Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Emily Yeager, Ph.D. Candidate

Emily Yeager is currently at the University of Georgia pursuing a Ph.D. in Sustainable Tourism and Integrative Conservation. Her current research focuses on assessing the social, environmental, and economic impacts of short term vacation rentals from the perspective of residents and STVR hosts.

Bynum Boley, Ph.D.

Bynum Boley is an Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia. His research focuses on sustainable tourism with special attention to how the natural and cultural resources of communities can be protected, packaged and marketed to jointly increase sustainability, resident quality of life and a community's competitiveness as a destination."

Cari Goetcheus

Cari Goetcheus is Director of the Cultural Landscape Lab and Associate Professor of Historic Preservation at the University of Georgia (UGA). Goetcheus has nearly 30 years of experience in historic research, heritage planning, cultural landscape conservation and project management.

Meredith Welch-Devine

Meredith Welch-Devine is Director of Interdisciplinary and Innovative Initiatives for the University of Georgia Graduate School. She is a cultural anthropologist, and her current work focuses on observations and perceptions of climate change as well as how residents of coastal communities think about adaptation to sea level rise and to extreme weather events.

Abstract (150 Words)

Expanding the Profile of Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Hosts in Savannah, GA

Abstract

This research explores the complex identities of STVR hosts through their roles as entrepreneurs and residents in the communities that they host and live. Additionally, this research studies how hosts’ fluid identity uniquely positions them as potential sustainable entrepreneurs in their community. A total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with hosts or STVR managers that were once hosts. As entrepreneurs, extrinsic motivations are often initial drivers for hosting but intrinsic benefits become integral to the enjoyment of hosting and an important motivator for continued participation. As residents, hosts were mixed in their sense of community but many voiced concerns over STVR impacts on their community. Lastly, many hosts already exhibit elements of sustainable entrepreneurship through listing specific efforts to reduce waste i.e. advertising compost bins to guests or promoting minority-owned businesses to guests.

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Expanding the Profile of Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Hosts in Savannah, GA

Expanding the Profile of Short Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Hosts in Savannah, GA

Abstract

This research explores the complex identities of STVR hosts through their roles as entrepreneurs and residents in the communities that they host and live. Additionally, this research studies how hosts’ fluid identity uniquely positions them as potential sustainable entrepreneurs in their community. A total of 26 in-depth interviews were conducted with hosts or STVR managers that were once hosts. As entrepreneurs, extrinsic motivations are often initial drivers for hosting but intrinsic benefits become integral to the enjoyment of hosting and an important motivator for continued participation. As residents, hosts were mixed in their sense of community but many voiced concerns over STVR impacts on their community. Lastly, many hosts already exhibit elements of sustainable entrepreneurship through listing specific efforts to reduce waste i.e. advertising compost bins to guests or promoting minority-owned businesses to guests.