Short-term rental site Airbnb has proposed a spate of measures to tackle Australia’s rental crisis, but it could cost holiday-makers more.
Aussies could be slugged with a new, additional “holiday” tax to stay in Airbnb properties as the short-stay giant dismisses claims they’re to blame for the nation’s rental property shortage.
A “tourism levy” is one of several regulations proposed by the online accommodation marketplace to help ease pressure on the rental market, which will see Airbnb guests paying a small fee each night of their stay to go towards funding social housing and community projects.
Similar taxes already exist overseas in Barcelona, Valencia and Bali where a small payment is added to a guest’s bill at certain tourism hotspots each night, with proceeds put aside for affordable housing and infrastructure development.