FTC Workshop on the "Sharing Economy" (aka Uber and
Airbnb)
The lead article in our aptly-named publication (News You Can Use) addresses the not-so-aptly-named “Sharing Economy”. (Really, what is being “shared” – it’s the usual exchange of $ for goods / services.) As you wade thru the document, you’ll find the issues of licensing/insurance/taxation addressed on pages 6 & 7. These tend to be the core of our (the innkeeping industry that is ‘playing by the rules’) concerns. A brief excerpt: In particular, the workshop will consider issues arising from the application of consumer protection principles and regulatory regimes to new sources of supply enabled by sharing economy platforms, as well as the role of competition policy in informing these issues. It also will assess competition enforcement issues that such platforms may raise, now or in the future.
The lead article in our aptly-named publication (News You Can Use) addresses the not-so-aptly-named “Sharing Economy”. (Really, what is being “shared” – it’s the usual exchange of $ for goods / services.) As you wade thru the document, you’ll find the issues of licensing/insurance/taxation addressed on pages 6 & 7. These tend to be the core of our (the innkeeping industry that is ‘playing by the rules’) concerns. A brief excerpt: In particular, the workshop will consider issues arising from the application of consumer protection principles and regulatory regimes to new sources of supply enabled by sharing economy platforms, as well as the role of competition policy in informing these issues. It also will assess competition enforcement issues that such platforms may raise, now or in the future.
Particularly
relevant questions for your comment include:
· How have sharing economy
platforms affected competition, existing suppliers, innovation, and consumer
choice in sectors in which they operate? How might they do so in the future?
·
How can state and local regulators meet
legitimate regulatory goals (such as protecting consumers, public health and
safety) while also promoting competition and innovation?
The final deadline for comments is August 4, 2015 and you’ll find the link to do so on page 7.
B&Bs battle to stay relevant in changing industry
Change is difficult – and “if you do what you’ve
always done, you’ll get what you always got” is often wistful thinking. The not-so-new reality for innkeepers is that
more time is likely spent on the computer than in the kitchen or face-to-face
with guests:
When
Carol Matsumoto first started with Captain Grant's she used the computer for
about 15 minutes a day. Now, she said, she has to spend close to four hours a
day online.
Kay Lucas, Brigadoon B&B notes: ”… the mobile people are the new walk-ins. We used to have people just walk up to the
door and now we have people driving on I-95 on their phones saying we’re on our
way.”
And, a
tourism exec noted “Look at B&Bs as a consumer
(would),” he said. “If there is no easy way to reserve a room, they aren’t
going to go there.”
So
that, in a nutshell, is why we here at PAII share those ‘techie’ how-to
articles with you, and arrange for those very informative webinars, presented
by our industry partners!
Serving Gluten Free Guests
And, staying relevant in our changing industry
includes being well-versed on the dietary preferences / requirements of B&B
guests. PAII members - check out the webinar, archived on the PAII website.
Recipe of the week: Rosemary Feta Cheese Bread
Our thanks for this recipe goes to the Kathleen
Janke, innkeeper at Gracehill B&B in Townsend
TN – a PAII member since 2001!
‘Til next week
Kris Ullmer, PAII Executive
Director
Photo Contests:
Deadline for entering has been extended to June 15, 2015: Details
and Contest Rules for the PAII Member’s Recipe Contest For Our Summer
Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/paii-recipe-contest-for-our-summer.html
and PAII Photo Contests For Our Summer Innkeeping Now Magazine! http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/05/photo-contests-for-our-summer.html
Conference Update:
This is the first of many "spotlights" we'd like to
shine on our industry vendor partners who have committed to showing
at the Trade Show in January.
As Cloudbeds says on their website, they want to help their
customers “spend less time with spreadsheets and more time with your guests.”
Read more about Cloudbeds at http://paiiinnkeepers.blogspot.com/2015/06/welcome-cloudbeds.html
Don’t forget! FTC Workshop on the "Sharing Economy" (aka
Uber and Airbnb)
The “Sharing” Economy: Issues Facing Platforms, Participants, and
Regulators Workshop
There will be a live webcast on JUN 9, 20158:30AM–5:30PM, the FTC
is taking comments relevant to the session. Innkeepers are advised to send in
their comments so they can be addressed.
News You Can Use:
The subtle and overlooked benefits of Welcome baskets
Industry News:
B&Bs battle to stay relevant in changing industry
Lodging makes high-tech part of high-class
Social Media & SEO Changes Innkeepers Should be aware of:
Tweets Showcased in Google Mobile Searches
Featured Past PAII Webinar from our Archives:
Serving Gluten Free Guests
Innkeeping Recipes:
From the Bed and Breakfast Association of Tennessee: http://www.tennessee-inns.com/
Rosemary Feta Cheese Bread from the kitchen of Gracehill B&B
Upcoming Webinars:
Please
register at http://www.innkeeping.org/?page=webinars (you
will need to login to your PAII account)
Wednesday, June 10, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The Innkeeper's Dilemma - to Renew or not Renew your Trip
Advisor Business Listing
Wednesday, June 17, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Reputation Management with a Channel Manager
Do
you own the first page of Google Search results for your brand name? This
webinar will focus on ways to manage your inn's online reputation. Learn how to
use a channel manager to dominate the first page of Google for branded queries.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
The 5 Greatest Marketing Challenges
In
a recent survey, over 400 innkeepers let us know their biggest marketing
challenges. We will present practical solutions for the top five: planning your
social media strategy, tracking return on investment, working with OTAs,
understanding SEO, and perfecting your photos.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Email + Social Media: Strategies & Tools
Let's
be frank. It's tough being disciplined enough to send regular emails to your
former guests and chat with them on social media. But studies consistently show
that innkeepers who do enjoy more new guests and more repeat guests.This
webinar will share with you some tools, strategies, and organizational tips you
can use to hone your email and social marketing strategies.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Understanding the Guest Experience, presented by Liz Day
Ever
wondered what your guests experience during the entire booking process? Join
Liz Day from RezStream as she helps you market your property better by
understanding how guests find your website on the search engines, what they
want when they arrive on your website, and how to guide them through the
booking process. Don’t forget about the analytical reporting review as she
helps you understand what you need to look at and how to process that
information.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
Attracting Millennials to Your Bed and Breakfast
The
younger generation frequents different online mediums and also looks for
different things out of life and travel. Attracting younger people to your bed
and breakfast is key to business growth and knowing what attracts them and
where to find them is important to long term business stability and
sustainability. Learn how to customize your marketing to appeal to the
younger generation, where to find them and what drives and motivates them.
Wednesday, August 19, 2015, 2:00 PM EST (Promo Webinar)
RezStream Cloud, presented by Josh Wise
Thinking
of upgrading your reservation software? See why many hoteliers are talking
about the RezStream Cloud. No longer do you need to be in the office to see
what’s happening at the property, simply login to your account on your laptop,
tablet, or smartphone. Learn about the benefits of the property management
software and the features that helps you run your business better.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015, 2:00 PM EST
10 tax tips for B&Bs
We
will discuss the tax treatment of Bed & Breakfasts and give 10 tax tips
every B&B owner should know. We will discuss entity selection,
maximizing deductions, tax minimization strategies, and long-term planning for
the B&B owner.
Don’t forget, We have set up an e-mail address questions@PAII.org for you to ask
questions and make comments directly to your board.
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