Vacation Rental Industry Professionals React to Recent Legislation

    MIAMI, FL, May 17, 2017 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Across the state of Florida, the vacation rental industry has been holding its breath for the passage of Senate Bill SB188, which would have tempered the authority of local governments to regulate vacation rentals. But during the May 3, 2017 legislative session, the bill did not pass. Now what?

Next Wednesday, a diverse group of industry leaders representing both local and national vacation rental companies will gather to react to recent legislative developments and discuss the overwhelming economic impact of the vacation rental industry locally and statewide. The event also serves as a kickoff for the Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FL VRMA SE Florida Chapter). Local vacation rental professionals have expressed a strong need for the peer-to-peer support and networking opportunities that a SE Florida chapter can provide.

According to Steve Moore, General Manager of Sonder, based in Miami-Dade County: "Vacation rentals provide travelers with choices. For instance, many of the creative and design professionals traveling to Miami prefer vacation rentals based on proximity to Wynwood and the Design District, where there are currently few hotels."

Steve will serve on a panel along with Ashley Hodgini, Government Affairs Manager, Homeaway; Lars Heldre, CEO of iRenta.com; and John Carter, currently President of Jasper and formerly General Manager of One Fine Stay. Sam Gaita, CEO of Gaita Luxury Properties and Denis Hanks, Executive Director, FL VRMA will also speak at the event.

The vacation rental industry is growing by leaps and bounds. In the pre-Internet era, vacation rentals were a largely mom-and-pop industry. This cottage industry has blown up, and experts predict the global vacation rental market will close in on $170 billion by 2019. In Florida alone, guests staying in vacation rentals spend $13 billion each year. Annual International real estate investment for vacation rentals is estimated at $16 billion statewide. Thousands of jobs in Florida depend on the industry, from property management, housekeeping, and landscaping jobs -- to people working at restaurants, museums and attractions supported by the many tourists visiting our state who stay in vacation rental accommodations.

Time will tell how Miami and other municipalities across the nation adapt to the overwhelming demand for vacation rentals as part of the new sharing economy. It will make for interesting discussion at the event.

Event Details:
Riding the Wave: FVRMA SE Florida Chapter Kickoff
May 17, 11:30AM-1:30PM
CIC Miami
1951 NW 7th Avenue, Miami

Contact: Denis Hanks, FL VRMA, 407-218-6600 or [email protected]

Local Contact: Alice Horn, 786-216-3254 or [email protected]

Sponsored by: Gaita Luxury Properties, iRenta.com, Resort Homes of Florida and FL VRMA

The Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (www.fvrma.org) is a statewide, membership-based organization whose mission is to unite, guide, support and represent the professional vacation rental industry, to establish and maintain standards of professional conduct, consumer awareness and protection, government advocacy and member education and certification to promote the vacation rental industry.

Source: Florida Vacation Rental Management Association (FVRMA)

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