STAA short term rental trade body welcomes 14 new members and elects board

Association offered free two-month trial period during COVID-19 crisis

UK trade body the Short Term Accommodation Association has welcomed 14 new members and announced the results of its annual board elections.

Merilee Karr, chief executive of UnderTheDoormat, will continue as chair and Jean Philippe Monod, vice-president of Expedia Group will continue as vice chair.

Three companies have signed up as members on a full-time basis – Sykes Holiday Cottages, Pass the Keys and Firescape.

And eleven others have joined on the free two-month trial period membership offer that the STAA launched at the start of the month.

The new members represent a 35% increase to take it to 39 corporate and affiliate members, as well as many companies that provide specific services to the growing short-term rental sector.

Graham Donoghue, chief executive of Sykes Holiday Cottages, said, “We are really pleased to be joining the STAA.

“The work it has done during these unprecedented times both representing the interests of its members and setting up the NHS Homes scheme, in which we are participating, has been truly impressive.

“I hope we can add a significant level of support and collaborate fully with the other members to make the STAA a strong and respected voice for our sector of the travel industry.”

Matt Chetwood, chief operating officer of Pass the Keys said: “We are delighted to become a member of the STAA.

“We are looking forward to meeting and working with the other members so that we can make a telling contribution to the development of the industry we all love.”

Paul Jameson, managing director of Firescape said, “The STAA has been recognised for some time as being a voluble and credible voice for the short-term rentals sector, so we are delighted to become a member.

“We hope that we can add value to the debates and work alongside the other members to create a sustainable future.”

Karr said: “It’s great to be able to welcome these new members to our Association. The unprecedented circumstances that we are currently all dealing with has shown that we are stronger when we collaborate and work together.

“A great example of this the commitment shown by many of our members in launching the NHS Homes scheme to offer key NHS workers free accommodation near the hospitals they work at.

“I am particularly pleased that Pass the Keys, Firescape and Sykes have joined on a full-time basis.

“They, along with those companies that have taken up the free trial membership offer will help us to have a more powerful voice on the issues that affect the sector as we emerge from this current crisis and will add further weight to our aim of growing the short-term rental sector in a responsible and sustainable way.”

Following elections, the STAA board now comprises:

• Chair: Merilee Karr, chief executive, UnderTheDoormat
• Vice Chair: Jean Philippe Monod, vice president corporate and government affairs, Expedia Group
• Policy Lead: Theo Lomas, head of public policy, Government Relations & Campaigns (UK & Ireland) Airbnb
• Affiliate Members and Research Lead: Louise Birritteri, founder and chief executive, Pikl Insurance
• Property Managers Lead: Lavina Liyanage, chief markets officer, onefinestay
• Events & New Members Lead:  Leo Walton, growth director, GUARDHOG