Colombia. The Hotel and Tourism Association- Cotelco celebrates the measure announced by the Superintendence of Industry and Commerce (SIC) that launches the implementation of the inspection and surveillance method to protect those who make use of the tourist housing services offered through web platforms without complying with the regulations that regulate this type of accommodation.
The National Executive President of Cotelco, Gustavo Toro, said that as a union that defends the interests of the hotel and tourism sector in the country, the Government has been insisting on the need for these illegal offers, promoted by these technological platforms, to be regulated and operate under the same rules of the game as hotels.
"All these platforms that offer accommodation services without any control, in establishments that do not comply with Colombian regulations, do not guarantee the safety of guests, nor the quality of the spaces they sell. In short, contrary to contributing to the country, they generate a detriment to tourist destinations and industry," Toro said.
Cotelco has reiterated its position stating that the objective is not that these platforms disappear or are prohibited, but that the establishments that are advertised in them assume the same responsibilities of the legal establishments and that they comply fully for the good of the country. It is unfair that Colombian businessmen, who have made a commitment to the productive development of the nation, are at a disadvantage in the face of informality.
According to the official information of the SIC, thanks to the measures adopted, the entity carried out the search for these online platforms, finding 30 pages that advertise these services such as: Booking, Atrápalo, Airbnb, among others and explains that visits were made to these pages identifying the natural and legal persons that offer the rental service of apartments or properties for tourist housing in the main cities of the country.
Given the positive decision of the SIC, Cotelco assured that it is willing to help in the identification of the hosting services that are marketed through online platforms.
"Not only is the industry affected, but these platforms do not pay taxes in the country and are not even based in Colombia to meet the requirements of the authorities and users. That is why we celebrate and insist to the other institutions of the National Government on the need to generate the respective control of these offers and level the playing field with those who are contributing to the socioeconomic development of the country. So today we applaud the measures taken by the Superintendence and we hope to have more support to follow one of the pillars of President Iván Duque, legality," concluded Dr. Gustavo Toro.
As connoisseurs and experts in tourism issues, Cotelco offers the SIC the support it requires to promote quality criteria, the protection of consumer rights, prevent citizens from being deceived and fight against the informality that may occur in this sector.
