Email Correspondence re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

From: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 12:32:50 PM To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

Hi Don,

Here is some data that reflects the positive economic impact of Airbnb and STR hosting across the Capital Regional District, all adhering to the provincial regulations. If you have specific questions or if there are other data points you'd like, please let me know!

Economic Impact in BC (2024 numbers, we should have 2025 data by end of Q1):

• Airbnb travel generated $2.7B in economic benefits across BC in 2024
• For every Airbnb stay, guests spent an additional $905 per trip on other goods and services such as local businesses, restaurants, attractions, shops, and more.
• Airbnb activity supported more than 23,000 jobs across the province
• British Columbian Hosts on the platform generated approximately $89 million in taxes in 2024
• 45% of guests in Victoria, and over 50% of guests in Langford, said their trip could not have been accommodated by a hotel

Host Profiles: Victoria & Westshore

• Hosting enables local residents to meet the rising cost of living and stay in their home
  • In Victoria, 63% of hosts say hosting on Airbnb has helped them stay in their home;
  • In Langford, 67% of hosts say hosting on Airbnb allows them to meet the rising cost of living.
• The typical host earns $14,000 CAD annually

Airbnb & Neighbourhoods

At Airbnb we are committed to building effective tools and policies to support community safety, responsible travel, and thriving neighbourhoods. Since 2020, we have implemented:

• 24/7 Neighbourhood Support Line
• Global ban on disruptive parties
• Over 50% decrease in party reports to us globally since 2020

Best, Kim

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On Thu, Jan 22, 2026 at 8:34 AM Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca wrote:

Tgank you

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From: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2026 8:32:56 AM To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

Good to know! I will put some information together for you and get it over to you next week.

Kim

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On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 10:03 AM Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca wrote:

Okay. We also passed a motion to add an item onto our next committee of the whole meeting in February about short term (vacation) rentals. There was a fellow at our meeting named Kelly (don’t recall his last name) who made a presentation and is supposed to send us some numbers from the AIr B and B Assocuaion. Any info you can send me would be helpful

Cheers

Don Brown

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From: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 8:12:53 AM To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

That's great news, thanks for letting me know!

If you receive inquiries from residents looking to host, we keep this page on hosting in BC up to date with guidelines around the provincial regulations: https://www.airbnb.ca/help/article/2726

And let me know if we can support any broader conversations around STRs in View Royal.

Cheers, Kim

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On Wed, Jan 21, 2026 at 7:22 AM Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca wrote:

My motion to have a period of non enforcement of the sections of our Zoning Bylaw regarding Vacation (short term rentals properties for the months of June and July 2026 passed at our Council meeting last night.

Cheers

Don Brown Councillor Town of View Royal

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From: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2025 2:37 PM To: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Subject: Re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

That would be useful for me to share with our Planning Department. Thank you.

Cheers

Don Brown

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From: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Sent: Thursday, December 11, 2025 4:28:14 PM To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Subject: Re: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

Hi Don,

That's great news! We had put together the following package with some general guidelines and recommendations for municipalities looking at Major Event Exemptions, which may be helpful as the bylaw amendment is put together. It's a resource we are happy to connect further about, or provide more specifics to View Royal's situation.

Cheers, Kim

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On Tue, Dec 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca wrote:

My motion passed unanimously. There will be a zoning bylaw amendment to allow short term rentals from June 1–July 31, 2026. After that we will be duscussing making this something more permanent.

Cheers

Don Brown

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From: Kim Howson kim.howson@airbnb.com Sent: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 11:23:05 AM To: Don Brown dbrown@viewroyal.ca Subject: Support for World Cup STR Event Exemption

You don't often get email from kim.howson@airbnb.com. Learn why this is important

Hi Councillor Brown,

I hope this email finds you well! My name is Kim and I lead Airbnb's public policy work here in BC (based in Victoria). I saw the news of how View Royal is considering an Event Exemption for the FIFA World Cup. I would be happy to provide some background material and recommendations on how we have seen these come together in other jurisdictions; and to discuss how else we could support this initiative.

Thanks! Kim

-- Kim Howson Policy, Western Canada