AirBnB hosts respond well to NTB registration
The NTB is losing an estimated N$10 500 in revenue because of non-registration on the part of AirBnB operators.
Ogone Tlhage -Namibia Tourism Board CEO Digu //Naobeb has said that tourism establishments that are using the AirBnB marketing tool are responding well to a request to formally register with the regulator.
This follows an appeal by the NTB to AirBnB tourism establishments to register and pay levies.
According to //Naobeb, tourism establishments are compelled to register with the NTB as required by the law even if they are using AirBnB as a marketing tool for their businesses.
“We advised those persons in Namibia who are offering accommodation to guests at a fee to register with the NTB as the law requires. Airbnb is merely a marketing platform for these operators and the platform is not in terms of the Act required to register with the NTB,” said //Naobeb.
According to him, the response has been encouraging. “We are receiving requests for application forms on a daily basis. Furthermore, others are inquiring which category they should apply under.”
He explained that AirBnB itself is not required to register with NTB, making it difficult to calculate the levies lost. “NTB can only determine the income once levy return forms are submitted by the accommodation establishments.”
LOSS IN REVENUE
//Naobeb said the NTB was losing an estimated N$10 500 in revenue terms because of non-registration on the part of AirBnB operators.
“Assuming that we have 200 unregistered AirBnB hosts each with a two bedroomed flat charging an average amount of N$350.00 with 15 bed nights per month one can therefore roughly estimate that on a monthly basis NTB could be losing N$10 500,” he said.
According to //Naobeb, registration is compulsory even if an establishment is making use of AirBnB and said that the NTB stands ready to assist and advice persons using AirBnB.
“Namibia Tourism Board Inspectors will provide free advisory services on the required minimum standards and any registered accommodation establishments can solicit business opportunities with any public enterprise or any government agency and ministries,” he said.
//Naobeb encouraged persons renting out living space to register with the NTB and said non-registration could result in criminal proceedings being instituted.
“All persons offering their homes to AirBnB are kindly requested to comply with the Namibian laws and to register such accommodation with the Namibia Tourism Board on or before 31 December 2017.
This follows an appeal by the NTB to AirBnB tourism establishments to register and pay levies.
According to //Naobeb, tourism establishments are compelled to register with the NTB as required by the law even if they are using AirBnB as a marketing tool for their businesses.
“We advised those persons in Namibia who are offering accommodation to guests at a fee to register with the NTB as the law requires. Airbnb is merely a marketing platform for these operators and the platform is not in terms of the Act required to register with the NTB,” said //Naobeb.
According to him, the response has been encouraging. “We are receiving requests for application forms on a daily basis. Furthermore, others are inquiring which category they should apply under.”
He explained that AirBnB itself is not required to register with NTB, making it difficult to calculate the levies lost. “NTB can only determine the income once levy return forms are submitted by the accommodation establishments.”
LOSS IN REVENUE
//Naobeb said the NTB was losing an estimated N$10 500 in revenue terms because of non-registration on the part of AirBnB operators.
“Assuming that we have 200 unregistered AirBnB hosts each with a two bedroomed flat charging an average amount of N$350.00 with 15 bed nights per month one can therefore roughly estimate that on a monthly basis NTB could be losing N$10 500,” he said.
According to //Naobeb, registration is compulsory even if an establishment is making use of AirBnB and said that the NTB stands ready to assist and advice persons using AirBnB.
“Namibia Tourism Board Inspectors will provide free advisory services on the required minimum standards and any registered accommodation establishments can solicit business opportunities with any public enterprise or any government agency and ministries,” he said.
//Naobeb encouraged persons renting out living space to register with the NTB and said non-registration could result in criminal proceedings being instituted.
“All persons offering their homes to AirBnB are kindly requested to comply with the Namibian laws and to register such accommodation with the Namibia Tourism Board on or before 31 December 2017.
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