‘Isolated in our own neighbourhood’: analysis on the proposal to regulate peer-to-peer accommodation services in Malaysia
Peer-to-Peer Accommodation services (P2PA) are mushrooming worldwide due to the expansion of digital services and Internet access. Since P2PA services operate fully online, small establishments utilise disruptive technology and surpass traditional hoteliers by surprise. In the first part of this...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
IIUM
2021
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/95599/1/95599_%E2%80%98Isolated%20in%20our%20own%20neighbourhood%E2%80%99.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/95599/ https://journals.iium.edu.my/iiumlj/index.php/iiumlj/article/view/647 |
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| Summary: | Peer-to-Peer Accommodation services (P2PA) are mushrooming
worldwide due to the expansion of digital services and Internet access.
Since P2PA services operate fully online, small establishments utilise
disruptive technology and surpass traditional hoteliers by surprise. In the
first part of this article, we examine the problems caused by P2PA for
‘playing on an uneven field’, avoiding necessary taxes, skipping
regulatory and safety requirements, and causing loss of tranquillity to the
neighbourhood. Due to these problems, a proposal was moved by the
government to regulate P2PA in Malaysia via a self-regulatory guideline,
as analysed in the second part of the article. However, due to its nonbinding status, the proposal will arguably lead to irregularities in
regulatory mechanisms at the state level when enforced. P2PA hosts
were asked to comply with regulatory requirements similar to hoteliers,
but the platform providers have arguably avoided any P2PA related
liability nor responsibility as they operate offshore. Applying qualitative
research methods via content analysis and semi-structured interviews,
the article concludes by proposing a legal framework to regulate the
P2PA platform providers, including hosts and agents, which is deemed
timely and necessary for Malaysia to safeguard the interests of both
tourists and stakeholders. |
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