1. Online Short-term holiday rental platforms – Forum report Professor Nicole Gurran

2. OSTHRs issues and potential responses
Forum
OSTHRs issues and potential responses
Preliminary findings, research project on planning responses to online holiday rentals
Presentations by councils
Overview of state and local responses
Industry & stakeholder panel
Local government workshop

3. Online Short Term Holiday Rentals (OSTHRs) are different because…
Increased demand facilitated through online global platforms
Ease of supply, facilitated through platform
New types of residential tourism accommodation, and new types of operators
Tourism in new locations

4. Case study communities all experiencing growth in online holiday rental listings
Source: Gurran & Zhang 2018, preliminary analysis based on Inside Airbnb data

5. But the impacts differ Some councils report Others say
Growing complaints about noise, waste management, anti-social behaviour, dogs, parking, security concerns
Very few complaints
Growing shortage of permanent rental housing, as homes are converted to tourism
Employers struggle when tourism staff can’t rent a permanent home
Holiday homes primarily a different sector of the local / regional housing system and market
Declining investment in traditional tourism accommodation
Traditional tourism sector continuing to grow
Absent hosts or “cowboy” operators, disconnected from wider local tourism network
Model “hosts” who educate guests about neighbourliness and local visitor experiences
Holiday rentals operating in unauthorised buildings / structures
Registration system checks minimum health and safety standards, for operators who comply

6. For some communities, OSTHRs are only a small proportion of tourist accommodation, but in others they are the main offering
Source: Gurran & Zhang 2018, preliminary analysis based on Inside Airbnb data and STA data

7. (Current) planning and related responses to OSTHRs
Planning responses differ
Permissibility
Need & criteria for permission
Registration systems not widespread
Minimum standards check
Revenue stream for local councils / destination marketing
Host / tourism sector / visitor education and information strategy (eg. waste collection, good neighbour policy, visitor experiences)
Compliance and enforcement very difficult without cooperation from platforms

8. Summary and conclusions
Impacts of OSTHRs vary, reflecting:
Existing tourist accommodation / holiday homes
Trends in permanent population
Type of community / housing
Local planning & management framework for residential tourism
Local / wider housing market
Need to improve state / local planning responses
Definitions and permissibility
Approval processes and conditions
Local registration & income
Compliance and enforcement
Host education + cooperation of platforms?
Integrate within tourism strategy
Next step in research project is report & local guidance checklist