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Hotel Chamber asks deputies to approve bill regulating non-traditional lodging |
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 By the A.M. Costa Rica staff
The Costa Rican Chamber of Hotels made a call to the deputies of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Legislative Assembly, to expedite the approval of the new bill #20865 named, "Regularization of non-traditional hosting and its intermediation through digital platforms." This bill would regulate non-traditional lodging like Airbnb that operate online. According to the Chamber, the bill is practically ready for the deputies to approve it tomorrow, Tuesday. "The hotel business sector is requesting a quick and transparent procedure for the bill to regulate non-traditional lodging and digital platforms in the country," said the Chamber statement. According to the Chamber, this bill will regulate informal lodging services, will generate more tax revenues for the government, will protect tourists and will create a fairer environment of competition. "The Chamber insists that the deputies who evaluate the project address the positive effect that this will have on government finances, on the protection of consumer interest (tourists), on the climate of competition and encouragement to the private investment in new hotel projects," said the Chamber statement. To the Chamber, the project is a priority for the country, where the largest income in foreign currency comes from tourism. "We remind the deputies that the formal hotel sector of this country has contributed for many years with the payment not only of sales tax but with 3 percent of the tax from the Costa Rican Tourism Institute." Regarding the issue of fair competition, the Chamber says that in the case of hotels, in addition to paying taxes, they must invest large capital to comply with specific rules and compliance with Law 7600 that protects people with different abilities, while the informal hosting sites are not compliant and don't pay taxes. The Economic Affairs Commission of the Legislative Assembly has, on Tuesday's agenda, the study of the new bill #20865 named "Regularization of non-traditional hosting and its intermediation through digital platforms." |
 A.M. Costa Rica wire services photo Ms. Carla Stefaniak rented the villa through Airbnb. One of the points made about non-traditional housing, is the case of the villa where a U.S. citizen Carla Stefaniak was reported in A.M. Costa Rica. Ms Stefaniak was murdered on November 28. Her body was found a short distance from the villa-hotel where she stayed in the town of San Antonio in Escazú*. She rented the villa through Airbnb. The Municipality of Escazú* confirmed that villa has been closed by the government officials because the owner does not have the necessary permits allowing the B & B to offer accommodations to tourists. As Mr. Carlos Bejarano, the spokesman for the municipality, said, "The place had not had an operating license since 2013. So it was closed." ---- Should the deputies speed up the approval of the law to regulate the B&Bs? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to: news@amcostarica.com *Link to reach the place on map. |
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