Airbnb welcomes new Cape Town by-laws regarding home-sharing

Airbnb on Wednesday responded to Cape Town’s recently approved by-laws regarding home-sharing in the city, which now allows “short-term letting from a house or flat for a period not exceeding 30 consecutive days for the same guest”.

This means that homeowners in the city and surrounding areas can now rent out rooms and spaces in their homes for month-long periods.

According to Airbnb, the change reflects Cape Towns “progressive attitude” towards the home-sharing economy.

“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,” the company also said, further noting that the city is one of South Africa’s most popular destinations for Airbnb customers.

The company also revealed that Airbnb has contributed to the equivalent of over 20 000 jobs in South Africa, where it has had more than two million guests use its service since its 2008 launch.

In Cape Town, the amended by-laws will promote even more tourism within local communities in the country.

“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 Velma Corcoran, Airbnb’s Sub-Saharan Africa country manager.

Feature image: Shereesa Moodley/Memeburn