Policies for the tourism sharing economy

This chapter discusses what the growth of the sharing economy means for the tourism sector and assesses key policy implications. The rapid growth of peer-to-peer and shared usage platforms is creating new marketplaces in areas as diverse as transportation, accommodation, travel and dining experiences. These developments present opportunities for governments to re-think how tourists experience their country and how citizens can benefit from participating in the sharing economy, but also pose challenges for established operators and raise broader policy questions in areas such as consumer protection, taxation and regulation. In a complex, fast-moving environment, it is imperative that tourism policy makers quickly grasp the key issues surrounding the sharing economy and position their jurisdictions for success. This chapter is intended to provide a starting point in that regard and offer guidance to policy makers on how to move forward.