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Short-term rental groups are jumping into this summer's debate to dispel fears that short-term rental growth is pushing out New Orleans residents. And with*nearly three-quarters of all short-term rentals in the area comprising entire homes, supporters are pushing the city to keep those types of rentals on the table as regulations are drawn up.

At a panel discussion at The Curtis House on Magazine Street June 28, members of HomeAway, the umbrella group for 40 sites including VRBO, argued short-term rentals' economic impact to the city, particularly in residential neighborhoods, with an average of more than three visitors per home spending an average of four nights per visit, along with students on long-term academic trips, people on business, or families on medical-related trips spending as much time as tourists on vacation.

Travel website Expedia bought HomeAway earlier this year ?*Philip Minardi, Expedia's*Director of Policy Communications, said the company is hoping to integrate short-term rentals into its travel options the same way hotels or cabs are offered with flights.*Matt Curtis, Senior Director of Global Government Affairs and Public Policy for HomeAway, said*"burdensome regulations" ? like those potentially proposed by the New Orleans City Planning Commission and New Orleans City Council in August ? are likely to drive the industry underground.

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