The head of the Bristol Hoteliers Association is urging Bristol City Council to create Airbnb exclusion zones to protect jobs and hotels in the city.
Imran Ali says Bristol is being “much too slow” when it comes to regulating and policing the “global phenomenon” of Airbnb - and will "suffer" if nothing is done to regulate it.
There were 21,000 Airbnb listings in the South West in 2017 - thousands of which are in Bristol - and Mr Ali believes the online property platform is presenting unfair competition and putting jobs at risk.
He is now tabling proposals with Bristol City Council which he wants to see put in place as soon as possible.
He said: “Not only do these properties not pay business rates but lack the required level of fire, health and safety standards.
His proposals include an option for residents to implement exclusion zones based on city ward boundaries.
Only once 80 per cent of residents in the zone are happy for owners to let their property on Airbnb should a licence be granted by the council, says Mr Ali.
This would also be on the provision that the property can only be let a maximum of 170 days per year. Any property owner that is granted a licence would then have to pay business rates based on size of property and declare their interests with HMRC.
Mr Ali also wants it to be mandatory for Airbnb to provide all listed properties to the council so it can keep a track of numbers, licences and payment of letting rates.
He added: “We’re happy for competition however it has to be on a level playing field. If nothing is done, hotels and B&Bs will suffer.
“It goes without saying that the local job market will also see a decline due to less services being needed.