Getting the balance right with the sharing economy

Tasmania’s peak tourism industry organisation said the Tasmanian Government was getting the balance right in opening Tasmanian business and industry to the exciting opportunities emerging from the sharing economy, while respecting the need for consumer protection and quality visitor outcomes.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO, Luke Martin, welcome the release today of the Tasmanian Government’s guiding principles for the sharing economy.

‘This is a really tricky issue for industry and government, but sticking our collective heads in the sand is no longer an option,’ Mr Martin said.

‘Some of our operators will have concerns about what the principles announced today ultimately mean for their business and the industry, and we’ll work closely and constructively with the government in representing the industry’s interests.’

‘The fact is very many of the Tasmanian accommodation operators listed on AirBnB today are 100% legitimate, accredited and fantastic tourism businesses, and AirBnB is a cost effective and popular way for these operators to sell their product.”

‘The challenge that comes with this is that AirBnb and similar service have opened the door for other products that are not legitimate and are now competing openly in the same market, which is unfair, and poses a real risk to the industry, consumers and property owners.’

‘We need to work through regulatory changes and the planning system to legitimise as many of these products as we can, while maintaining a basic standard of what constitutes a reasonable level of consumer protection in the accommodation market.’

‘We also need to celebrate and promote quality in Tasmanian tourism, and we are proud of the fact Tasmania has the highest rate of voluntary industry accreditation in the Australian tourism industry.’
‘Essentially this philosophy underpins the government’s proposed principles, and we welcome the approach.

Tasmania’s Tourism Industry – World Class, Sustainable, Job Creating…and we’re only getting started:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=266JhZdrQGg
Luke Martin