Pressure mounts for Airbnb to be regulated in SA
THE Airbnb industry has come under fire after calls from various tourism sectors to have them regulated have intensified.
The Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) has called on the government to regulate Airbnb because it is threatening the viability of conventional lodging providers such as hotels, and could lead to job losses.
“Various other organisations in our industry have called for the same thing,” said TBCSA chief executive officer Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa
“What we need to make clear is that this is not about the technology, but if we are going to allow people to advertise their homes and play in this field, we are going to have to follow some sort of guidelines,”
“The question is, how do you continue to afford your businesses when we have unregulated Airbnbs making money, making it no longer viable for hotels or lodges to continue, which leads to cost-cutting?”
Airbnb has become the fastest-growing online platform in the world since it launched in 2009.
It’s an online portal which allows people to rent out their properties or spare guest rooms. The online platform takes a 3% commission for every booking from the host and between 6% and 12% from its guests.
Federated Hospitality Association
of SA chairperson Jeff Rosenberg said: “In other words, current and existing regulations that are applicable to the hospitality sector should also apply to Airbnb. This would include rates and taxes, third party insurance cover and hygiene audits.
“Therefore, we are working with the advisers to the minister of Tourism in order to amend the Tourism Act to enable the minister to impose the relevant regulations. This would hopefully be completed by the end of 2018.”
Velma Corcoran, Airbnb Country Manager, SA, said: “At Airbnb our community model of healthy tourism is based on advancing the interests of all the stakeholders.
“Our data shows how Airbnb’s community model creates healthy tourism by benefiting the hosts, the guests who are seeking authentic cultural experiences and the local residents, whose economies are supported.”