DOT to regulate Airbnb to ensure tourist security

While the Department of Tourism (DOT) has yet to release guidelines on the standardization of Airbnb hospitality service, the agency continues to hold trainings for homestay hosting program.

DOT-7 regional director Joshur Judd Lanete II said that ongoing trainings for homestay accommodation concept are being held in Central Visayas, specifically in Yolanda-hit communities.

Already, DOT has announced that it is moving to regulate the Airbnb hospitality service, which is now gaining popularity among tourists from all over the world.

Although closely similar with homestay concept, Airbnb is treated different because of its online platform. Homestay is regarded as the tradition, and Airbnb is modern homestay.

Airbnb is an online marketplace and hospitality service, enabling people to list or rent short-term lodging including vacation rentals, apartment rentals, home-stays, hostel beds, or hotel rooms.

While this home sharing app is obviously growing in the Philippines and is in a way helping the accommodation shortage problems in popular destinations, DOT is moving towards requiring accreditation in order to protect tourists.

Reportedly, one of the major reasons why the home sharing app became so popular to tourists is largely due to the fact that the rates are cheaper than hotels.

According to reports, hundreds of thousands of guests book for short-term stays via the Airbnb platform.

Although DOT is also now working on the reviewed accreditation and rating system for hotels, the creation of standardization structure of Airbnb is a bit complicated thus DOT is still processing data and information on this new concept.

Travel specialist Alice Queblatin said that although there is a potential demand for tourists to be accommodated via homestay program, especially in far-flung destinations with no accommodation facilities, proper standardization from the DOT is needed.

One of the problems being spotted in the Airbnb accommodation is the all-in-one service offered by hosts or home owners, threatening the legitimate businesses of tour guides, tour operators, among others.

Safety is also part of the risks to be faced by tourists who opt to book via Airbnb, or non-accredited homestay hosts.