The changes destinations find out about too late.
A platform edits a help page. A collection agreement lapses. A city builds an enforcement method nobody in the industry has looked at. None of it arrives as an announcement, and by the time it reaches a board meeting the deadline has passed.
Published monthly. Every brief is dated and sourced, and we flag what we have confirmed separately from what we have not. Below is where we are looking right now.
Decoys: Salt Lake City used fake guest accounts to catch hosts
The city’s enforcement team contacted short-term rental operators through accounts that misrepresented who they were, and used the replies as evidence. Airbnb sent a cease and desist. Two institutions fighting over a list, and the only party with real exposure was not in the room.
Read the briefNine Days: Airbnb ends local lodging tax collection across most of Alabama
Effective September 15, the platform collects local lodging tax in nine Alabama jurisdictions and no others. None of the nine are in North Alabama, where the state rate is highest. Hosts who have never filed a return become personally liable, and Vrbo has never covered the gap.
Read the briefYour state is grey and it should not be? Tell us what is changing in your market and we will look into it. innovate@destinationinnovate.com