Short-Term Rental Policy Expert Announces Book on Airbnb Solutions
AUSTIN, TEXAS – A seasoned Short-term Rental (STR) and city policy expert today announced the release of a book to help communities that grapple with achieving compliance with the travel accommodation that is sometimes called vacation rentals and often identified by the well-known industry brand, AirBnB. The book, “Long-term Solutions for Short-term Rentals”, by Matt Curtis, is a guide for communities challenged by creating effective local STR rules..
“This has been a budget-crushing concern for cities around the world,” said Matt Curtis, author of Long-Term Solutions for Short-Term Rentals and CEO of Smart City Policy Group. “Few cities have achieved a reasonable level of compliance. Neighbors are screaming, travel leaders want obligated taxes, and rental operators are trying to understand confusing rules. This book will bring all sides together to understand the evolving industry, traveler trends and solutions for compliance”.
Matt Curtis, a former right hand to two Austin mayors started Smart City Policy Group in 2017 after years working in government and the Short-term Rental (STR) industry. His consultancy includes former elected officials and policy staff who worked together to help bridge the divide between the new innovation economy and local governments.
In the past ten years, more than two thousand cities in the United States have discussed, and created regulations for STRs. Concerns vary from city to city but the core complaints focus on tax remittance, housing and zoning impacts, noise and parties, and more.
“Matt is the go-to resource for STR policy creation,” said Glynn County, Georgia former commissioner Peter Murphy. “His work guided us to a successful ordinance”.
In 2019 Smart City Policy Group hosted a first-of-its-kind short-term rental regulations conference – Smart City Policy Summit. The summit featured attendees from all sides of the STR industry: city regulators, the travel industry and vacation rental managers.
For more than ten years Curtis has been lauded for his work with cities tackling STR issues. Former Mayor of New Orleans, Mitch Landrieu called him, “A best friend of American mayors” and Columbia, South Carolina’s Mayor Stephen Benjamin said, “Matt Curtis is a valued resource for local leaders working on tough issues.”
The Smart City Policy Group team has worked on STR regulatory and government advocacy issues for years. Matt and his team have presented on Short-term Rental regulations around the world including government associations, city and state panels, travel industry conferences and more.
Those interested in more information, or to join the waiting list for a copy of “Long-term Solutions for Short-term Rentals” can visit SmartCityPolicyGroup.com/books
“This book will help local communities find effective solutions,” said author Matt Curtis.
Please direct any media or general inquiries to Keith Jenkins: keith@usdigitaldesign.com, (512) 649-5246.
