12/05/2026
Code of Good Practice DUE TODAY !
Action to be taken by You
Deadline : 4pm, Tuesday, 12 May 2026
Email your comments to : [email protected]
CC Email : [email protected] (for your response to be recorded)
Email Heading :
Public Comment : Code of Good Practice for Short Term Rentals in the Tourism Sector
Copy the following to your Email Body and Edit if required :
I welcome the intention and spirit of the Code of Good Practice (COGP) with its objectives to standardize a good quality of accommodation provision and experience for Short Term Rentals (STR) in South Africa.
Short Term Rentals as reported to contribute to 50% of all accommodation in South Africa, operated by around 50,000 Hosts, with over 200,000 employees. SASTRA’s 2025 Hosts Survey indicated that 80% of these Hosts are female, and more than 70% of Hosts are not Full-Time employed.
I welcome;
• that the COGP recognises the beneficial impact the Short Term Rental sector can have on the immediate communities within which they operate.
• the objectives of the Code of Good Practice (COGP) to standardise;
o the level of service provided by Hosts in South Africa
o the manner in which Guests should behave when staying in our stablishments/communities
o how the digital platforms can support both the Host and the Guest in having a positive experience.
• Guidelines and standards that can be applied nationally at local government and municipal levels.
Comments and Concerns
• STR’s already operate within a regulated environment when considering the tax, employment, business, property use by-laws, and other laws within South Africa. The COGP must aim to complement these and not create confusion or conflict with these existing laws.
• THE COGP is ‘non-binding’ and voluntary … immediately raising questions to its ability to be impactful or achieve its objectives.
• The COGP refers to itself as an ‘interim measure’ referencing legislation that is expected to be released in the near future. This further weakens the COGP.
• THE COGP offers no means or indication of ex*****on, measurement of take up, or measures for STR’s that do not meet expectations.
• The COGP does not indicate how a COGP for the STR industry would align to other accommodation types.
Suggestions & Proposals
With the aim to support the Department of Tourism’s intentions and spirit of the COGP;
• The Department of Tourism should work with the STR industry to;
o translate the COGP into practical standards and guidelines for STR’s and Guests.
o develop the COGP into a tool that is able to be implemented and impactful
o to develop a mechanism to encourage the take up of the COGP.
Regards,
