Airbnb lauded the Malaysian Government under the economic stimulus packages for several key incentives for businesses in the tourism industry, proposing to extend them to short-term accommodation (STRA) hosts.

“This is considering the significant role STRA hosts both individuals and small and medium-sized enterprises play in driving Malaysia’s tourism industry,” Airbnb Public Policy (Southeast Asia) head, Mich Goh said in a statement.

She cited the key incentives for a postponement of tax payments from 1 April to 31 December 2020; the Tourism Fund PENJANA Facility of RM1 billion (PTF) for funding transformation initiatives of the sector; one-off RM600 payment and personal income tax relief of RM1 thousand concerning the domestic expenditure related to tourism until December 2021.

Airbnb also suggested that Airbnb bookings be made using digital vouchers up to RM100, which were given to all Malaysians for domestic tourism.

The online market also recommended that the government extends the loan repayment moratorium to at least December 2020 because many of the Airbnb hosts affected rely on book income to pay their mortgage.

Goh also said that the specific incentive is given to players, in particular, the e-hailing industry was a good initiative, which should be extended to Airbnb hosts by the government.

“Airbnb is committed to supporting the Malaysian government in weathering the health and economic crisis and taking care of its community of Malaysian hosts, many of whom are ordinary individuals and micro hospitality entrepreneurs, and guests,” she said. 

Airbnb has implemented its Situation Management Policy globally since the beginning of the global pandemic, which allows guests and hosts to cancel reservations free of charge.