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Agreed. I'm not going to argue that Airbnb is above regulations, but the spitefulness on behalf of the hotel lobby is ridiculous. It's exactly the type of lobby

Agreed. I'm not going to argue that Airbnb is above regulations, but the spitefulness on behalf of the hotel lobby is ridiculous. It's exactly the type of lobbying that works against consumer interests for no good reason. How do we stop this?

atourgates 10y ago
Certainly the hotel industry's lobbying is self-interested, but I wouldn't say it's entirely against consumer interest. Sure, travelers are interested in paying the lowest price for the best accommodation, but the needs of residents are often conflicting with that. There are reasons that zoning laws exist, and that I couldn't just decide to buy a house and turn it into a hotel in many places. But that's essentially what Airbnb allows. There's always an important balance between regulation, and freedom, and I'm certainly not arguing for outlawing Airbnb. But in this case that self-interest of the hotel industry might be aligned closely with the self-interest of residents in the communities where Airbnb operates.
- hellofunk 10y ago
  I think it is also unfair to neighbors who didn't realize they were moving into a home right next to someone who has a revolving door of tourists like a hotel. If you know there is a hotel on your street and you choose to live where you live, then that's your choice. But Airbnb makes it possible for anyone to turn your little street into something unexpected, especially in touristy areas, and I don't think that's right.
- Jabanga 10y ago
  >There are reasons that zoning laws exist The reasons aren't compelling to me. It's essentially biased toward money changing hands. Invite different people over every night and do drugs, get drunk and have sex? It's your god given right! Let guests stay for free for a year in your absence? Your property, your rules. Money changed hands!? Oh my Gosh zoning laws, community rights, etc If there are safety or community character concerns, and laws created to address them, the laws should be completely neutral to commercial aspects like money changing hands, which are only relevant to special interests who want to stifle commercial competition.

atourgates 10y ago

Certainly the hotel industry's lobbying is self-interested, but I wouldn't say it's entirely against consumer interest. Sure, travelers are interested in paying the lowest price for the best accommodation, but the needs of residents are often conflicting with that. There are reasons that zoning laws exist, and that I couldn't just decide to buy a house and turn it into a hotel in many places. But that's essentially what Airbnb allows. There's always an important balance between regulation, and freedom, and I'm certainly not arguing for outlawing Airbnb. But in this case that self-interest of the hotel industry might be aligned closely with the self-interest of residents in the communities where Airbnb operates.

hellofunk 10y ago
I think it is also unfair to neighbors who didn't realize they were moving into a home right next to someone who has a revolving door of tourists like a hotel. If you know there is a hotel on your street and you choose to live where you live, then that's your choice. But Airbnb makes it possible for anyone to turn your little street into something unexpected, especially in touristy areas, and I don't think that's right.
Jabanga 10y ago
>There are reasons that zoning laws exist The reasons aren't compelling to me. It's essentially biased toward money changing hands. Invite different people over every night and do drugs, get drunk and have sex? It's your god given right! Let guests stay for free for a year in your absence? Your property, your rules. Money changed hands!? Oh my Gosh zoning laws, community rights, etc If there are safety or community character concerns, and laws created to address them, the laws should be completely neutral to commercial aspects like money changing hands, which are only relevant to special interests who want to stifle commercial competition.