Accommodation providers may be licensed in Malta

Home rental networks such as Airbnb may face regulatory challenges in Malta as a revised legislation was newly launched for public consultation in the country.

Addressing at a conference organized by Malta's Tourism Studies Association (TSA) titled "The Sharing Economy - Opportunities and threats for Malta's Tourism industry," the archipelago's Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis expressed how changes in technology are having a marked effect on the tourism sector.

He said currently the proposed revised legislation calls for all accommodation providers to be licensed by the Malta Tourism Authority and, in addition, to provide third-party liability insurance to cover accidents, injury or bodily harm, including death.

The proposal also calls for a new licensing regime for the "BB Residence" category, in support and recognition of new models that are being developed in the market.

He stressed that a number of initiatives will be undertaken, including an awareness campaign, designed to clamp down on irregular operations.

"We form part of a globalized market, and we need to respond to new trends, such as the 'sharing economy', proactively. We will therefore continue to be at the forefront in ensuring that our tourism industry can successfully absorb, adapt to, and exploit change at all times," concluded the minister. Endit