Short-Term Let Regulations Update with VRBO – Tuesday, 15th March 2023

In association with Vrbo

This webinar was for ASSC members; non-members of ASSC & Vrbo partners to provide an update and understanding of the next steps in terms of short-term let legislation.  This session was hosted by Fiona Campbell, Chief Executive, ASSC together with Joanna Millar, Legal Director, Gilson Gray; Sinead Lim, Senior Sales Manager, Vrbo UK and Jessica Elmes, Key Account Manager, Vrbo UK.

Joanna Millar is a Legal Director with Gilson Gray LLP. Joanna is qualified over 25 years and during that time has specialised in Licensing and Corporate law. Prior to joining Gilson Gray in November 2019, Joanna ran her own firm. Her team moved as a whole to Gilson Gray but this background allows her to understand first-hand the challenges which face owner operated and small/medium sized businesses. Joanna has been involved in licensing at ground level throughout her career and has now been involved through the ASSC and her membership of the Law Society of Scotland in discussions about the proposed licensing regime for short lets affecting all self-catering accommodation providers. Joanna is well placed to advise clients on all aspects of their business from the licensing process, business structure, supplier contracts and terms and conditions. Gilson Gray as a firm provides support through all aspects of life and business from buying a first home or flat, upsizing and downsizing property, second homes, business premises, pre and post nup agreements, will, powers of attorney and executory matters. We can also offer assistance from Gilson Gray Financial Management who take away the confusion often surrounding areas such as pensions, life insurance, mortgages and all aspects of investments and protections such as medical cover and similar.

AboutVrbo: In 1995, Vrbo introduced a new way for people to travel together, pairing homeowners with families and friends looking for places to stay. We were grounded in one purpose: To give people the space they need to drop the distractions of everyday life and simply be together. Since then, we’ve grown into a global community of homeowners and travellers, with unique properties around the world. Vrbo makes it easy and fun to book private whole vacation homes where you always get the entire place to yourself.  Vrbo is part of Expedia Group and offers homeowners and property managers exposure to over 750 million visits to Expedia Group sites each month.

 Sinead Lim, Senior Sales Manager, Vrbo UK

  • Sinead Lim is the Senior Sales Manager for Vrbo UK with over 16 years’ experience in the travel industry. She has led both EMEA Acquisition and UK Account management teams in Vrbo, part of Expedia Group. Sinead is an experienced sales leader working in the sectors of leisure, travel and tourism. Since joining the Vrbo Partner Success EMEA team in 2021, Sinead has worked closely with industry tourism associations and property management software partners to enable new and existing partners to power their properties on the Vrbo site.

 Jessica Elmes, Key Account Manager, Vrbo UK

  • Jessica Elmes is the Key Account Manager for Vrbo UK. Jessica has more than 10 years’ experience in the travel industry. Building on a background in hotels and tourism marketing, and with a passion for travel, she joined Vrbo’s Partner Success Team in 2020. Jessica works closely with her industry peers and software partners, staying ahead of the curve to ensure that her partners are empowered with every opportunity to achieve their business goals. With a keen interest and understanding of the vacation rentals sector, she is well equipped to coach property managers, developing strategies to maximise their visibility, bookings and revenue through Vrbo’s platform.   

In association with

New World, New Opportunities – Trends to Capitalise on to Compete in a Global Tourism Market – Tuesday, 7th March 2023

Vicki Miller, Director of Marketing & Digital, VisitScotland covered an overview of the latest consumer trends looking at consumer demand for travel, changes in consumer behaviour including changes to the ways consumers are booking their holiday. The session will provide an overview of how VisitScotland are responding to these trends, how they are promoting the self catering sector and what you can do to be discoverable in a competitive market place.

the logo of Visit Scotland

Vicki joined VisitScotland in 2005 after three successful years with Dumfries & Galloway Tourist Board where she held the posts of Head of Marketing & Visitor Services and Acting Chief Executive. Vicki played a key role in the region’s recovery post foot & mouth and delivered a three-year European funded Marketing programme working with local stakeholders.

Since then she has held a number of Senior Marketing positions within VisitScotland including Head of Local Marketing, Head of Content Marketing and Head of Customer Experience. Vicki has also been instrumental in leading the organisation’s digital transformation programme of work.

On 1st November 2019 Vicki was appointed as VisitScotland’s Director of Marketing & Digital, having undertaken interim responsibility for the role for 15 months.

The Marketing & Digital Directorate plays a key role in delivering on VisitScotland’s Responsible Tourism ambition with a strategic focus on regional and seasonal visitor spread to generate a positive impact in communities & destinations across Scotland working collaboratively with local stakeholders; inspiring and influencing visitors to make responsible choices; ensuring diversity and inclusion across all of VisitScotland’s platforms; promoting the natural & cultural heritage of Scotland and the protection of it for future generations.

Prior to 2001, Vicki had eight years in Senior Marketing roles within the energy and financial services sectors working for Scottish Hydro-Electric and Bank of Scotland.

Talking Climate Action: Benefiting Your Business & the Environment – Tuesday, 21st February 2023

The ASSC are delighted to welcome Janie Neumann, Sustainable Tourism Manager at VisitScotland along to the session to share her wealth of knowledge and experience. The talk will be specific to the self-catering sector in Scotland and will include an update about the climate action journey that Scottish Tourism is on and how you can get started on your own. She will address the drivers and benefits of taking action, provide a step-by-step guide to developing a simple climate action plan, some quick wins to reduce your carbon footprint and increase efficiency, and where to get more advice and support.

Janie Neumann, Sustainable Tourism Manager, VisitScotland

Janie plays a key role in VisitScotland’s Responsible Tourism activity, with a focus on the transition to a low-carbon future and supporting Scotland’s NetZero by 2045 targets. She has 20 years of experience in the travel and tourism industry, working to support the delivery of responsible tourism that benefits businesses, provides enriching quality experiences for visitors, enhances the communities it operates in and protects the natural and cultural heritage it depends on.