By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
After large-scale protests in June by Taiwan’s accommodation providers demanding government regulation of online platforms like Airbnb that list illegal short-term rental listings, the Tourism Bureau under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications plans to amend Article 55-1 of the "Development of Tourism Act." In the future, platforms that publish information about illegal accommodations will face fines and be required to take down the listings. If the platform operators fail to remove the listings, not only will they be repeatedly fined, but their network platform IPs may also be blocked—earning the proposal the nickname the “Airbnb Clause.”
(Image / Airbnb)
The amendment focuses on three main areas: imposing a fine of NT$60,000 on illegal accommodation providers who disseminate or publish advertisements for illegal operations through various media platforms; requiring platform operators to remove listings for non-compliant accommodations, with repeated fines issued to both accommodation providers and online platforms if improvements are not made; and allowing authorities such as the National Communications Commission (NCC) to assist in blocking the IPs of online platforms that refuse to remove listings for illegal accommodations.
(Image / Airbnb)
In response, Airbnb issued a statement regarding the "Development of Tourism Act Amendment Proposal," noting that the proposal does not align with global trends and could harm the healthy development of Taiwan’s tourism industry. Airbnb expressed willingness to work with the government to establish accommodation regulations that meet local needs, arguing that setting appropriate rules with clear guidelines for participants in the sharing and people's economies is far more conducive to advancing Taiwan’s tourism industry than a blanket ban.
Additionally, Airbnb has once again launched its “A Night in a Unique Place” competition. By writing an original literary or artistic story of no more than 500 words on the event webpage before 23:59 on August 11, participants can enter to win. Four groups of travelers will be selected to enjoy a free one-night stay at the Great Wall from September 4 to September 8. The winners will hike a short distance to a one-of-a-kind room on the Great Wall, enjoy a meal featuring iconic Chinese cultural dishes as the sun sets, and even climb to the highest watchtower at dawn to witness a stunning sunrise over the Great Wall.