To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail the number of Airbnb properties available for rent in Northern Ireland, broken down by constituency.

By way of background, the Tourism (NI) Order 1992 is the legislative framework which governs the operation of visitor accommodation in Northern Ireland. It requires that all overnight tourist accommodation, offered by way of trade or business, is subject to compulsory inspection and certification to ensure that the accommodation complies with statutory minimum standards. Tourism NI is the body responsible for administering this scheme.

The purpose of the statutory regulation arrangements is to ensure that all tourist accommodation in Northern Ireland complies with basic requirements in terms of the nature, character, extent and standard of accommodation and facilities. This includes accommodation which is advertised on marketing platforms such as Airbnb.

Tourism NI has engaged with Airbnb officials who have adapted the ‘Responsible Hosting’ section on their website to take account of Northern Ireland’s certification scheme. This section states clearly that it is prohibited to provide or offer to provide tourist accommodation as a business unless there is a valid certificate issued by Tourism NI in force in respect of the premises.

Tourism NI holds information on the number of certified properties by category and council area but does not hold information on which marketing platforms accommodation providers choose to promote their property.

Tourism NI also works in partnership with local authorities on the management and promotion of legislative requirements outside of the minimum standards legislation. For example, in relation to Fire Safety, Building Control regulations, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour.