Hotel service applications will be regularized

Ecuadonews:

The arrival of international mobile applications such as Airbnb or Home Away has become a threat to certain local business groups. Not only taxi companies complain about the existence of platforms like Uber or Cabify; the hotel industry does it too. They fear losing customers in a competition they denounce is unfair.

The result? A smaller market to share, which in the last six years, for this and other reasons has decreased from 52% to 47%.  Although it is a worldwide trend, says President of the Hotel Association of Guayas (Ahotegu) Carlos Cruz, these companies must be regularized and work in the same conditions. “Those firms do not pay taxes. We pay taxes and permits. These gentlemen simply do not pay or comply with any of that.”

It is estimated that the search for low-cost accommodation is already affecting 10% of the market. They admit that the preference of particular users for these applications is due to the high costs of the hotels, a situation they try to change by promoting promotional packages and offers.(I)

Source: http://www.expreso.ec/economia/economia-aplicaciones-hoteleros-turismo-ecuador-AF1700064