Global name joins short lets trade body

The UK Short Term Accommodation Association says the high profile digital platform Booking.com is to become a member. 

Available in 43 languages and offering more than 28m accommodation listings, this is one of the world’s most recognisable brands. 

The site also includes over 6.6m listings in homes, apartments and other places to stay.

Booking joins Airbnb and Expedia as full members of the association, which now claims to represent the interests of more than 90 per cent of the properties in the UK available on a short term rental basis.

Booking’s UK public affairs manager, Fiona MacConnacher, says: “We have seen a continuing desire for people to rent homes and apartments for their UK holidays and, as a result, our business focus continues in this sector. We recognise the positive work that the STAA has been doing on behalf of the industry and are keen to contribute to its strategy and plans going forwards as well as contribute to tackling common industry challenges.”

Andy Fenner, the STAA chief executive, adds: “The short term lets sector has flourished as Covid travel restrictions have subsided but we still face many challenges and based on inaccurate assumptions and a lack of appreciation about the economic contributions our sector makes to local communities not best served by other industry. 

“Booking.com is a key online travel platform and it has demonstrated a real responsibility in managing its growth in a sustainable and professional way. Its presence in our associations will help us to reach out in a positive way to key audiences and stakeholders such as local authorities, government and other associations.”