Government seeks to regulate Airbnb industry

For thousands of South Africans, from the Atlantic Seaboard to the suburbs of Sandton, the "sharing economy" has been a vital lifeline in a struggling economy, the wild west of short-term rentals is facing a major government intervention. Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has officially gazetted a new "Draft Code of Good Practice" for short-term rentals. It's the first major step in a national crackdown aimed at bringing platforms like Airbnb under tighter control. From mandatory registration to strict new standards for safety and noise, the government says it's time to level the playing field with traditional hotels. The move has sent shockwaves through the industry. While the government argues this will protect neighborhoods and ensure fair competition, small-scale operators many of whom rely on this income to pay their bonds fear they are being regulated out of existence. Joining us now to unpack the implications is tourism Minister Spokesperson Aldrin Sampear. For more news, visit sabcnews.com and #SABCNews on all Social Media platforms.