis seems to have softened some of the hostilities between cities and short-term rental players. The idea of the two sides working together was once anathema, but certainly seems possible as long as their thinking keeps evolving.
In sharp contrast to last year’s fiery exchange about a rapidly growing short-term industry, at this year’s Skift Short Term Rental Summit representatives on Wednesday from both the hotel industry and rental platforms as well as policymakers and former city officials expressed their optimism in experiencing a more collaborative approach to sharing the short-term rental pie.
They also expressed hope for crafting short-term regulations that work for all involved: the city, the public sector, the tourism industry, and communities.
“The industry came in and we weren’t ready as municipalities and now we’re ready for those conversations and I’m excited about them,” Clarence Anthony, CEO and executive director of the National League of Cities said, thinking back to when short-term rentals were new versus how far discussions have come.
Amanda Pedigo, Expedia vice president of government and corporate affairs, agreed, noting that the industry now had a unique opportunity
