More than 300 offers of lodging in private homes are being promoted through online platforms within the framework of the collaborative economy, a model that links users with services provided by the land owners.
Faced with this growing presence in Mexico and in the state panorama, the Federal Competition Commission (Cofece) considers that these offerings are sound and offer better conditions to decide.
In this type of type of accommodation, travelers can buy a night in a room in a modest house or space in a luxurious hacienda or beach house.
This trend is part of the so-called collaborative services economy such as those provided in the case of transport options Uber, Cabify, and Ryde and Go, and Airbnb in accommodations sector. It refers to giving access to goods or services that would otherwise be underutilized.
Visitors to Merida and Yucatan are using a variety of online platforms to book rooms in private homes. (PHOTO: sipse.com)
This tool allows you to refine your search for any city in the world, indicate if you require a home, full apartment, private room or shared room. Rates range from 190 to 20,000 pesos. According to the site, the average price is 2,432 pesos. It also warns that the amount can vary by adding taxes.
“The issue is an interesting debate, although Mexico has not taken off, but is similar to the theme of Companies in Transport Networks, in some parts of the world it has generated tension, insomuch that requirements have been created to defend the hotels. For example you can use these digital platforms, only if you reserve more than certain days or longer stays, measures that are remarkably anti-competitive,” said Alejandro Faya, head of the Planning Unit, Liaison and International Affairs of the Federal Commission on Economic Competition (Cofece).
He stressed that tools like Airbnb are new, efficient, benefiting the consumer and diversify the competition, but as temporary accommodation service are different than hotels with a different legal treatment for leases of short duration.
“It is important that the use of these platforms are not restricted in an effort to protect other economic operators already operating or offering a similar service.
“We must increase the options available to the consumer and adjust as necessary. This does not mean that these platforms and businesses are subject to the same laws as everyone else, as competition laws that apply to traditional sectors and associated services technologies,” he said.
Source: sipse.com
