Ahead of the Budget announcement, Airbnb has listed out its budget wishlist and several policy recommendations for the Government's consideration, including recognising the potential of the sharing economy in the hospitality sector

In a statement the platforms Director of Public Policy Asia Pacific Mich Goh said the sharing economy, particularly in the hospitality sector, plays a key role in Malaysia's tourism recovery, as an important means of supplemental income as well as
providing accommodation options that caters to diverse travelers' needs. She said Airbnb has been providing industry feedback to the relevant authorities to support the formulation of the national short-term rental accommodation (STRA) guidelines.

"We encourage the federal government to support and endorse the guidelines, which will be the first of its kind in Southeast Asia and showcase Malaysia's dynamism to embrace innovation to spur the tourism industry".

Promoting a fair and practical review of the Tourism Industry Act 1992 (TIA): Mich Goh said the platform welcomes the review of the TIA and encourage the government to adopt balanced regulations while avoiding unnecessary restrictions that may hinder growth and innovation. Airbnb stands ready to collaborate with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) to provide valuable input in their review of the TIA to ensure a practical regulatory framework that supports sustainable tourism development without stifling the sector's potential.

To ensure that all accommodation providers benefit equally, Airbnb calls for key incentives currently available only to traditional tourism players—such as grants and travel incentives—to be extended to STRA hosts (individuals and SMEs) to greater foster economic empowerment and promote a more inclusive recovery.

It also encourages the government to explore initiatives that enable Malaysians to offset the cost of purchasing their first homes through income earned via STRA activities. Special financing schemes in collaboration with financial institutions could help young homeowners leverage their hosting income to alleviate financial burdens.

Mich Sais, Airbnb looks forward to the tabling of the Budget 2025 and hope that Airbnb and our community can continue to contribute the collective efforts in propelling Malaysia's tourism industry forward to a more sustainable future.