The City of Cape Town has approved a new by-law that will make renting out properties on Airbnb much easier for homeowners.
The proposal allows homeowners to rent out their homes or apartments for a period not exceeding 30 days for the same traveller. This regulation will soon be gazetted.
Airbnb has stated that it supports the move: ‘Airbnb believes the proposed rules are right for Cape Town and show the city’s progressive attitude.’
Business Tech spoke to Velma Corcoran, Airbnb country manager for Sub-Saharan Africa who said: ‘Airbnb believes the proposed rules are right for Cape Town and show the city’s progressive attitude.
‘Positive results can be achieved when policymakers and Airbnb work together on the shared goals of making cities better places to live, work and visit.
‘Airbnb has worked with many governments around the world, and would like to congratulate Cape Town on supporting entrepreneurship and empowerment.’
‘It ensures that together, Airbnb and the City of Cape Town can help spread the benefits of tourism to those who haven’t previously been able to be part of the tourism economy, thereby helping more locals, their immediate communities and the city to reap the economic gains that tourism brings,’ said Corcoran to Business Tech.
Since 2008, two million people have stayed in homes listed on Airbnb in South Africa, according to data released by Airbnb.
In 2018, Airbnb contributed R8.7-billion directly to the economy and the platform has created 22,000 jobs in South Africa.
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