TALKING POINT: How short-stay accommodation can help recover Tasmania’s economy

Hard-working short-stay accommodation providers understand how important the sector is to Tasmania’s COVID-19 economic recovery, writes Derek Nolan.

• E coli contaminates popular holiday attraction
• Alert issued for high-risk NSW locations

AFTER a challenging year for all Tasmanians, the sun is brightly shining and local businesses are making hay as both interstate travellers and locals make the most of summer and spend valuable tourism dollars throughout the state.

There’s never been a more critical time to stay focused on the need to grow tourism for the benefit of all Tasmanians.

That’s why it’s especially important to avoid having these crucial recovery efforts derailed. There was some discussion in recent weeks about rental affordability and kneejerk proposals for red tape built on speculation rather than accurate information.

Alex Nielsen and Liz Walsh Owners and creators of the renowned ‘The Barn’ Goulbourne St, Hobart Airbnb. PICTURE: EDDIE SAFARIK

The fact is that Tasmania actually has robust and reliable data that has been painstakingly collected as part of official compliance processes.

The latest official government data shows short-stay accommodation listings that are non-primary homes with planning permits represent less than one per cent of the housing market in greater Hobart.

It’s implausible this tiny fraction could be linked to any major change in overall rental affordability.

The bottom line is that housing affordability is an extremely complex issue with a myriad of contributing factors, including student numbers, population boom and supply growth.

We believe the Tasmanian government’s sensible laws are doing what they are designed to do – which is to ensure compliance with local short-stay planning rules and provide reliable and accurate data.

At the same time, local Tasmanian hosts on Airbnb are proud to be doing their part to help drive tourism recovery – particularly those in regional areas.

For many, their welcome mats were put to good use earlier this year when they also played a significant role in keeping intrastate tourism moving, including through the government’s Make Yourself At Home voucher scheme.

And these hosts aren’t planning to pack away those welcome mats any time soon.

They understand how important it is to keep their sleeves rolled up so they can continue supporting the Tasmanian government’s commendable efforts to foster economic recovery.

Indeed, an Airbnb-commissioned report by Oxford Economics this year found that guests welcomed by hosts on Airbnb spent more than $364 million in Tasmania in 2019, and supported 3200 jobs across the state that same year.

For the better part of 2020, mainlanders were counting down the days until they could be reunited with Tasmania’s world-renowned natural beauty and first-class food and beverage scene.

With the festive season fast approaching, many will be busy packing their bags and getting ready to reacquaint themselves with the Apple Isle’s many wonders.

And they’ll be very warmly welcomed by Tassie business owners.

Tassie hosts on Airbnb remain very much focused on attracting tourists to their region and pointing them to local cafes, restaurants, pubs, shops and other businesses in their community. These hosts are proud advocates of their regions and care deeply about doing what they can to support local jobs.

They also take great pride in offering unique, authentic experiences that showcase what makes Tasmania such a special part of the world and ensure travellers go home and spread the word. Local hosts on Airbnb will be spending this summer working hard to help drive tourism recovery and making sure visitors keep returning to the Apple Isle for years to come.

Derek Nolan is Airbnb’s head of public policy for Australia.