Image Source : Sky News
The hotel lobby in Malta has raised concerns about the proliferation of unlicensed Airbnb rentals in the country, with a staggering almost half of all private holiday rentals operating without the required licence. This revelation has sparked a heated debate about the need for greater regulation of the short-term rental market, which has grown exponentially in recent years.
According to the hotel lobby, stays in private holiday rentals now account for just under a third of all guest nights in Malta. This significant share of the market has led to concerns about the impact of unregulated rentals on the traditional hotel industry, as well as on the country’s housing market and community.
The lack of licensing among Airbnb rentals is a major concern, as it suggests that many of these properties may not be meeting basic safety and quality standards. Furthermore, the absence of regulation makes it difficult for authorities to track and monitor the activities of these rentals, which can lead to issues such as tax evasion and exploitation of vulnerable tenants.
The hotel lobby’s concerns about unlicensed Airbnb rentals are not unique to Malta, as many countries around the world are grappling with similar issues. However, the scale of the problem in Malta is particularly noteworthy, and it highlights the need for urgent action to address the lack of regulation in the short-term rental market.
