SNP holiday lets chaos is scaring off tourists, says Airbnb

Airbnb has launched a damning onslaught connected the SNP’s ‘flawed’ short-term lets policy, claiming it is driving tourists distant from Scotland.

The $100billion planetary accommodation steadfast says tourists are shunning Scotland due to the fact that of the Scottish Government’s vacation rental reddish portion shambles.

Government rules necessitate anyone who rents retired rooms oregon their location connected a short-term ground to use for a licence – costing up to £5,800 – from section councils. 

Airbnb says the regulations are driving visitors away, peculiarly to towns successful the northbound of England, and robbing Scots homeowners of much-needed cash.

It besides argues the licensing strategy has failed to present the promised benefits for locals. 

It is thought Airbnb volition effort to transportation the Scottish Government to reappraisal and alteration the rules.

The latest scathing appraisal of the SNP strategy comes aft The Mail connected Sunday revealed the caller rules had near Edinburgh’s celebrated festivals facing an accommodation situation with a 90 per cent simplification successful rental spots successful the city.

The crackdown connected short-term lets was meant to summation availability and affordability of properties for semipermanent residential letting.

But, according to Airbnb, rents person really increased.

In a study entitled Six Months On: An update connected the interaction of Scotland’s short-term fto rules, the steadfast concluded: ‘The implementation of short-term rental rules successful Scotland is harming its tourism manufacture and limiting economical opportunities for section families.

‘Despite the measures, they person not delivered affirmative impacts connected lodging and rental prices, which person reached their highest yearly complaint successful astir a decade.’

Amanda Cupples, Airbnb wide manager of Northern Europe, added: ‘Data shows Scotland’s short-term rental rules are not translating into benefits for section families. 

Since the strategy has been successful place, edifice and rental prices person increased, tourism is expected to suffer, and families person mislaid a captious root of income.

‘Airbnb has worked with governments crossed the satellite to equilibrium the benefits of short-term rentals with section lodging concerns, and we anticipation to enactment with Scotland connected policies that payment everyone.’

The onslaught by Airbnb follows warnings implicit the aboriginal of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with a fig of high-profile figures claiming accommodation successful the metropolis is present truthful costly acts tin nary longer spend to execute there.

Former BBC presenter Gail Porter said she had been ‘priced out’ of putting connected a amusement successful her location town, portion comedian Jason Manford said Edinburgh prices were an ‘absolute joke’.

Meanwhile, request for sell-out events specified arsenic Taylor Swift’s concerts successful June has besides helped thrust prices up to stratospheric levels.

The rules requiring councils to tally a short-term fto licensing strategy came into unit past October.

Anyone renting retired thing from a azygous country successful a shared level to a full castle, arsenic good arsenic rooms successful B&Bs and guesthouses – indispensable use and wage for a licence.

The rules were intended to curb the fig of short-term lets, peculiarly successful Edinburgh wherever immoderate residents complained they were being swamped by visitors.

However, tourism bodies and accommodation providers warned the rules were draconian, costly and created a immense load of reddish tape, harming businesses already struggling with ostentation pressures and the bequest of the pandemic.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: ‘This damning study shows the damaging world of the SNP’s flawed short-term lets policy.

‘Tourists are turning their backs connected Scotland and tiny concern owners are being hammered.’

Airbnb was founded successful 2008 successful the US and is present the world’s champion known online tract for short-term lets. 

It advertises astir 5 cardinal properties successful 100,000 towns and cities astir the globe. The steadfast believes the caller rules successful Scotland are having a antagonistic effect.

Its study stated: ‘The disruption to proviso volition bounds accommodation options for guests, restrict earning opportunities for families and wounded tiny businesses that trust connected visitors to Scotland.’

Airbnb besides pointed retired the instauration of the licensing authorities has not led to semipermanent rentals for residents becoming cheaper.

It said: ‘Long-term rental prices surged 6.8 per cent successful the 12 months to January 2024. 

This summation marks the highest yearly complaint recorded successful implicit a decade, indicating the caller rules connected short-term lets person not instantly resulted successful improved rental affordability.’

Airbnb claimed immoderate visitors are heading elsewhere, stating: ‘With less options available, travellers are present progressively turning their attraction to the northbound of England.

‘Cities specified arsenic Liverpool and Newcastle person experienced a surge successful searches, suggesting they are becoming charismatic alternatives for travellers.’

Catherine Sutherland, an Airbnb big from Edinburgh, said providers specified arsenic her were losing out.

She added: ‘The regulations are hurting tourism. People are struggling to find affordable accommodation and are efficaciously blocked from visiting Scotland.’

The Scottish Government has defended the licensing scheme. It said: ‘The fig of overseas visitors to Scotland has recovered from the pandemic astatine a faster complaint than the remainder of Britain.

‘The instauration of licensing provides assurance to guests connected information and quality.’