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Operators push back against Airbnb claims on housing crisis

Warren HatelyAugusta Margaret River Times
Rob McDonald has hit back against Airbnb's claims.
Camera IconRob McDonald has hit back against Airbnb's claims. Credit: Warren Hately/Augusta-Margaret R/Augusta-Margaret River Times

Accommodation providers have hit back against last month’s Times report in which the head of Airbnb’s Australian operations denied the short-stay platform contributed to the housing crisis.

Airbnb’s Susan Wheeldon said restricting short stays was not the solution to the State’s housing shortfall and said her clients made up only a small part of the market.

The pushback comes as the Australian Financial Review reported prices for short stays were trending down as seasonal variation hit operators in what was now an oversaturated market.

While the news gave some hope the allure for listing vacant homes on Airbnb and similar platforms might make way for the rental market, ex-Registered Accommodation Providers Margaret River Region member Rob McDonald told the Times a worldwide trend cracking down on Airbnb showed it was a major factor in the housing crisis.

“Overtourism is an emerging issue that is causing community reaction and pushback against tourism operators and tourists worldwide and we see some discussion starting in our own region,” he said.

“Overtourism happens when the number of tourists or the management of the tourism industry in a destination or attraction becomes unsustainable.

“When there are too many visitors, the quality of life for the local community can diminish, the surrounding natural environment can be negatively affected and the quality of the tourists’ experience can decline.

“Holiday homes have and should always be part of the holiday accommodation offering in our region. It’s all about sustainability and ensuring tourism host communities are the first priority.”

Margaret River-Busselton Tourism Association chief Sharna Kearney said the local government’s approach to the sector considered many of the concerns put forward by Mr McDonald.

“Holiday homes require regulation to ensure that impacts on our community are managed, visitors have a high-quality experience and that competition with traditional accommodation providers is fair,” she said.

Shire policies restricting where holiday homes could operate helped manage the industry and the State Government’s creation of a WA register for short stay providers had been largely welcomed.

“Of course, regulation must be backed up by compliance and the introduction of the Statewide registration scheme will further support our local government’s efforts to ensure holiday homes are operating legally,” Ms Kearney said.

Augusta-Margaret River Shire president Julia Meldrum said the team had been “actively managing” short-term accommodation for decades, with “some of . . . WA’s strictest rules” on the number of holiday homes and where they can operate.

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