As the summer season winds down, many South Africans are looking for cheap deals on last-minute holidays. File Picture Short-term rentals have become an increasingly important part of South Africa’s tourism ecosystem, particularly in popular destinations and urban centres where demand for flexible and diverse accommodation options continues to grow.
Image: File picture
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has invited the public and tourism industry stakeholders to comment on a proposed Draft Code of Good Practice aimed at guiding the fast-growing short-term rental market, including home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb.
The draft code, which has been gazetted for public comment, is intended to provide guidance on responsible conduct in the short-term rental sector while government reviews broader tourism legislation.
The proposal is issued under Chapter 2 of the Tourism Act 3 of 2014, which empowers the Minister of Tourism to publish Codes of Good Practice to guide behaviour relating to tourism services, facilities and products.
According to the department, the code aims to support the objectives of the Tourism Act by promoting the development and growth of sustainable tourism that benefits the country, its residents and international visitors.
Short-term rentals have become an increasingly important part of South Africa’s tourism ecosystem, particularly in popular destinations and urban centres where demand for flexible and diverse accommodation options continues to grow.
De Lille said platforms such as Airbnb and other home-sharing services have expanded accommodation choices beyond traditional hotels and guesthouses, while also providing additional income opportunities for property owners and small businesses.
“Short-Term Rentals, including home-sharing platforms, have become a growing and established feature of South Africa’s tourism landscape,” she said.
“By expanding accommodation options beyond traditional hotels, Short-Term Rentals support geographic spread, enable more travellers to access diverse destinations, and create additional income opportunities for households and small property owners.”
However, the growth of short-term rental accommodation has also raised policy and governance questions, particularly around zoning, neighbourhood impacts, safety standards and fair competition with established hospitality businesses.
The minister said the draft code is intended to provide interim guidance to the industry while government considers more comprehensive policy reforms.
Following consultations and legal advice, the department decided that introducing a Code of Good Practice would be the most appropriate immediate step, as the current legislation does not grant the minister direct regulatory authority over the sector.
The Tourism Act does not empower the Minister of Tourism to regulate Short-Term Rentals.
Instead, many of the regulatory issues linked to short-term rentals fall under the jurisdiction of municipalities, particularly when it comes to land use, zoning and local planning.
Under the Constitution, local government is the primary authority responsible for municipal planning decisions. As a result, municipalities may choose to use the proposed code as a guiding framework when dealing with short-term rental activities in their areas.
The initiative comes at a time when the Department of Tourism is preparing to review the Tourism Act following Cabinet’s approval of the 2024 White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa.
The legislative review will assess several policy gaps within the tourism sector, including the rapid rise of short-term rental accommodation and the need for clearer governance frameworks.
“The Department of Tourism is in the process of reviewing the Tourism Act following Cabinet’s approval of the 2024 White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa,” De Lille said.
“The review focuses on various aspects in the tourism sector including policy gaps like Short-Term Rentals. Whilst this process is underway, I have resolved to find an interim solution that will guide STRs, given the urgent need for guidance.”
The Draft Code of Good Practice is therefore intended to serve as a transitional measure that promotes responsible practices within the sector while policy reforms are being developed.
The department said the consultation process reflects its commitment to transparency and inclusive policymaking, encouraging participation from industry stakeholders, community organisations and members of the public.
Interested parties are invited to review the draft code and submit written comments during the 60-day public consultation period and all submissions will be reviewed and considered before the code is refined and finalised for implementation.
Written comments must be submitted to the Department of Tourism by 12 May 2026.
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