New licensing system for short term lets could cost the Scottish economy £133m

A new BiGGAR Economics analysis undertaken for Airbnb has highlighted the potential adverse economic impacts that could result from the new short term let licensing system being introduced in Scotland. The hit to the economy could be as much as £133m, putting more than 7,000 jobs at risk.

For more details, see https://www.airbnb.co.uk/d/biggarairbnbreport

Graeme Blackett, Director of BiGGAR Economic, said: “Amid the combined economic shocks of the pandemic and the rising cost of living, our analysis reveals the potential negative economic impacts that new short-term let licensing could have. Stringent and complex licensing systems could discourage ordinary Scottish families from hosting. This diminished accommodation supply would increase prices, reducing the competitiveness of the Scottish tourism sector and crucial guest spending in beleaguered sectors like hospitality.”