Had a quick look for a thread but couldn't find one.
The issues around the emerging internet 'disruptive' industries and technologies is interesting and complex. Was going to start and AirBnB AND Uber thread but they are different beasts. I use Uber all the time, hate cabs even more now. While I'm a bit uncomfortable with Uber profits heading offshore, I personally believe the Cab industry has dug its own grave by being a closed shop with highly questionable political links and business practices. Uber is the roost up the arse that had to happen. They will adjust and improve and start to compete IMO.
AirBnB is a bit different. Spent a week last week doing a road tour of western Vic with my partner. Spent a few days with the folks in Ballarat before heading off, Grampians, Warnambool, Apollo Bay, Melbourne. It was great. Stayed in one AirBnB in Apollo Bay. Got there in the evening 5pm, started scoping a place to stay. Asked at a motel, very small but clean room no view for $120, checked a couple of other options, . Went to the pub for a drink and my partner got on AirBnB, she found a pretty big self contained unit with a view, and a giant spa, and 2 free beers in the fridge!, for $110. Obviously we went the latter.
Got me thinking though, the couple running the hotel seemed really nice, (as were the airBnB people), they would pay more regulatory fees that would go to the state, (ie us), rather than a US company. 2 or 3 years ago we wouldn't have considered or been able to AirBnB, the motel couple would have got our $$. In some cases I think AirBnB will force the adjustment of falsely inflated prices, (like Uber and Taxis), but sometimes not. Small business people would have purchased a motel in good faith pre-AirBnB and would be impacted, not that there is anything new there, that's capitalism and market fluidity. I know a couple of people with houses close to town, Bris and Melb, who have stuck a kitchenette in, and are renting a studio, they are suddenly $15-30K pa better off, that will impact lifestyles and property prices. Like any rapid change, its complex.
I think things will adjust and work out over time, accommodation will be less government regulated and more self-regulated and market driven, everything will be on AirBnB or similar sites. But in the short term, its highly disruptive to people's lives, both good and bad.
The issues around the emerging internet 'disruptive' industries and technologies is interesting and complex. Was going to start and AirBnB AND Uber thread but they are different beasts. I use Uber all the time, hate cabs even more now. While I'm a bit uncomfortable with Uber profits heading offshore, I personally believe the Cab industry has dug its own grave by being a closed shop with highly questionable political links and business practices. Uber is the roost up the arse that had to happen. They will adjust and improve and start to compete IMO.
AirBnB is a bit different. Spent a week last week doing a road tour of western Vic with my partner. Spent a few days with the folks in Ballarat before heading off, Grampians, Warnambool, Apollo Bay, Melbourne. It was great. Stayed in one AirBnB in Apollo Bay. Got there in the evening 5pm, started scoping a place to stay. Asked at a motel, very small but clean room no view for $120, checked a couple of other options, . Went to the pub for a drink and my partner got on AirBnB, she found a pretty big self contained unit with a view, and a giant spa, and 2 free beers in the fridge!, for $110. Obviously we went the latter.
Got me thinking though, the couple running the hotel seemed really nice, (as were the airBnB people), they would pay more regulatory fees that would go to the state, (ie us), rather than a US company. 2 or 3 years ago we wouldn't have considered or been able to AirBnB, the motel couple would have got our $$. In some cases I think AirBnB will force the adjustment of falsely inflated prices, (like Uber and Taxis), but sometimes not. Small business people would have purchased a motel in good faith pre-AirBnB and would be impacted, not that there is anything new there, that's capitalism and market fluidity. I know a couple of people with houses close to town, Bris and Melb, who have stuck a kitchenette in, and are renting a studio, they are suddenly $15-30K pa better off, that will impact lifestyles and property prices. Like any rapid change, its complex.
I think things will adjust and work out over time, accommodation will be less government regulated and more self-regulated and market driven, everything will be on AirBnB or similar sites. But in the short term, its highly disruptive to people's lives, both good and bad.
