It isn’t news that Airbnb has been getting some bad press from locals in countries where the service is booming.

Cape Town is one of the cities where Airbnb does extremely well, but opinion is also divided between those who prosper from it and those who claim it’s affecting their lives and businesses.

Back in 2017, the City of Cape Town pledged to take steps to regulate Airbnb in the hopes that the rental market, and local accommodation businesses such as B&Bs, would prosper.

Then last month the service came under fire again for its rapid growth, and for taking away business from established players in the accommodation sector.

Now, major entities in the hospitality industry in South Africa have called for government to step in and regulate Airbnb once again, reports The Citizen.

Airbnb has seen impressive growth in South Africa, and local hotels are concerned that the unregistered accommodation establishments listed on the platform are taking away business from established bed-and-breakfasts and hotels, reports George Herald.

The Federated Hospitality Association of SA (Fedhasa) called for government to crack down on Airbnb, and smaller organisations have echoed this call.

Not everyone is on board with the move to regulate.

Minister of Economic Opportunities Beverley Schäfer is strongly opposed to plans by the national government to regulate short-term home rental platforms like Airbnb.

The draft Tourism Amendment Bill, currently out for public comment, includes a definition of short-term home rental accommodation so as to place “thresholds” on their offering.

The Western Cape Government will be making submissions to oppose any regulations which could impact tourism revenue and affect people’s private property rights. She said over two million people have made use of Airbnb alone in this country, and if regulations make it more difficult for travellers to access this kind of accommodation, they will simply vote with their wallets and go elsewhere.

Always good to have the government on your side, although this battle is far from over.

Airbnb claims that they contributed R8,7 billion to the national economy between June 2017 and May 2018, creating jobs and opportunities for 22 000 people in South Africa.

The service is also creating a number of opportunities for local business to participate in the service, including “experiences” packages which allow local entrepreneurs to offer unique tourism products to travellers and earn an income.

The debate is ongoing.

We’ll keep you updated.

[source:citizen]