Indonesia tightens oversight of Airbnb-style short-term rentals

All accommodations listed on online travel agencies must have necessary business licenses by March 31, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said on her Instagram account.

Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian Government has issued new regulations to strengthen management of short-term accommodation services, including properties listed on online platforms such as Airbnb.

All accommodations listed on online travel agencies must have necessary business licenses by March 31, Minister of Tourism Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said on her Instagram account.

Widiyanti said the move seeks to ensure Indonesia's tourism sector keeps growing, to prevent tax evasion, and to provide a fair environment for all business operators in the tourism sector. The government expects all operators to start processing the required permits, she elaborated.

The new regulation came after the governor of Indonesian resort island of Bali proposed to halt all short-term rentals including those listed on Airbnb, as the provincial government was losing regional tax revenue./.

VNA

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