HOTREC is officially presenting its position paper on the recently presented Proposal for a Regulation on Short-Term Accommodation Rental Services.
The initiative represents an important step in establishing a framework that will protect and benefit consumers, residents, hospitality workers, local communities and the entire EU tourism ecosystem of which short-term rental (STR) accommodations have, over time, become an inherent part.
While the proposal represents a step in the right direct direction, HOTREC nevertheless believes that it needs to be further strengthened and clarified so that the final law is future-proof and helps to level the playing field amongst different accommodation providers.
Therefore, HOTREC calls on the EU Member States and the European Parliament to address the following issues which are further elaborated on in the position paper:
- Scope and definitions (such as ‘’unit’’) should be clarified by referencing national laws.
- Registration schemes and registration numbers for hosts should be mandatory in all EU Member States.
- More flexibility and ambition should be given when it comes to data and information provided by hosts.
- The roles and responsibilities of online platforms should be strengthened with an aim of supporting regulatory compliance by STR hosts.