The University of Sydney Page 1

Online Short-term holiday rental platforms – Forum report

Professor Nicole Gurran

The University of Sydney Page 2

Forum

– OSTHRs issues and potential responses – Preliminary findings, research project on planning

responses to online holiday rentals – Presentations by councils – Overview of state and local responses– Industry & stakeholder panel– Local government workshop

The University of Sydney Page 3

Online Short Term Holiday Rentals (OSTHRs) are different because…

– Increased demand facilitated through online global platforms

– Ease of supply, facilitated through platform– New types of residential tourism accommodation, and

new types of operators– Tourism in new locations

The University of Sydney Page 4

Case study communities all experiencing growth in online holiday rental listings

Source: Gurran & Zhang 2018, preliminary analysis based on Inside Airbnb data

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But the impacts differSome councils report Others say

Growing complaints about noise, waste management, anti-social behaviour, dogs, parking, security concerns

Very few complaints

Growing shortage of permanent rental housing, as homes are converted to tourismEmployers struggle when tourism staff can’t rent a permanent home

Holiday homes primarily a different sector of the local / regional housing system and market

Declining investment in traditional tourism accommodation

Traditional tourism sector continuing to grow

Absent hosts or “cowboy” operators, disconnected from wider local tourism network

Model “hosts” who educate guests about neighbourliness and local visitor experiences

Holiday rentals operating in unauthorised buildings / structures

Registration system checks minimum health and safety standards, for operators who comply

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For some communities, OSTHRs are only a small proportion of tourist accommodation, but in others they are the main offering

Source: Gurran & Zhang 2018, preliminary analysis based on Inside Airbnb data and STA data

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(Current) planning and related responses to OSTHRs

– Planning responses differ– Permissibility– Need & criteria for permission

– Registration systems not widespread– Minimum standards check– Revenue stream for local councils / destination marketing

– Host / tourism sector / visitor education and information strategy (eg. waste collection, good neighbour policy, visitor experiences)

– Compliance and enforcement very difficult without cooperation from platforms

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Summary and conclusions

– Impacts of OSTHRs vary, reflecting:– Existing tourist accommodation / holiday homes– Trends in permanent population– Type of community / housing– Local planning & management framework for residential tourism– Local / wider housing market

– Need to improve state / local planning responses– Definitions and permissibility– Approval processes and conditions– Local registration & income– Compliance and enforcement– Host education + cooperation of platforms?– Integrate within tourism strategy

– Next step in research project is report & local guidance checklist