European Union travel tech companies are urging the European Commission to review its short-term rental (STR) initiative and consider data logging and sharing systems.
Among the main recommendations that the agency has addressed to the European Commission in this area are:
- Introduction of harmonized registration regimes
- Use of record systems to support data exchange
- Ensure clear and proportionate rules
STRs are increasingly popular in the EU, offering alternative accommodation solutions for travelers looking for great flexibility in their stay, reports SchengenVisaInfo.com.
STR represents more than 29% of the tourist accommodation sector in the 27 EU countries and is considered essential for economic recovery and the development of the tourist ecosystem.
Data from EU travel tech reveals that before the start of the pandemic, countries such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the UK accounted for 72% of total STR gross bookings .
At the same time, in 2019, more than 554 million nights were spent in the EU in accommodation booked through the four largest online travel platforms.
“EU Travel Tech members have long advocated for a harmonized framework introducing clear and proportionate rules on the provision and marketing of STR services. Online platforms have often been at the center of the debate regarding the challenges posed by the rapid spread of STRs. In our view, such challenges require a regulatory framework that carefully clarifies and balances the roles and responsibilities of the different actors involved in online platforms, owners and the remit of public authorities and that aims to standardize data sharing approaches. across the EU, among others,” EU travel technology pointed out in this regard.
As the company explains, EU travel technology welcomes the Commission’s initiative to review the regulation of short-term rental services across the EU.
In addition, EU Travel Technology also advocates that the implementation of registration obligations can go a long way towards improving data sharing. It indicates that most of the data requested by public authorities is linked to STR providers, and that they are therefore obliged to receive it directly from hosts.
Previously, even the trade association representing the EU hospitality industry, HOTREC, called on EU countries to impose obligations on platforms and short-term accommodation providers.
Similarly, on August 9, some of the busiest cities in the EU, seeing as a problem the increase in the number of short-term rentals which prevent many inhabitants from finding accommodation, also called for legislative action to harden them.