Maintaining the Status Quo: Regulating Airbnb in Tasmania

Airbnb has polarised the Tasmanian community. When Airbnb entered the Australian market in 2012, it is fair to say it did not create even a ripple; consumers were still grappling with the concept of actually sharing resources, including homes. Fast forward to 2019 and Airbnb is a significant part of the Tasmanian tourism economy. At the same time, Airbnb has attracted criticism from stakeholders including tourism operators and community groups who want greater regulation. This chapter suggests that approaches to regulation clearly cannot be applied universally. Legislators must reflect upon the differences between towns, cities and regions, and take into consideration individual socio economic status indicators.