26 professional associations unite in opposition to Hungary’s full short-term rentals ban
Twenty-six professional organisations have published their position against a full out ban on short-term rentals in the capital on Turizmus.com.
Full-out ban for short-term rentals?
Acknowledging that short-term rentals were a housing, social, and tourism issue, the associations recommended that the government seek a “compromise between the current regulations and a full-out ban” on homestays.
They argued that tourism in the capital needed “sharing economy” accommodations favored by travelers adopting the “be like a local” trend. A full out ban would be “legal nonsense” and “economically irrational”, they added.
They warned that a full-out ban would result in “big losses” for catering establishments and tourism attractions in the capital and for Liszt Ferenc International Airport.
The associations pressed for a rethink of regulations on short-term rentals based on best practices in other big European cities, surveys, and studies.
Signatory organisations:
- Balatoni Kör (Balaton Circle)
- Balatoni Turizmus Szövetség (Balaton Tourism Association)
- Falusi és Agroturizmus Országos Szövetsége (National Federation of Rural and Agrotourism – FATOSZ)
- HévÃzi Turisztikai Nonprofit Kft. (HévÃz Tourism Nonprofit Ltd.)
- Magánvállalkozók Nemzeti Fuvarozó Ipartestülete – NiT Hungary (National Association of Private Entrepreneurs and Hauliers – NiT Hungary)
- Magyar Apartmankiadók Egyesülete (Association of Hungarian Apartment Hosts)
- Magyar Beutaztatók Szövetsége (Hungarian Inbound Tour Operators Association)
- Magyar Bocuse d’Or Akadémia (Hungarian Bocuse d’Or Academy)
- Magyar Cukrász Ipartestület (Hungarian Confectioners Guild)
- Magyar Csokoládé és Édesség Szövetség (Hungarian Chocolate and Confectionery Association)
- Magyar Egészségturizmus Marketing Egyesület (Hungarian Health Tourism Marketing Association)
- Magyar Éttermi Szövetség (Hungarian Restaurant Association)
- Magyar Fesztivál Szövetség (Hungarian Festival Association)
- Magyar Fürdőszövetség (Hungarian Spa Association)
- Magyar Idegenvezetők Egyesülete (Hungarian Tour Guides Association)
- Magyar Nemzeti Gasztronómiai Szövetség (Hungarian National Gastronomy Association)
- Magyar Sétaszövetség Egyesülés (Hungarian Walking Association)
- Magyar Szállodák és Éttermek Szövetsége (Hungarian Hotel and Restaurant Association)
- Magyar Turisztikai Szövetség AlapÃtvány (Hungarian Tourism Association Foundation)
- Magyar Utazási Irodák Szövetsége (Hungarian Travel Agencies Association)
- Magyar Vendéglátók Ipartestülete (Hungarian Catering Industry Association)
- Magyarországi Idegenvezetők Szövetsége (Hungarian Tour Guides Association)
- Magyarországi Ifjúsági Szállások Szövetsége (Hungarian Youth Hostels Association)
- Magyarországi Rendezvényszervezők és -szolgáltatók Szövetsége (Hungarian Event Organizers and Service Providers Association)
- Skål International Hungary (Skål International Hungary)
- Turisztikai és Vendéglátóipari Munkaadók Országos Szövetsége (National Association of Tourism and Hospitality Employers – VIMOSZ)
Referendum on short-term rentals ban
Recently, a referendum was held in a central district of the capital in favour of a ban on home detention, details HERE. As no threshold was set and barely 20% of residents voted, Momentum’s mayor hailed the 54-46% vote in favour of the ban as a resounding success. Moreover, the government has adopted the opposition mayor’s initiative as a decisive result.
Hotel chains lobby, Hungarian families’ livelihoods
The Hungarian government has unsettled the market by not saying anything definite but raising the possibility of a complete ban. In addition, the government owns almost the entire supply of Hungarian hotels, so there is bound to be a lobby in favour of a ban.
At the same time, all the statistics show that those who choose to stay in short-stay apartments would not stay in hotels, so there could be a massive loss to Hungarian tourism after a misguided and forced decision.
Moreover, the government wants to impose strict restrictions to protect Hungarian families. Still, the vast majority of short-term accommodation is owned by Hungarian families, not by large corporations, so their decision is hitting Hungarian households.
read also: Tourism industry raises concerns over proposed ban on short-stay accommodations in Hungary
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