Penang to ban use of private condos as homestays

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GEORGE TOWN – Penang is looking to impose a ban on short-term rentals of private condominiums and high-rise apartments in a bid to bolster the state’s hotel industry battered by the Covid-19 pandemic, a state executive councillor said today.

Local government and housing exco Jagdeep Singh Deo said the local authorities are in the midst of finalising new guidelines on the matter, which will specifically prohibit short-term rentals at private high-rise residences.

“We do not want a situation where it will disturb the well-being of other residents. People do not want their house to become a hotel. That’s the simple reasoning behind the guideline,” he said after handing out aid to Penang Island City Council staff in conjunction with the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration.

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Ban on homestay in Penang harms livelihoods, says Airbnb

PETALING JAYA: Airbnb has urged the Penang state government to reconsider its plan to ban short-term rental homes or homestays in landed and highrise properties.

The plan would risk derailing economic recovery efforts, damage Penangites’ livelihood and put jobs at risk “at an incredibly critical juncture”, said Mich Goh, who is the Airbnb head of public policy, Southeast Asia, India, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.

“With tourism playing such a crucial role in Penang’s economy, imposing such ill-considered restrictions on short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in highrise residential buildings would negatively impact the state’s recovery momentum and long-term tourism growth,” Goh said.

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