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As Vacation Rental Booking Platforms Evolve, Holiday Travelers Are Rethinking How They Book

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Savvy survey finds 81% of travelers encountered surprise fees when booking vacation rentals and 67% are very likely to switch from traditional to direct booking platforms to save hundreds.

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Holiday travelers are not giving up their plans as costs rise; they are finding ways to stretch their budget further. New survey data from Savvy, a direct booking marketplace for short-term vacation rentals, finds that more than 70% of travelers plan to take a leisure trip between October and February, but rising accommodation costs and booking fees are prompting consumers to look for greater value and transparency.

Among the survey’s most notable findings, more than 67% of travelers say they would be very likely to use a direct booking platform if they could save about 15%, potentially hundreds of dollars per trip, compared with booking through a traditional online travel agency (OTA) such as Airbnb or Vrbo. At the same time, 81% say they’ve been surprised by fees when booking accommodations on major travel sites.

The findings are based on a survey of 1,002 Savvy database respondents, conducted in September 2026. The survey captures how travelers are approaching holiday travel costs, booking fees, and accommodation decisions as they plan trips for the upcoming season.

“Travelers are not giving up their holiday trips because prices are higher. They are getting savvier about where they spend their money,” said Eric Goldreyer, founder and CEO of Savvy. “If a booking platform adds fees and the price keeps climbing, people are going to look elsewhere. Booking direct gives them another option, one where they can see the real price upfront and connect directly with a professional property manager. Direct booking is all about less stress, less surprises, and more value.”

Travelers Are Watching Their Accommodation Budgets

For most travelers, accommodations represent a significant portion of the holiday travel budget. Per the survey results, nearly 64% plan to spend about $2,500 on accommodations per trip.

With that budget in mind, travelers are looking for ways to cut costs. Booking directly with a hotel, vacation rental company, or host is the most popular cost-saving strategy, cited by 43.7% of respondents. Other top strategies include traveling during off-peak periods (40%), avoiding platforms with high service fees (38.6%), and using discount or deal sites (37.9%).

Price and Transparency Could Change Where Travelers Book

The survey data suggests consumers are not just looking for a lower price, they want to know what that price actually includes. Lowest total price and transparent pricing without additional fees ranked as the top two factors influencing where travelers book a vacation rental, cited by 49.48% and 36.33% of respondents, respectively.

And when the potential savings are clear, travelers say they are willing to change their habits. When told they could save about 15%, potentially hundreds of dollars per trip, by using a direct booking platform instead of a traditional OTA like Airbnb or Vrbo, more than 67% said they’d be very likely to use the alternative.

“Travelers are telling us what matters most is price, transparency, and a better booking experience,” added Goldreyer. “If consumers are willing to change how they book to save hundreds of dollars, that’s a very clear signal. They want a solution, and direct booking stands out.”

As consumers finalize their holiday plans, where they book has become just as important as where they travel. With accommodation costs and platform fees putting pressure on travel budgets, travelers are looking for ways to spend less, avoid surprises, and get more value from their stays.

For more information about the direct booking marketplace, Savvy, and to finalize your next trip, visit Savvy.com.

About Savvy  

Savvy is the direct booking marketplace where professional hospitality meets savvy travelers. With transparent pricing and zero service fees, Savvy helps travelers save up to 20% per booking while enjoying exceptional stays at more than 150,000 professionally managed properties. The platform connects travelers seeking a better booking experience with professional property managers who are passionate about delivering exceptional guest experiences.

For professional property managers, Savvy offers complete control over guest relationships, pricing, policies, and service, rewarding exceptional hospitality and supporting sustainable business growth. For more information, visit Savvy.com.

Contact: Emily Eastin
Interdependence
424023@email4pr.com
217-840-7455

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-vacation-rental-booking-platforms-evolve-holiday-travelers-are-rethinking-how-they-book-302897302.html

SOURCE Savvy

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SOXAI RING X Tops US$635,200 in Kickstarter Pledges, Attracts 2,868 Backers in First 72 Hours

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October 5, 2026

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After passing US$400,000 from 2,000 backers on its first day, the Japanese smart ring brand makes its international debut with a 5.19 mm-wide ring offering up to 10 days of battery life.

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SOXAI Inc. today announced that its SOXAI RING X smart ring has surpassed US$635,200 in pledges from 2,868 backers within 72 hours of its Kickstarter launch, after attracting 2,000 backers and more than US$400,000 in its first 24 hours.

With more than 80,000 users, SOXAI is Japan’s No. 1 smart ring brand by cumulative app downloads[1]. SOXAI RING X marks the company’s international debut, bringing together a width of just 5.19 mm—the narrowest in its category[2]—and up to 10 days of battery life[3].

Led by founder and CEO Dr. Tatsuhiko Watanabe, a former researcher at ETH Zurich, SOXAI develops its hardware, software and data analysis technologies together.

Proven Power Efficiency, Now in a Slimmer Ring

Low-power design is one of SOXAI’s core engineering strengths. Its previous model, SOXAI RING 2, is already on the market and delivers up to 15 days of continuous use on a single charge—among the longest battery lives in the smart ring category.

SOXAI RING X builds on that experience, applying the company’s expertise in power-efficient hardware and software to a more compact design. Users can review their sleep and activity in the companion app.

Original Engineering, Japanese Manufacturing

SOXAI RING X is an original product developed by SOXAI, not a rebranded white-label device.

SOXAI designs the ring’s physical structure and functionality, developing its hardware, software and data analysis as a complete system. Manufacturing and testing are planned to take place in Japan, alongside ongoing data management and customer support.

A working prototype is already complete.

A Japanese Brand with a Focus on Sleep

Sleep has been central to SOXAI’s product development. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare cites a 2021 survey in which Japan recorded the shortest average sleep duration among the 33 countries surveyed.

Joint research with the University of Tokyo and the University of Essex has examined sleep-stage estimation using heart rate and movement data from an earlier SOXAI RING model, with findings published in an academic journal. Studies of blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurement at rest and heart rate estimation during physical activity have also been published in academic journals.

These findings relate to earlier products and related technologies; they are not test results for SOXAI RING X.

From Japan to the World

The Kickstarter campaign is SOXAI’s first step toward bringing its experience in Japanese product development and manufacturing to an international audience. Backer demand will help guide the company’s rollout, including which countries and regions to prioritize.

Kickstarter Campaign Details

Project: SOXAI RING X: World’s Smallest, Up to 10-Day Battery
Campaign period: October 2, 2026, at 8:30 p.m. through October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Japan Standard Time (UTC+9).
Project page: SOXAI RING X on Kickstarter

[1] Based on cumulative downloads of smart ring apps in Japan from January 2022 through December 2024, across the App Store and Google Play combined. Source: SOXAI research.

[2] Based on a comparison of ring widths publicly reported by major manufacturers of smart rings with vital-sign sensing capabilities. Source: SOXAI research, as of September 2026.

[3] Up to 10 days is a theoretical battery-life estimate for US ring sizes 10–13. Actual battery life varies depending on ring size, usage, product age and other factors.

SOXAI RING X is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease. Countries and regions eligible for shipping and use will be determined based on applicable wireless regulatory certifications and other requirements.

About SOXAI

SOXAI Inc. is a smart ring company based in Yokohama, Japan, led by founder and CEO Dr. Tatsuhiko Watanabe. With more than 80,000 users, SOXAI combines expertise in low-power hardware design, software and data analysis to help people better understand their sleep, activity and everyday well-being.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/soxai-ring-x-tops-us635-200-in-kickstarter-pledges-attracts-2-868-backers-in-first-72-hours-302898406.html

SOURCE SOXAI Inc.

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Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming launches to put Canadians first in a fast-changing market challenged by illegal gambling

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October 5, 2026

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New industry association will advance player health, consumer protection and evidence-based gaming policy

MONCTON, NB, Oct. 5, 2026 /CNW/ — The Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming (CARG) today announced its official launch as a national not-for-profit industry association representing members of the legal and regulated gambling industry in Canada.

Formerly the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC), the organization has evolved into the Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming to reflect the rapid transformation of Canada’s gaming landscape.

Founded by publicly owned lottery and gaming organizations that return all profits to their provinces to help fund critical public services, CARG provides a unified national forum for collaboration, research, public education and policy engagement on the issues shaping Canada’s gambling sector.

As gambling markets evolve, CARG will work with governments, regulators, industry stakeholders and communities to advance public-interest policies that promote player health, strengthen consumer protection and support effective legislation, regulation and enforcement. Illegal online gambling operators, increased advertising, emerging products such as prediction markets, and evolving technologies are creating new challenges for policymakers and growing risks for consumers, requiring coordinated action across jurisdictions.

“The Alliance was created in recognition of the increasingly complex and national nature of many industry-related issues and the importance of ensuring there is a strong, unified voice representing legal and regulated gaming organizations,” said Molly Cormier, Executive Director of the Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming.

“Canada’s gambling landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace, while illegal and unregulated operators create growing risks for consumers and communities. Canadians must be at the centre of how we respond. By bringing together governments, regulators and industry leaders, we can help ensure the public interest continues to drive the future of gambling policy in Canada.”

As membership expands, CARG will welcome additional voices from across the legal and regulated gaming ecosystem, fostering collaboration and informed dialogue while remaining grounded in the public interest.

The organization also launched its new website today, providing stakeholders, policymakers, media and the public with access to information about CARG’s mandate, policy positions and ongoing work.

To learn more, visit www.carg-ajcr.ca.

About the Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming

The Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming (CARG) is a national not-for-profit industry association representing legal and regulated gaming organizations across Canada. Formerly the Canadian Lottery Coalition (CLC), CARG provides a forum for collaboration, policy development, public awareness and advocacy in support of responsible, legal and publicly accountable gaming in Canada. Through research, public education and policy engagement, the Alliance advances evidence-based solutions that promote player health, strengthen consumer protection and accountability, and support a gambling sector that serves the public interest.

Media Contact

Molly Cormier
Executive Director
Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming (formerly Canadian Lottery Coalition)
executivedirector@canadianlotterycoalition.ca 
506.431.6511
carg-ajcr.ca

SOURCE Canadian Alliance for Regulated Gaming

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Bitso Processes 15% of US-Mexico Remittances

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31 minutes ago

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October 5, 2026

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From January to August 2026, roughly one in every seven dollars sent through this corridor moved through Bitso’s infrastructure.

MEXICO CITY, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bitso, Latin America’s leading digital financial services company, processed 14.7% of all remittances sent from the United States to Mexico in the first eight months of 2026, based on Banco de México (Banxico) figures. The result reflects the growth of Bitso Business, the company’s B2B payments unit.

Unlike a traditional direct-to-consumer remittance service, Bitso operates as part of the infrastructure that enables remittance companies and other financial providers to move money between the United States and Mexico. Its technology uses digital assets and stablecoins as rails to transfer value across borders and settle in local currency, reducing the friction of moving money internationally.

Remittances are one of Mexico’s main sources of foreign currency and account for about 4% of GDP. According to Banxico, Mexico received US$41.8 billion in remittances between January and August 2026, up 2.2% year over year. Of that total, 99.1% (US$41.4 billion) arrived through electronic transfers.

In 2024, Bitso estimated it was processing more than 10% of US–Mexico corridor volume through Bitso Business and the companies that use its technology for international payments.

“Close to 15% of US–Mexico remittances now run through our infrastructure. That shows digital assets are no longer a niche technology. They are becoming part of the financial infrastructure that moves money in Latin America. Most people receiving a remittance never see the technology behind it. What matters is that their money arrives faster, more efficiently and more securely,” said Felipe Vallejo, CEO of Bitso Mexico.

About Bitso

Bitso is Latin America’s leading digital financial services group, serving more than 10 million users and over 2,000 institutional clients through a regulated financial infrastructure built for the digital economy.
Through its ecosystem of specialized companies, including Nvío, Nvierte, and Juno, Bitso provides consumers with access to digital assets, equities, and investment products, while enabling businesses and financial institutions to process local and cross-border payments at scale.
Founded in 2014, Bitso operates across North, Central, and South America and Europe.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bitso-processes-15-of-usmexico-remittances-302897489.html

SOURCE Bitso

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