Govt to table legislation to regulate Airbnb

GEORGE TOWN: The government will table legislation in Parliament soon to regulate Airbnb and other home-sharing rental platforms following widespread complaints about it, said Tourism Malaysia directorgeneral Datuk Musa Yusof.

“We have a firm objective to regulate it,” Musa said after a town hall session with Penang travel trade stakeholders on plans to address the effects of the novel coronavirus on tourism.

“Among the recommendations are to only allow the concept to be activated in areas where there are limited registered hotels and to ensure that such services come under the direct purview of the local authorities,” he said.

Musa said Tourism Malaysia understands the complaints of hoteliers as the concept is unregulated and many joint-management committees of condominiums are also unhappy about it.

Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Penang chapter chairman Khoo Boo Lim said hoteliers are already suffering before the coronavirus hit the industry and the presence of Airbnb did not help matters.

All recommendations from travel trade organisations on how to combat the impact of the virus would be taken into consideration when the Finance

Ministry unveils an economic stimulus package later this month, Musa said.

Tourism, Culture and Arts Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Noor Zari Hamat urged travel trade members to explore new markets and to boost domestic tourism.

The next few weeks are crucial in how the virus can impact tourism, especially with the ongoing Experience Penang Year 2020 campaign, Penang Global Tourism chief executive officer Ooi Chok Yan said.

“We hope that we can reverse the downslide by the third quarter of this year.”

Musa suggested that the Visit Malaysia Year 2020 campaign be extended until middle of next year to offset the loss of revenue due to cancellations by tourists.

In a statement, a spokesman for Airbnb services in Malaysia said it is inappropriate for MAH to exploit a global health emergency to further their commercial interests and agenda.

“The statement by MAH runs contrary to the official guidance of local authorities and the World Health Organisation.

“These are inflammatory and alarmist claims which could create senseless anxiety and damage the tourism industry.

“The travel industry is responsible for adhering to health and safety protocols from the local and international authorities.”