True, they are usually just doing it on the cheap to cover some basic expenses and for their friends benefit not for income. Sad but the reality is S's too busy whining about the rental services like they are something new when they have been around for decades. He's also whining about spending less than $85 a day in prime season in the south in Winter when the price goes up from $50 and especially it seems that people want to make money on their investment. Well if he isn't the cheap skate as he contends and he hates people trying to make money .... then it's option 2. He's right that there are areas that tourism is a big part of the economy, didn't know about the taxes & don't care, it is great they do but his goal seems to be to hate on people and services that are benefiting them while they're trying to earn that money in the area that needs it by offering a rental at more than a discount/cheap price ...
Services offer exposure, handle bookings, payment, track revenue and some of the expenses.... they are convenient and reasonable (other than AirBNB (due to their support of delusional Docs against firearms)) and even have feedback and screening... hating on them is like people hating on someone using any service that saves time and offers value... ah well, it is kind of fun pointing out his failures and asking him questions he won't answer but enough time wasted and sadly he likely won't get it anyway.
Anyway, the province put a kill on it too this summer it looks like... people and businesses not making money, maybe he will be happy.
https://cottagelife.com/realestate/r...=48055e2b2eppU
"On April 4, the Ontario government amended the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act, banning short-term rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the amendment states that “Every person who provides short term rentals in rental accommodations shall ensure that any rentals booked after April 4, 2020 are only provided to individuals who are in need of housing during the emergency period.”"