Home rental giant Airbnb is to expand in Dubai to help promote “responsible hosting” while growing and diversifying tourism in the emirate.
An agreement by the community-driven hospitality company has been signed with Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism).
It follows the introduction of enhanced regulations last month that make obtaining a ‘holiday home’ licence more ‘streamlined’ for individual tenants and homeowners who want to rent their homes to guests.
Under the new rules, private home owners can apply for a holiday home licence without the need to go through an approved Dubai Tourism operator providing they meet all criteria, as can tenants who are renting a property.
Under the agreement, Airbnb will co-operate with Dubai Tourism on preventing breaches of the regulation by informing all host members of the rules via its website and through email reminders.
The two parties will also explore joint marketing and promotional activity for Dubai as a tourism destination.
There are almost 3,500 Airbnb listings in Dubai – a figure which has doubled since last year.
Dubai Tourism director general, Helal Saeed Almarri, said: “In keeping with global demand trends and a highly digitised market place for key enablers of tourism infrastructure, we are pleased to partner with Airbnb, a pioneer in this space, to help promote diverse accommodation options to our visitors in a safe, secure and controlled manner.
“This not only lets us be more competitive as a tourism destination but also speaks to our ability as government to drive demand led policy making and embrace innovation to further our proposition.
“Ultimately visitor experience is at the heart of initiatives undertaken by Dubai Tourism and this is one such example of how we continue to partner with the private and public sector to deliver against our destination promise.”
Airbnb in EMEA managing director, Olivier Gremillon, added: “Airbnb is good news for Dubai. It helps grow and diversify tourism, increase consumer choice and will attract new guests to this exciting destination.
“This partnership with Dubai Tourism will combine the dynamism of Dubai with the passionate hosts who open their doors; creating rewarding travel experiences for guests.
“This is just the start of our partnership and we look forward to the future and the many opportunities it holds for travellers.”