HomeAway, a leading online marketplace for vacation rentals (also known as Vrbo in some regions), has been actively involved in shaping the regulatory environment for the short-term rental sector within the European Union. Recognizing the complex and evolving landscape of European tourism, HomeAway has engaged in lobbying activities primarily through the European Holiday Home Association (EHHA), which unites major short-term rental platforms and national associations representing property owners and managers across Europe.
HomeAway’s lobbying efforts center on advancing fair, innovative, and growth-oriented policies for the digital accommodation sector. The lobbying initiatives have focused on pivotal legislative files like the Package Travel Directive, the European Tourism Quality Label, reforms in the Digital Single Market, policies relating to the collaborative economy, and consumer data protection frameworks such as GDPR. The organization’s agenda is clear: striving for the removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers and ensuring a level playing field for digital platforms in the European marketplace.
Registered with the EU Transparency Register since December 2013, HomeAway—primarily via EHHA—has developed a structured and transparent approach to advocacy. Over the years, they have participated in expert working groups, maintained direct dialogue with key European Commission officials, and engaged in policy discussions that impact both their business model and the broader interests of private home owners and managers throughout Europe. Financial transparency is reflected in their declared annual lobbying expenditure, which has varied alongside the intensity of EU policy debates impacting short-term rentals.
