State’s $90m boost from Airbnb

Tasmanian businesses have been lining their pockets with money spent by Airbnb guests.

Airbnb operator Debra Martin at her property at Mount Nelson. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TASMANIAN businesses have been lining their pockets with money spent by Airbnb guests.

About 450,000 nights’ accommodation contributed $90 million to the state’s economy last financial year, according to University of Tasmania research.

The homesharing giant is keen to shift the short-stay debate from accommodation to the downstream benefits the company and hosts provide.

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand head of public policy Brent Thomas said 55 cents in every Airbnb guest dollar was spent in local businesses on food, groceries and shopping.

He said in 2015-16 Deloitte Access Economics found Airbnb guests spent more than $86 million at Tasmanian businesses.

“Airbnb guests spend more on food each day than they do accommodation,” Mr Thomas said. “Traditional trickle-down tourism only benefits the big end of town and the CBD.

“In stark contrast, Airbnb spreads the benefits of tourism to the people and places off the beaten tourist track.”

Restaurant and Catering Association chief executive Juliana Payne said having a variety of accommodation options outside major centres, such as those provided by Airbnb, gave hidden gems a bigger slice of the tourism pie.

Airbnb Australia and New Zealand head of public policy Brent Thomas said 55 cents in every Airbnb guest dollar was spent in local businesses on food, groceries and shopping. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Andrews

“Quality dining options in Tasmania are, of course, not just limited to major capital cities like Hobart,” she said.

“We’d like to ensure that as many tourists as possible are able to enjoy the many culinary experiences on offer.”

UTAS Institute for the Study of Social Change director Professor Richard Eccleston said Airbnb did offer benefits to communities and the state’s economy but more regulation was required to better balance short-stay accommodation and housing needs of Tasmanians.

“Given the shortages of hotel accommodation, platforms that allow homes to be used by visitors have allowed more tourists to visit Tasmania and have been especially important in providing a greater range of accommodation options in regional Tasmania,” he said.

But he said the rapid growth of Airbnb in inner Hobart had contributed to the city’s rental crisis.

“By our conservative calculations between 400 and 450 residential homes have been converted into short-stay accommodation in the Hobart local government area over the past two years, representing about 6 per cent of the private rental stock.”

Mount Nelson host Debra Martin said she would meet with guests or write them a list of things to do or places to visit.

“You’re a little bit of an ambassador,” she said. “I like that feeling of helping guests enjoy Tassie and focus on giving them a five-star experience.”

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