Latest news with #AirBnbs
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Huge blow to holidaymakers as major restrictions could hit popular Scots tourist spot
They already have the measure in one area LETS IT GO Huge blow to holidaymakers as major restrictions could hit popular Scots tourist spot Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HOLIDAYMAKERS could be hit by new restrictions targeting a popular tourist spot. Councillors could introduce plans to bring in new curbs AirBnb-style lets across the entire Scottish Highlands. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Councillors have called for a short term let control zone across the Highlands Credit: Alamy 3 They want extra regulations on AirBnb style rentals Credit: Alamy Highland councillors have proposed the short-term let control zone over a shortage of homes for locals. It comes as 7,011 short-term rentals were given the green light across the Highlands, with only four being refused. A control zone would require people wanting to run an AirBnb-style let to have a licence or planning permission. The plan could impact the hundreds of thousands of tourists who visit the Highlands every year. Edinburgh's entire council area became Scotland's first control zone in 2022 to combat the flood of holiday rentals pricing out locals amid a nationwide housing crisis. The Highlands has had a control zone in Badenoch and Strathspey since March 2024. Highlands council recently heard how 24,000 homes will be needed over the next decade. Inverness councillors Michael Gregson and Duncan Macpherson are suggesting the council-wide control zone to protect locals. They said: "The private long-term rental market has shrunk disastrously: estate agents are withdrawing from letting out properties because of the shortage of properties available. We rented our home to family on Airbnb…but 500 feral teens TRASHED it after party "Even taking into account the efforts of Highland Council and the housing associations, there is a shortage of affordable housing." The councillors called on SNP ministers to change existing laws and introduce an "overprovision policy" to prevent AirBnbs taking over communities. But they said if that fails then the Highland-wide control zone should be brought in. Council officials responded saying both plans could end up causing more financial and legal work for staff. They also added a council-wide zone would need to be researched. They added it could also lead to extra workload and costs for the planning department.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Crafting rules for vacation rentals hasn't been easy for Waynesville planning board
Mar. 24—The idea of banning new vacation rentals in certain Waynesville neighborhoods appears to have fizzled out. A surge in homes being converted to vacation rentals and the associated problems that come with that prompted Waynesville last year to consider whether it's time to rein them in. The Waynesville planning board has been studying and debating the issue for 18 months. The latest draft of a short-term rental policy presented to the town's planning board Monday night would allow vacation rentals in all residential zoning districts. The policy would, however, impose rules on vacation rentals — like parking regulations, proper trash disposal and posting the property owner's phone number outside so the town can contact them if issues arise. Waynesville Development Services Director Elizabeth Teague acknowledged it's a shift from initial discussions that would have taken a harder line on whether vacation rentals were appropriate in all neighborhoods. "We have moved from that discussion to just allow them across the board where residential uses are allowed," Teague told the planning board. "It's just a draft." The draft proposal also classifies the definitions of vacation rentals — a homestay where the property owner lives on property and short-term vacation rentals where the property owner isn't present. The planning board took no official action on the draft proposal after one board member indicated that more time was needed to further study the proposal. The board will review the draft proposal again at its April meeting. The next step would be holding a public hearing to seek citizen input. That public hearing would likely be in May. Town council would then have to sign off on the proposal. Local landlords vs. corporate holders Teague said crafting new rules governing STRs was not an easy process. "We have gone back and forth on the short-term rental ordinance," Teague said. Despite aggravations of STRs, the planning board wanted to preserve the ability for a local homeowner to make extra money. But planning board member John Baus doesn't like it when big companies buy up houses for the sole intent of converting them to fleets of AirBnbs. "The idea behind this was we didn't want to inconvenience any of our town residents who want to do this with their property. But we certainly didn't want to make it as convenient for (big companies) to come in and buy up a bunch of houses and have them unaccountable," Baus said. The growth in vacation rentals has been blamed for depleting the inventory of affordable housing and the erosion of neighborhoods. In some cases, vacation rentals bring a host of problems for neighbors, from noise to parking to excessive trash. That is what prompted the town to take a hard look at STRs. Baus said he wanted more time to digest the proposal before the board seeks public input. "We have a few other options to discuss," Baus said, citing researching on STR regulations elsewhere. "I was going to suggest a couple of additions to the board." Town planning officials were quick to point out that property owners of existing vacation rentals would be grandfathered in, meaning they would not be subject to the new rules. A short-term rental would continue to be grandfathered in even if the current owner sold the property to a new owner who intended to maintain it as a vacation rental. On-site vs. off-site Under the proposed changes, property owners who live on the same property as the rental would be exempt from the rules — based on two different classifications. "The idea here was to distinguish between people who live in Waynesville and wanted to rent their garage apartment versus people who buy a house and just use it as an STR," Teague said. One would be a homestay, which would be the rental of a room or rooms in a dwelling where a permanent resident resides. The permanent resident would be present in the home during the time of the homestay. It could also apply to an accessory unit on the same property. The second type of vacation rental classification would be a short-term vacation rental, which is commonly associated with Airbnb, Vacation Rentals by Owner (Vrbo) and other similar platforms. The draft proposal would add several regulations associated with STRs, but not homestays. Both have to comply with state occupancy tax regulations and town ordinances that currently apply to residential uses. An STR is defined as a rental of less than 30 days for single-family homes, townhomes, duplexes and even apartment units. New rules A short-term vacation rental would be required to have one parking space per bedroom with a minimum of two parking spaces per unit. The Downtown Business and Hazelwood Business Districts would be exempt from the minimum parking standards. Teague said one specific complaint received by the town is regarding unsightly trash and that the proposal addresses the issue. "Trash should be stored in appropriate containers and set out for collection on the proper collection day," Teague said. "The cans shall be removed from the street within 24 hours after the scheduled collection day. For units not serviced by the town, arrangements must be made for a private service to manage solid waste collection from the site, and in a way that it does not attract animals." An owner would also be required to post notification outside the unit that includes the name and telephone number of the property owner or manager, the address of the STR, the maximum of overnight guests allowed and the days of trash collection. "This is a clear vehicle to manage the complaints that we have," Teague said. It would also require that the phone number for the town's police department be posted for guests. An STR would also be allowed to place a sign advertising the property. There were 1,744 short-term vacation rentals in Haywood County in 2024. In 2023, 53% of overnight visitors stayed in an STR.
Euronews
23-03-2025
- Business
- Euronews
London is considering a tourist tax. Here's what it could mean for visitors
ADVERTISEMENT Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Prague and Venice. Soon, London could be added to the growing list of European cities charging a tax on tourists. Speaking at one of London's 10 annual Mayor's Question Time assemblies this week, city mayor Sadiq Khan expressed support for a levy on visitors to the UK capital. Tourists 'don't really mind paying the extra few euros' to holiday elsewhere, he explained. But while some cities across Europe have successfully implemented tourist taxes, their impact hasn't always been straightforward. Some argue they are essential for maintaining tourism infrastructure, but others worry they could deter visitors in the long term. Could a London tourist tax strike the right balance? How much do tourist taxes generate – and where does the money go? Across Europe, tourist taxes have become a popular source of fundraising for cities struggling to manage overtourism and pay for public services. In Barcelona , for example, visitors currently pay up to €4 per night, on top of a regional tax. These hefty fees generate lots of money for the city – up to €100 million annually – which goes to maintaining infrastructure, improving public transport and preserving historic sites. Paris charges visitors up to almost €16 a night to stay in its most expensive hotels, generating millions of euros each year to support cultural projects and urban upgrades. If London follows suit, a levy could raise significant sums. Official estimates suggest a 5 per cent tax on overnight stays could generate nearly £240 million (€285 million) annually. Related Barcelona, Venice, Bali: How hotspot destinations are spending millions in tourist tax revenue Planning a holiday in Europe this year? All the 2025 tourist taxes, bans and restrictions explained While no formal plans have been outlined, Khan has said that money would support the tourism and hospitality sectors. 'My promise to the hotels and AirBnbs and so forth is the money would be used to improve the environment around that, to encourage more tourists,' he said. Could a London tourist tax hurt its hospitality sector? As the fees continue to rise, critics have questioned their impact. The Barcelona Hotel Association told local media in February that the ever-growing tax – in 2025, a stay in a five-star hotel could cost an extra €15 per night, plus VAT – amounted to the 'fiscal asphyxiation' of one of the city's most important sectors. Venice this year is set to double its tax on day-trippers and short-term visitors from €5 to €10. While the tax netted the city €2.2 million in 2024, officials noted it did little to dissuade the kind of tourism that has clogged the city's public spaces and squeezed out locals. Earlier this year, businesses across Wales closed their doors on St David's Day to protest a proposed tax. Opponents argued that it would make Wales less competitive at a time when tourism-dependent businesses were still recovering from pandemic losses. Related Fairytale castles and unspoiled nature: Where should you go to escape overtourism in Europe? Georgia could be surprise 2025 summer hotspot as BA and easyJet launch direct flights from London In London, where hotel prices are already among the highest in Europe, the introduction of an additional charge could be a sticking point. With tourism hovering just above pre-pandemic levels – VisitBritain estimated 41.2 million inbound visits in 2024, up only 1 per cent from 2019 – some fear a tax could discourage budget-conscious travellers. ADVERTISEMENT Tourism trade group UKHospitality told UK newspaper The Standard that additional taxes would be 'extremely damaging.' Will London join the ranks of tax-charging cities? Last year in Europe was marked by a procession of anti-tourism protests. From Amsterdam to the Canary Islands to Greece , locals took to the streets to voice frustrations over the ceaseless increase in visitors and the impact the industry has had on housing, healthcare and other public services. Tourism taxes have yet to stem the tide of visitors, but they have generated millions for cities struggling to keep a lid on them. With major European destinations already cashing in on these taxes, London's own levy may feel inevitable. But whether it succeeds might depend on how it is framed – either as a necessary tool to support local infrastructure or as an unwelcome extra cost for travellers . ADVERTISEMENT As the debate unfolds, one thing seems certain: the conversation around London's tourism economy centres on more than an 'extra few euros.'
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
London is considering a tourist tax. Here's what it could mean for visitors
Barcelona, Berlin, Paris, Prague and Venice. Soon, London could be added to the growing list of European cities charging a tax on tourists. Speaking at one of London's 10 annual Mayor's Question Time assemblies this week, city mayor Sadiq Khan expressed support for a levy on visitors to the UK capital. Tourists 'don't really mind paying the extra few euros' to holiday elsewhere, he explained. But while some cities across Europe have successfully implemented tourist taxes, their impact hasn't always been straightforward. Some argue they are essential for maintaining tourism infrastructure, but others worry they could deter visitors in the long term. Could a London tourist tax strike the right balance? Across Europe, tourist taxes have become a popular source of fundraising for cities struggling to manage overtourism and pay for public services. In Barcelona, for example, visitors currently pay up to €4 per night, on top of a regional tax. These hefty fees generate lots of money for the city – up to €100 million annually – which goes to maintaining infrastructure, improving public transport and preserving historic sites. Paris charges visitors up to almost €16 a night to stay in its most expensive hotels, generating millions of euros each year to support cultural projects and urban upgrades. If London follows suit, a levy could raise significant sums. Official estimates suggest a 5 per cent tax on overnight stays could generate nearly £240 million (€285 million) annually. Related Barcelona, Venice, Bali: How hotspot destinations are spending millions in tourist tax revenue Planning a holiday in Europe this year? All the 2025 tourist taxes, bans and restrictions explained While no formal plans have been outlined, Khan has said that money would support the tourism and hospitality sectors. 'My promise to the hotels and AirBnbs and so forth is the money would be used to improve the environment around that, to encourage more tourists,' he said. As the fees continue to rise, critics have questioned their impact. The Barcelona Hotel Association told local media in February that the ever-growing tax – in 2025, a stay in a five-star hotel could cost an extra €15 per night, plus VAT – amounted to the 'fiscal asphyxiation' of one of the city's most important sectors. Venice this year is set to double its tax on day-trippers and short-term visitors from €5 to €10. While the tax netted the city €2.2 million in 2024, officials noted it did little to dissuade the kind of tourism that has clogged the city's public spaces and squeezed out locals. Earlier this year, businesses across Wales closed their doors on St David's Day to protest a proposed tax. Opponents argued that it would make Wales less competitive at a time when tourism-dependent businesses were still recovering from pandemic losses. Related Fairytale castles and unspoiled nature: Where should you go to escape overtourism in Europe? Georgia could be surprise 2025 summer hotspot as BA and easyJet launch direct flights from London In London, where hotel prices are already among the highest in Europe, the introduction of an additional charge could be a sticking point. With tourism hovering just above pre-pandemic levels – VisitBritain estimated 41.2 million inbound visits in 2024, up only 1 per cent from 2019 – some fear a tax could discourage budget-conscious travellers. Tourism trade group UKHospitality told UK newspaper The Standard that additional taxes would be 'extremely damaging.' Last year in Europe was marked by a procession of anti-tourism protests. From Amsterdam to the Canary Islands to Greece, locals took to the streets to voice frustrations over the ceaseless increase in visitors and the impact the industry has had on housing, healthcare and other public services. Tourism taxes have yet to stem the tide of visitors, but they have generated millions for cities struggling to keep a lid on them. With major European destinations already cashing in on these taxes, London's own levy may feel inevitable. But whether it succeeds might depend on how it is framed – either as a necessary tool to support local infrastructure or as an unwelcome extra cost for travellers. As the debate unfolds, one thing seems certain: the conversation around London's tourism economy centres on more than an 'extra few euros.'
