### Airbnb Fails to Meet Established Quality Standards
August 5, 2024
Luis Alberto Tito, Director of Development for LATAM at Best Western Hotels, has raised concerns about properties listed on Airbnb, stating that they do not meet the same safety standards as traditional hotels. According to Tito, property owners can list their accommodations on Airbnb with little more than a simple registration, which poses significant issues in terms of safety and hygiene standards required by the hotel industry.
“Regulation needs to be instituted for Airbnb, which significantly differs from hotel operations. The primary differentiator is the lack of absolute security and hygiene standards,” Tito remarked.
In places like New York and Manhattan, regulatory measures are being implemented, including the prohibition of short-term rentals. Meanwhile, Tijuana lags in regulating accommodations offered through platforms like Airbnb, according to the local chapter of the Mexican Association of Hotels and Motels (AMHM).
Dolores Pérez Islas provided a different perspective, stating that while Airbnb has pressured hotel owners to invest in higher-end services, it has also improved the travel experience for many users. “This investment by property owners who trusted the platform has provided a unique offering to the end customer,” she said. Pérez Islas also highlighted that the hospitality industry used to focus on boutique, executive, and business tourism strategies, but Airbnb introduced the compelling concept of staying in someone else’s home, creating a tremor in the hotel industry that will last for years.
### Secondary Article: Global Reactions to Airbnb Regulations
As discussions about Airbnb regulations unfold in Tijuana, other cities around the world are also grappling with the platform’s implications.
In New York, recent legislation has imposed stricter regulations. As of January 2024, property owners can no longer list their apartments for short-term rentals unless they meet stringent requirements. This move aims to tackle issues around housing availability and tenant protections.
In Europe, cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam have enforced laws to control the number of short-term rental properties, requiring hosts to register their listings and comply with local housing laws. Barcelona, in particular, has fined Airbnb for non-compliance and removed unregistered listings.
In Asia, Tokyo implemented regulations in 2018 that capped the number of days a property could be rented out per year at 180 days. Airbnb hosts are also required to obtain a license and display their registration number prominently.
Meanwhile, Airbnb itself has taken steps to enhance security and quality standards. They launched a “Guest Guarantee” and a more comprehensive vetting process for hosts, although critics argue that these measures still fall short of the rigorous standards upheld by traditional hotels.
As the debate continues, it is clear that cities worldwide are moving towards a more regulated and standardized approach to short-term rentals. The goal is to balance the benefits of these innovative platforms with the protection of residents and maintenance of quality standards.
For more updates on local and global accommodation trends, stay tuned to TJGringo.com.