Committee probes short-stay accommodation

Tourists should be banned from booking residential properties as accommodation unless the owner is living there, a West Australian parliamentary inquiry has been told.

The Economics and Industry Standing Committee is examining the regulation of short-stay accommodation.

WA Tourism Council chief executive Evan Hall told the inquiry on Wednesday that Airbnb and similar websites made the industry an uneven playing field, and people should only be allowed to offer their primary residence.

"We would certainly prefer that the host was there," he said.

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin told the inquiry there was increased pressure on housing due to his state's soft approach to Airbnb regulation.

Airbnb and Expedia will give evidence next week.

The committee has received almost 300 submissions from organisations and the public, including from other jurisdictions.