Airbnb collaborates with PLANMalaysia on guidelines for short-term rental accommodation

• PLANMalaysia has conducted a series of engagements with stakeholders including federal government agencies, state and local authorities, online travel platforms, hoteliers and host associations. The department also conducted an online survey from May to June this year to obtain the views of the public, industry stakeholders and building owners.

KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 25): Airbnb, operator of an online marketplace for vacation rentals and tourism activities, recently teamed up with the Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia) to develop a set of guidelines for short-term rental accommodation (STRA) nationwide, it announced in a press release on Wednesday.

PLANMalaysia director general Alias Rameli said, “In Malaysia, short-term rental activities are under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government Development (KPKT) and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac). Since January this year, PLANMalaysia has been given the responsibility of formulating a short-term rental accommodation planning guideline as a uniform reference for all parties involved in the STRA ecosystem."

According to the statement, PLANMalaysia has conducted a series of engagements with stakeholders including federal government agencies, state and local authorities, online travel platforms, hoteliers and host associations. The department also conducted an online survey from May to June this year to obtain the views of the public, industry stakeholders and building owners.

Alias added that PLANMalaysia had completed the Unified Public Consultation for the draft guidelines in September this year.

The press release shared that Airbnb's key recommendations for the national STRA guidelines, based on global best practices and regulations, include allowing STRA by default in all strata buildings with a 75% vote via their joint management body or management corporation in accordance with the Strata Management Act 2013; introducing a national-level online registration portal for STRA operators via one single intake form that will provide government authorities with a data-backed overview of STRA activities in the country and facilitate effective oversight and policy making; and creating an exclusion register for STRA operators and guests who do not comply with an industry-wide code of conduct.

Airbnb head of public policy for Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong and Taiwan Mich Goh said, “We are glad to have worked with PLANMalaysia to provide feedback during the industry consultation for national guidelines for STRA. If approved, these guidelines are set to be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, demonstrating Malaysia’s dynamism in embracing technology and innovation in tourism."

Goh added that Airbnb contributed over RM5 billion to the country's gross domestic product and supported almost 57,000 jobs between March 2022 to March 2023.

"STRA provides a wide variety of accommodation for different types of travellers, and are an important means of additional income for many Malaysians through hosting. Given its role in tourism and economic growth, it is critical that the industry is regulated in a balanced and effective manner."

Looking to buy a home? Sign up for EdgeProp START and get exclusive rewards and vouchers for ANY home purchase in Malaysia (primary or subsale)!