LETTER: Vermont Short-Term Rental Alliance forms local chapter

April 29, 2022

To the Community:  

As a longtime second home owner in Waterbury, I would like to invite others in this community who own or manage a short-term rental (STR) property to a social networking event called "Waterbury Sip ’n’ STR." We will meet Thursday, May 5, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Stowe Street Cafe in order to start a Waterbury chapter of the Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance (VTSTRA). Light refreshments with alcohol will be available for purchase.

For some background, I am the owner of Villa Ausblick, a vacation rental home in Waterbury that my family has been sharing with visitors since 2005. Last year I joined the newly founded Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance as a board member. VTSTRA is a non-partisan, nonprofit coalition of individuals and businesses advocating for fair and reasonable regulations of Vermont’s short-term rentals.

The alliance’s stated values are to offer exceptional hospitality, promote the best of Vermont, respect the well-being of our neighbors, care for our communities and environment, strengthen the Vermont economy, and prioritize guest safety. We know the only way to do so is in partnership and collaboration with our neighbors and communities, but the first step is to connect STR hosts with each other.

VTSTRA has formed chapters in Vermont communities so local STR hosts can find each other to connect and learn from each other through in-person, social get-togethers. Any interested Waterbury STR host or manager is invited to respond on our Facebook event page or just show up. Learn more about the Vermont Short Term Rental Alliance online at vtstra.org.  

Sibylle Kim

Cambridge, Mass. (but in my heart is truly in Waterbury, VT)

Secretary, VTSTRA Board or Directors

secretary@vtstra.org