Regulating the Sharing Economy

26.3.2015

Question for written answer E-004794-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dubravka Šuica (PPE)

The ‘Sharing Economy’ is a trend that emerged 10 years ago as a new way of doing business and generating revenue. It was created in response to the development of technology, the Internet, social media and the desire of individuals to secure additional income in times of crisis. It bypasses traditional economic institutions and creates a relationship between supply and demand of time, services and assets, all based on the principles of cooperation, solidarity and reciprocity. Today we see that the sharing economy represents an important market component with a share of an estimated USD 110 billion per year and an important source of income in the areas of tourism, fashion, media, transportation and various services.

Since I come from a country involved in tourism, I am particularly interested in how the Commission plans to resolve the issue of the still unequal regulations between the hotel sector and ‘rental platforms’ which work on the principle of the sharing economy.