New York City has tightened the rules for hotel operations. After having supported a campaign to rein in short-term rentals, the city's hotel sector has now gotten a taste of greater regulation of itself.
The New York City Council bill has ignited a fierce debate between supporters who claim it will improve safety and working conditions and opponents who argue it could cripple the hotel industry.
Airbnb's Host Clubs don't solely exist to enlist in local regulatory campaigns. But in the past, the company's public policy team has been heavily involved in their operations, and will be in the future.
Los Angeles' city council appeared this week to have reached a political compromise with the local hotel workers's union about a controversial plan to mandate that hotels temporarily house the…
Under Chris Lehane, Airbnb has often irritated and outraged local government leaders and short-term rental peers. But as we know about negative campaigns and hardball tactics, they often get results.
Airbnb's stealthy financing and leadership of supposedly grassroots host clubs around the world to pursue the short-term rental giant's advocacy agenda may be an effective tactic, but it furthers a false narrative about the nature of the company, and it is a blotch on its reputation.
Contributions to the American Society of Travel Advisors’ political action committee are up this year, indicating growing awareness of the value of political advocacy. Making politicians aware of the particular needs of travel agencies — something many have little understanding of — is crucial.