Short-term rentals: A national data collection is needed
The Swiss Data Alliance is in favor of a motion calling for a better data basis for short-term rentals in Switzerland.
Motion 24.4165 by National Councillor Jacqueline de Quattro called for the creation of a digital infrastructure to collect and exchange data on short-term rentals in order to prevent unfair competition and a worsening of the housing shortage. The Federal Council rejected this and referred to existing cantonal initiatives and the principle of subsidiarity.
The Swiss Data Alliance sees the benefits of centralized, national data collection and data infrastructure. Together with Prof. Roland Schegg from the Institute of Tourism at the HES-SO Valais/Wallis, it has compiled a series of arguments in favor of the motion:
Insufficient data at national level
The Federal Council refers to experimental statistics from the Federal Statistical Office and cantonal initiatives such as the Valais Tourism Observatory. However, these approaches only provide a fragmented overview and do not cover the full extent of short-term rentals in Switzerland. A national data collection is necessary to obtain a comprehensive and consistent picture, which is essential for well-founded political decisions.Subsidiarity principle and federal cooperation
Although the Federal Council emphasizes the principle of subsidiarity, a digital infrastructure provided by the federal government could help the cantons and municipalities to tackle their specific challenges more effectively. A centralized system would make it easier for local authorities to access relevant data, allow comparisons with other regions and at the same time respect the autonomy of the cantons.International developments and competitiveness
In spring 2024, the European Union adopted a regulation on the short-term rental of accommodation that provides for a data protection-compliant digital infrastructure for data collection and exchange between online platforms and authorities. Organizations such as HOTREC welcome these measures and are calling for their implementation in all member states. Without comparable regulations, Switzerland risks falling behind in international competition and allowing potential market distortions.Need for a national strategy
The challenges associated with short-term rentals not only affect individual cantons, but also have a nationwide impact on the housing market and tourism. A national strategy, supported by centralized data collection, would enable coherent and effective measures.Insufficient granularity of current data
The experimental statistics mentioned by the Federal Council, which are provided to Eurostat once a year by the booking platforms (Airbnb, Booking, etc.), only offer a rough overview of national trends. This aggregated data is insufficient for answering local and regional questions, as it does not provide detailed insights into specific areas. It is also crucial to link data on short-term rentals with information on the development of the housing market. Only by combining these data sets can the impact of short-term rentals on the availability and pricing of housing be fully understood. Without such a link, the analysis remains superficial and does not provide a reliable basis for policy measures.Challenges in data provision by private actors at national level
There are concerns about the willingness of private actors to share data without a strong legal basis. Many regional and national companies in the short-term rental sector generate revenue through the sale of data and may therefore be reluctant to provide it voluntarily and free of charge. Without a clear legal obligation, it is unlikely that these players will provide the necessary data for a comprehensive analysis of the short-term rental market.Synergies with the motion to standardize the registration system in the accommodation sector
Motion 21.4426 by Andrea Gmür-Schönenberger, member of the Council of States, calls for the digitalization and standardization of registration forms in the accommodation sector in order to reduce bureaucracy and optimize processes. Jacqueline de Quattro's motion aims in a similar direction with its call for a digital infrastructure to collect data on short-term rentals. In both areas, a national data infrastructure could create considerable synergies and simplifications for all stakeholders involved - the private sector, authorities and tourists. In addition, the data collected in the registration certificate system would be central to the data pool on short-term rentals, as it provides valuable information on accommodation activities.
For a more effective accommodation policy
A centralized, national data collection and infrastructure is crucial to making informed policy decisions. It therefore makes sense to support the creation of such an infrastructure at a national level to ensure data-driven and effective short-term rental policy. Many of the stakeholders involved would like to have uniform access to accommodation data - including HESTA, short-term rentals and registration certificates - via a single service provided by the Confederation in order to pool resources and increase efficiency.
