Travel Advisors Mull the Implications of Potential Hawaii Short-Term Rental Crackdown

Like other popular travel destinations where housing is expensive and in short supply, Hawaii is reeling from the effects of a proliferation of short-term vacation rentals. The situation is especially acute on the densely populated island of Oahu, where thousands of short-term rentals lacking the required county-issued permits have sprung up in once-quiet residential neighborhoods. Two measures are currently before the Honolulu City Council to impose greater controls, especially on non-owner-occupied home rentals.

Those who favor tougher regulation say the situation is not only disturbing the peace, but squeezing locals out of the housing market and even forcing some to move out of Hawaii altogether. The opposition, including Airbnb, maintain that the state’s tourism economy would be the loser if short-term rentals are truncated during a time when visitor numbers are rising and hotel growth is almost stagnant.

As the president of Hawaii’s ASTA chapter points out, it truly is a catch-22 situation, raising questions of how to balance the interests of all concerned.

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— Maria Lenhart, Travel Advisor Editor

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Skift Travel Advisor Editor Maria Lenhart [[email protected]] curates the Skift Travel Advisor Innovation Report. Skift emails the newsletter every Tuesday. Have a story idea? Or a juicy news tip? Want to share a memo? Send her an email.