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Hoteliers in Bristol have welcomed the passing of a motion demanding local powers to regulate companies such as Airbnb amid the “threats they pose to other businesses.”
The motion, which was introduced by Labour cabinet member Nicola Beech, was backed by Green and Liberal Democrat councillors.
The Bristol Hoteliers Association (BHA) has said “many hospitality businesses have reported seeing its trade suffer” since Airbnb launched, as Bristol is reported to have the highest density of Airbnb properties in the UK outside of London.
BHA has also claimed that the likes of Deliveroo and Uber, among others, are also having a disruptive impact on the city’s economy as a whole, affecting food, beverage and taxi businesses as well as hotels, with smaller guest houses being unable to cut their prices in order to compete.
Councillors have claimed: “Airbnb also has an impact on housing, pricing ordinary families out and leaving perfectly good premises empty for long periods despite there being 12,000 people on the housing waiting list, hundreds in temporary accommodation, and many more being forced to rent.”
Raphael Herzog, acting chair of the BHA, said: “Airbnb operators have been having a detrimental impact on Bristol’s hospitality sector for some time now because accommodation has been made available on an uneven playing field.
“BHA members all pay business rates and VAT: Airbnb hosts do not. They are also not required to comply with strict health and safety regulations, fire assessments, and other elements that we have to comply with.”
He added: “The BHA has, for some time, been calling on the powers that be in Bristol to consider strategies that will help lessen the impact of businesses like Airbnb, and similar businesses, and we welcome the cross-party support for this motion.
“It’s a reassuring recognition of the significant contribution that hoteliers, restaurant owners and other such businesses make to the local economy.”
Hotel Owner has contacted Airbnb for comment.
