Sir, – Lisa Leahy (August 13th) wrote a very good letter concerning Airbnb and her experience of using it to stay in New York while visiting her daughter. I fully understand how useful a service this is for people who wish to visit cities while not having to pay the usual hotel rates.
Unfortunately she does not take into consideration the employment of workers in the hospitality sector. Hotels and guesthouses employ people and have to pay PRSI and income tax while adhering to a health and safety standard, all of which cost money. Airbnb does not have the same costs.
Supplementing income with income is rightly taxable, otherwise people who operate legitimately would have to compete on a different playing pitch.
This is not about the guests’ enjoyment of the accommodation but levelling the playing field so businesses that have to pay tax, and so on, can operate for the benefit of all, including their employees.
Of course, it is also about Revenue generating income wherever it can! – Yours, etc,
PATRICK CLEARY,
Dublin 18.
Sir, – To Airbnb is human; to tax-forgive would be divine. – Yours, etc,
PATRICK O’BYRNE,
Phibsborough,
Dublin 7.