Airbnb remains a work in progress as visitor numbers continue to rise

AN accommodation expert says the State Government is “coming to terms” with the sharing economy, with indications it is willing to reconsider the Airbnb threshold.

Robert Devine is the owner of Boutique Accommodation Tasmania, a company that manages Airbnb properties. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

AN accommodation expert says the State Government is “coming to terms” with the sharing economy in light of revelations that it was willing to reconsider the Airbnb threshold.

Premier Will Hodgman has since distanced himself from an earlier statement his government would push the threshold out from 42 nights a year to more than 100.

However, Robert Devine – owner of Boutique Accommodation Tasmania, a private accommodation management company with 20 Airbnb properties – said it was “nice to see the government coming to terms” with providers Airbnb and Stayz.com.

“On the one hand we are having this incredible boost to tourism and the amount of expenditure from tourism is skyrocketing and on the other we have a government trying to dictate how and where people choose to stay in Tasmania,” Mr Devine said.

MORE: SHIFTING SANDS OF SHARING ECONOMY

MORE: BIG JUMP IN NIGHTS FOR AIRBNB HOMES

The Tasmanian Planning Commission will release draft State Planning Provisions at the end of the year, which contain accommodation proposals relating to the industry.

Senior executives from Airbnb flew into Hobart in July to appear before the commission in a bid to have accommodation proposals dropped from the draft State Planning Provisions.

They argued a cap would decimate the state’s tourism industry and stop people renting out rooms, holiday houses and apartments.

Tasmanian Hospitality Association chief Steve Old hit back, saying the unregulated industry was not fair on those working in hospitality.

Mr Old said the proposed 42 nights was an exemption, which meant a person running a business was exempt from planning red tape.

Airbnb says 118,000 of 1.8 million tourists who stayed in Tasmania last year stayed in Airbnb accommodation.

Mr Devine, who has a 30-year background in international, five-star accommodation and has managed private accommodation properties for investors for the past three years, said Airbnb was a huge global market, which suited “a certain clientele – people who want to share a house”.

“People can book a room anywhere in the world on sites like Booking.com so why is this all being directed at Airbnb and Stayz.com?”

Mr Devine’s business is externally audited and he lodges quarterly tax statements – he says when money is involved in accommodation it becomes a business and there has to be some regulation on fire safety and occupational health and safety.

“There are two sides to this story but we are here to boost tourism.”

Latest employment figures show that 15.7 per cent of total employment in Tasmania is related to tourism.

Originally published as Airbnb remains a work in progress as visitor numbers continue to rise