European Federation of Rural Tourism

Ruraltour

The European Federation of Rural Tourism (Ruraltour) is formed by 29 professional and trade organisations from 26 countries of geographical Europe.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Short-term rental initiative

12 Jan 2023

The European Federation of Rural Tourism Ruraltour welcomes the initiative for a homogeneous regulatory approach to STR and similar services across Europe. We consider that the proposed regulation is adequate to achieve this objective without considerable additional burden. The requested minimum information during registration is reasonable. We would however like to add a definition of what type of service is considered STR compared with full accommodation traders, as this would clarify existing conflicts between both. Furthermore we suggest a clearer differentiation between peer and professional STR providers. Most if a not all problems generated by STR arise from professional STR providers that in reality are a disseminated apartment business but use the figure of STR to avoid more demanding touristic regulation, taxation and other requirements. This situation not only generates distortion in fair competition with full tourism business, it also triggers restrictive one-fits-all regulations that affect disproportionally the peer STR providers.
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