Minuto30.com .- The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has taken a firm step towards the formalization of the digital tourism sector in Colombia with the publication of a draft decree that seeks to regulate accommodation platforms that operate irregularly from abroad, such as Airbnb and Booking.

The proposed regulations seek to establish a clear legal framework that will force the operators of these platforms to register and formally register in the National Tourism Registry (RNT). This represents a significant advance in the modernization and formalization of tourism in the country.

Transparency and Data Control

The decree not only seeks formalization, but also guarantees transparency and state control. It obliges platforms to ensure the adequate storage of users’ personal data.

Furthermore, it requires that, although the platforms operate from abroad, they must facilitate access and provision of this information to the Colombian authorities to allow greater oversight by the State.

Semiannual Commitment to the RNT

One of the key requirements of the new regulation is that the platforms must ensure on a semiannual basis that the tourism service providers that offer accommodation through their channels are registered and in active status in the RNT.

This requirement seeks to guarantee a fairer and more protected market for tourists and for legal suppliers who already comply with all regulations.

The Colombian Association of Travel and Tourism Agencies (ANATO) highlighted the importance of this initiative, since they believe that with this regulation they will seek to ensure that the entire tourism sector, without exceptions, complies with the regulations established in the country.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

The draft decree warns that platforms that do not comply with the established regulations will face severe sanctions. Among them, the possibility of their services being blocked in the national territory.