Tasmanian Airbnb hosts rally against any plan to cap non-permit period

MORE than 120 Tasmanian Airbnb hosts have turned out in Hobart to protest against proposed new planning laws to place a 42-day cap on the non-permit period for listings.

Airbnb hosts meeting in Hobart last night. Picture: SUPPLIED

MORE than 120 Tasmanian Airbnb hosts have turned out in Hobart to protest against proposed new planning laws to place a 42-day cap on the non-permit period for listings.

Former Tasmanian health minister Peter McKay — who is now an Airbnb host — told the group the Tasmanian Government should follow the lead of South Australia and remove the proposed caps.

“Airbnb is one way the Tassie community can share in the tourism industry,” Mr McKay said at the event last night.

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Brent Thomas, Airbnb’s head of public policy for Australia and New Zealand, said Airbnb guests in Australia spent about $1800 over the course of their trip compared with a traditional tourist, who spent about $1000 on average.

“That’s good news for the local economy, local businesses, shops, and cafes,’’ Mr Thomas said.

Recent Galaxy polling shows that nearly 70 per cent of Tasmanians think that Airbnb helps brings tourists to areas that would not otherwise benefit from tourism.

Lenah Valley Airbnb host Merrydith Callegari told the group that “if all Airbnb hosts do a little bit, we can save Airbnb in Tasmania”.

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