Hotels are Losing War On Holiday RentalsWednesday, October 19, 2016 In Costa Rica the total amount of accommodation available for rent through the web platform Airbnb is now equivalent to 18% of the hotels in the country. The figure has been confirmed by the union of hoteliers, who say there is now a total of 11,000 homes offering accommodation for tourism through Airbnb. On top of this data there are also residences rented to tourists through other platforms such as Homeaway or VRBO. Airbnb, Taxes and TourismMonday, February 19, 2018 The company would be willing to charge the lodging tax in Panama if the restrictions on the rental of real estate for tourism purposes were eliminated, and if the data on property owners was protected. These are the conditions that representatives of the property rental platform proposed to the Panamanian government to begin negotiating the possible collection of the 10% lodging tax, also paid by hotels, in order to formalize their operation in the country. Economía Social Solidaria = Sharing EconomyThursday, July 16, 2015 The twin sister of an old concept of cooperatives which today enemies of capital want to reinvigorate, the ultramodern collaboratively economy creates value by using the internet through more efficient use of available resources. EDITORIAL Airbnb vs. Hotels: Innovate or PerishMonday, May 25, 2015 Although major hotel brands claim not to be affected, the growing supply of houses and apartments for short stays, is forcing hotels to change their methods of attracting guests in order to survive. Airbnb, VRBO and Homeaway are just some of the countless websites where owners rent their houses or apartments to tourists, who increasingly opt for this alternative to conventional hotels worldwide, and Central America is no exception. Panama: Hotels vs. AirBnB War ContinuesMonday, March 7, 2016 Besides trying to formally regulate housing rentals used for tourism, the DGI is planning better controls on the payment of income tax and ITBMS. The battle between hotels against vacation rentals made via platforms such as Airbnb continues, and so far the only measure taken by the government has been to collect fines of up to $50,000 and a promise to accelerate the process of imposing these sanctions. Wind Blows in Favour of Collaborative EconomyTuesday, March 15, 2016 Accepting that Uber, Airbnb and crowfunding are here to stay, the National Markets and Competition Commission of Spain is in favor of reducing requirements for traditional operators and not adding any new regulations for incoming competitors. EDITORIAL Airbnb Could Operate Freely Outside of Panama CityMonday, January 2, 2017 The government has proposed that Airbnb offer its services only in the interior of the country where the supply of hotels is lower and where the legal prohibition of vacation rentals is not in effect. Authorities at the online rental company met with representatives from the government and the private sector, after a group of tourists were affected by an inspection by the ATP in an apartment which was rented out using the platform. Airbnb to Pay Taxes in PanamaThursday, July 20, 2017 The company has proposed to the government that a tax collection scheme be implemented for property owners that rent out rooms to tourists using its web platform. Airbnb's idea is to establish a system similar to the one recently implemented in Puerto Rico, where the company signed an agreement with the government to collect taxes on rentals from homeowners. Airbnb Seeks Space in Panama CityFriday, November 15, 2019 Because the legislation currently does not allow the collaborative hosting economy platform to operate in the country's capital, the company expressed an interest in working with the authorities to remove the ban. For now, the platform only offers the public accommodation in the interior of the country, the most popular destinations being Bocas del Toro, Río Hato, Boquete, Chiriquí and Playa Gorgona. Threats to "Traditional" tourismMonday, March 25, 2019 Given the growing use of its vacation rental platform in Panama, Airbnb plans to offer other services such as ticket purchase, tours and paperwork management for tourists. Airbnb executives reported that between 2017 and 2018, the number of visitors who demanded their services increased by 65%. This situation contrasts with the decrease in hotel occupancy registered in recent years in Panama. Hemodialysis, Airbnb and UberMonday, February 15, 2016 People with kidney failure can now travel normally, covered by a coalition of companies united by the concepts of a sharing economy. EDITORIAL |
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