Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association (FHTA) wants Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) to regulate the Airbnb market.

While FRCS said it will respond at a later date, FHTA chief executive officer Fantasha Lockington said the Airbnb market has become a concern for the tourism industry because it was not regulated.

She told a media workshop run by the association: “It’s good to have more beds and accommodation available for an increasing tourism market but it is not regulated – meaning there is no occupational health and safety requirements, there is no cleanliness requirement, there is no safety requirement, there’s just no requirement, and they do not pay the taxes that the tourism industry pays.

“We have been saying to FRCS to take a look at what Australia and New Zealand are doing.

“What New Zealand does, whichever municipalities the Airbnb is in, the council would tell them that they are in a residential area running a commercial business, therefore they must pay for commercial rates”

Mrs Lockington said regulations was good because it keeps people and tourists safe.

“What is FRCS doing about the Airbnb people, how come they are not regulated?

“What if someone falls down and cracks their head in the swimming pool, what are you going to do?

“Regulations are good because it keeps people safe and businesses safe,” she added.

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