The gap between government views on Airbnb and the reality of the ground have been laid bare following the launch of a trade show to promote the growing ‘buy-to-host’ industry in the UK.
Last week a government minister told parliament that it was reluctant to tackle the regulation of online short-lets platforms because it gave households a chance to boost their income.
“This in turn promotes economic growth through tourism, although I agree that a balance has to be struck with impinging on the business of local hotels,” said James Younger, Viscount Younger of Leckie.
And he has a point; Airbnb has consistently presented itself as a tool for home owners to make an extra income from their properties.
But Host 2019, which is to take place this week at London’s Business Design Centre attended by half a dozen Airbnb executives, presents another face of the short-let industry.
Professionalisation
The show is for professional Airbnb landlords and includes advice on business strategy, marketing and sales, blockchain technology, finance and tax and business partnerships.
Many of the presentations also point to the increasing sophistication of the short-lets sector created by Airbnb; presentation include advice on ‘buy-to-host’ investing, hiring staff to run Airbnb renting empires, building a website and multiple presentations on regulation.
Several UK property sector organisations are represented at the show including London agent Portico, which has a growing business offering Airbnb landlords a management service, the Residential Landlords Association, key management proptech firms KeyNest and Klevio and 3D tours firm Giraffe360.
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