Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Tourism and Innovation spokesperson
The Premier’s backflip on the length of stays Airbnb hosts are able to offer is welcome news to the many operators and visitors to Tasmania.
The 42 day limit, which has now been adjusted to 100 days, imposed an unrealistic and unnecessary regulatory burden on small operators.
These regulations would have put the livelihood of many Tasmanians in jeopardy. For example, retirees who have invested their superannuation in Airbnb properties.
The limit also did not take into consideration the shortfall in accommodation in some areas in Tasmania or the preference of some people to use home stays over traditional hotel offerings.
The sharing economy is here to stay.
Travel habits have changed dramatically over the last two decades. People now value experiences as well as sightseeing, and Airbnb, as well as other platforms from the sharing economy, suit those changes.