Thousands of Airbnb and Agoda Listings Face Removal from August 2026 Over Licensing Issues
The Indonesian Ministry of Tourism has taken decisive action to regulate the tourism accommodation industry. A total of 1,600 unlicensed accommodation operators face delisting from Online Travel Agent (OTA) platforms such as Airbnb and Agoda from 1 August 2026. The government is implementing this measure to establish a more organised, safe, and sustainable tourism management system. The policy targets all short-term rental types, including villas, guesthouses, and homestays operating without proper legal status.
Property owners have been given a two-month deadline to apply for business permits via the Online Single Submission (OSS) system. If they fail to present valid licensing proof by 1 August 2026, OTAs will be required to remove their listings. A ministry spokesperson stated on Tuesday (26 May), “If they cannot process their new permits within these two months, they will unfortunately be delisted from 1 August 2026.”
The crackdown is not intended to restrict business but to ensure industry standards are met. Key points include protecting tourists by ensuring accommodations meet safety standards, guaranteeing all operators contribute to national and regional tax revenues, and creating a fair business environment between conventional hotels and digital accommodation providers.
For owners without permits, the government advises registering for a Business Identification Number (NIB) with the appropriate Indonesian Standard Industrial Classification (KBLI) code for tourism accommodation, ensuring property data is integrated with government systems, and promptly updating legal status on OTA partner accounts to avoid automatic removal via API-linked government databases.
The ministry has noted a positive trend with a 46.5% increase in NIB registrations, particularly in the villa sector. It hopes this initiative will establish a new standard for Indonesia’s tourism sector, enhancing its professionalism and credibility among domestic and international travellers.