Thursday Briefing: Two More Italy Earthquakes, Airbnb Law Could Boost Hotel Rates

historic church in italy damaged by earthquake
Photo by AP Photo/Sandro Perozzi/via Newscred

Two more earthquakes in Italy and how a new law in New York regulating Airbnb could raise hotel rates are the top travel industry headlines to follow today. 

Two Earthquakes Strike Central Italy

In Italy, two powerful earthquakes struck the central region of the country Wednesday, but this time reports of injuries have been few, NBC News reports. While there was some structural damage to buildings and historic churches, there were few injuries and one death, a 73-year-old man whose fatal heart attack may have been triggered by the earthquake. 

The news is a change from the earthquakes that struck Italy back in August, which killed over 240, including tourists tapped inside the Hotel Roma in Amatrice

“We currently have some groups touring,” said Phil Cappelli, president of Insight Vacations. “The Tour Directors have advised that all guests are doing well and are enjoying their holidays. All trips are operating as scheduled. The safety and well-being of guests is of paramount importance to TTC and the company is closely monitoring the situation on the ground. TTC continually observes government travel advisories and strongly recommends guests adhere to such advice.”

Wednesday’s earthquakes, however, struck an area that had already been hit by an earthquake in 1997, Mario Tozzi, a researcher at Italy's National Research Council, told NBC, meaning that many of the houses and structures in the area had already been reinforced. Additionally, many of the houses that collapsed Wednesday had already been abandoned after the August earthquakes, and the first, slightly weaker quake that struck Wednesday at 7 p.m. local time prompted many residents to evacuate their homes before a more powerful earthquake struck two hours later. At the same time, Tozzi warned that further education would be needed to protect residents of medieval towns in seismically active areas. 

New Airbnb Law Could Raise Hotel Rates

Hotel rates in New York could be about to rise following a new law regulating Airbnb hosts, according to a hotel executive quoted in the Washington Post

The law, which was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo on Friday, fines anyone who lists their apartment on a short-term rental site like Airbnb up to $7,500, prompting Mike Barnello, CEO of LaSalle Hotel Properties, to say that the legislation “should be a big boost in the arm for the business, certainly in terms of pricing,” the Post reports. 

According to the Post proponents of the law say Airbnb has taken New York rental properties off the market. While renting out an entire apartment for less than 30 days has been illegal in the city for six years, the new law adds significant penalties by fining any person who advertises an apartment on a short-term basis. Renting a single room is still legal. 

crystal aircruises

Crystal AirCruises Partners With The Peninsula Hotels

In cruise news, Crystal AirCruises has announced a new plan to partner with The Peninsula Hotels on the brand’s inaugural journey, our partner publication Luxury Travel Advisor learned at a press conference this morning

The 27-day “The Peninsula Grand Inaugural Crystal AirCruise” will fly from New York to Paris, stopping in 10 cities, with a stay at a Peninsula Hotels property and exclusive local events in each destination. The itinerary will take off on a Boeing 777-200LR jet August 31, 2017. Those events will include four galas, starting with a rooftop cocktail reception in New York and including a private party and dinner on the Great Wall of China in Beijing; dinner meant to be reminiscent of “Old Shanghai” at The Peninsula Shanghai; and a special Loy Krathong “Festival of Lights” celebration at The Peninsula Bangkok. In Tokyo, guests will get to enjoy a private Kabuki performance, and at the conclusion of the trip in Paris, guests will take a trip to the Champagne region for a behind-the-scenes tour and private lunch at a Champagne house. In each destination, guests will get a chance to take part in The Peninsula’s Afternoon Tea experience. 

The Peninsula properties on the trip include The Peninsula New York, The Peninsula Chicago, The Peninsula, Beverly Hills, The Peninsula Tokyo, The Peninsula Beijing, The Peninsula Shanghai, The Peninsula Hong Kong, The Peninsula Manila, The Peninsula Bangkok, and The Peninsula Paris. Each hotel will offer guests a special welcome cocktail reception hosted by a “local insider,” as well as experiences from their Peninsula Academy programs. 

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