Thursday, 8 August 2019 - TAA National CEO Michael Johnson said the reforms showed the Tasmanian Government’s understanding of the need to address unregulated short-stay accommodation.

“The new Tasmanian legislation is arguably the strongest reform we have seen in Australia to date,” he said.

“It will implement a mandatory registration system which requires planning approval and for Airbnb to only market and sell permitted, registered and approved short-stay accommodation. In recent years, jurisdictions around the world have moved to strengthen regulations for short-stay accommodation providers and platforms such as Airbnb - finally we are seeing effective measures being adopted here in Australia," he continued.

“Tasmania has first-hand experience of how unregulated short-stay accommodation negatively impacts housing affordability, community amenity and undermines the licensed accommodation sector, so their reforms have been crafted with this experience in mind.”

Mr Johnson congratulated the State Liberal Government for its considered approach to this important issue, as well as the Tasmanian Hospitality Association for its hard work.

“I want to congratulate the THA/TAA in Tasmania, especially CEO Steve Old, for their hard work on behalf of our industry,” he said.

“This result shows the strength of the TAA family right across Australia – it shows what we can achieve. The State Government has realised hotels, motels and other licensed accommodation businesses in Tasmania support thousands of jobs, however, the proliferation of unregulated short-stay accommodation properties has put these employment opportunities at risk."

“The State Government has listened to our concerns and gone back to the drawing board to strengthen the compliance measures in relation to data sharing, planning permits and reporting requirements – we will be watching closely to see if platforms adhere to their legal requirements.”

The new Tasmanian regulatory model is a benchmark for other states and territories to recognise that licensed, job creating industries like the hotel sector cannot be expected to compete with unregulated competitors not burdened with the same cost and compliance requirements.

Click to contact Tourism Accommodation Australia

See also: 

Michael Johnson commences new role as Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO

Antony Page new Chair of TAA NSW

Hotel energy bills to decrease with new TAA NSW deal