Editor:
I write this letter on behalf of Sunshine Coast Tourism (SCT) in response to the Coast Reporter article “Directors eye options for regulating Airbnb and other short-term rentals” by Sean Eckford published on Feb. 13.
Some members of SCT (and constituents of the SCRD) have sent correspondence to us with concerns about the article’s suggestion that “SCRD staff found more than 1,200 vacancies for the Feb. 24 to 28 period … when they searched listings at VRBO, Airbnb and two other online booking sites.”
SCT believes this statement is misleading and exaggerates the perceived negative effects that Airbnb and other online booking sites are having upon the long-term rental stock in our communities. This is clearly not the case as there are not that many short-term vacation rentals available on the South Coast. There is also a great deal of duplicate listings of the same properties on each of these sites that make up the 1,200 figure, including many legally registered B&Bs that also list their accommodations on these sites to increase their promotional reach to consumers.
When SCRD staff approached SCT for information regarding accommodations figures for their report, we told them: “In terms of small accommodations – on the South Coast (Port Mellon to Earls Cove/Egmont) – we estimate there to be approximately 350 small accommodations [and] only 100 of those are what could be called traditional bed and breakfasts. The rest are vacation rentals, cottages, or some sort of in between.”
As the official destination organization of the Sunshine Coast, we want to acknowledge and support the private accommodation industry, provided they meet the zoning and registration requirements of their jurisdiction. These businesses make a valuable contribution to the regional tourism industry and to our local economy.
Short-term vacation rentals and home-based business regulations in general are a complex issue, as each of our local governments is responsible for creating its own bylaws to regulate in their respective areas. They are also responsible for the high costs of enforcement.
SCT recommends that all nightly room rentals should be registered businesses with their respective community/regional district, and that those businesses should collect and remit the appropriate taxes. SCT also supports the removal of the current exemption of small accommodations (three rooms or less) from collecting the two per cent municipal and regional district tax so that all accommodations that participate and benefit from the visitor economy are engaging on a level playing field.
Paul Kamon, executive director, Sunshine Coast Tourism
