This week’s roundup covers Airbnb’s new Weather Protection insurance, Booking.com’s research results, and new vacation rental restrictions in Virginia and Oregon. Let’s dive in.
Airbnb announced a brand-new Weather Protection add-on for guests, now live in ten European markets. Similar to Vrbo’s “WeatherPromise” program, covered in Industry News on February 20th, this optional add-on is offered to eligible guests during checkout, with no setup required from hosts. When the policy’s rainfall threshold is met, the coverage automatically pays guests between €50 and €1,000 per qualifying day, without requiring guests to file a claim. The initial rollout includes Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.
ShortTermRentalz released an interesting article this week sharing results from Booking.com’s September survey of 500 senior UK decision-makers across the hospitality industry. Key takeaways from the report include the importance of offering multiple payment options to guests and a rise in the use of AI. Booking.com reported that 62% of those surveyed had seen guests abandon bookings when their preferred payment method was unavailable, and 84% reported that adding more payment options had helped them increase bookings. The survey also found that daily AI use among those surveyed rose to 66%, up from 32% in 2025. For vacation rental operators looking to increase direct bookings, this is a great reminder of the importance of offering multiple payment options.
In short-term rental regulation news, the Norfolk City Council in Virginia approved new vacation rental restrictions on Tuesday, targeting the Willoughby area. Under the new rules, new vacation rentals must be more than 300 feet from existing permitted STRs, and properties with four documented violations within two years can face a two-year suspension. The decision follows concerns from residents about the density of short-term rentals in this area. Existing STRs that meet the requirements will be allowed to continue operating.
In Oregon, Dunes City voters will have new vacation rental restrictions on the November ballot. If approved, Measure 20-386 would stop the city from issuing new vacation rental permits and require existing operators to have an on-site host during guest stays, correct violations within one hour, and follow applicable HOA rules. Existing STR operators would need to meet these new requirements in order to renew their annual permits. For vacation rental operators in Dunes City, now is a great time to get involved and make your voice heard before the upcoming vote.
As Airbnb adds weather protection options for guests and governments consider new STR restrictions, the vacation rental industry continues to evolve in Q4. Check back next week for the latest news!