It’s a basic principle of economics that price controls negatively affect supply. But apparently that did not occur to the BC government when they decided to clamp down on Airbnb entrepreneurs. That, combined with the tapped out marginal consumer saying no to outrageous hotel and restaurant prices, is having some unpleasant effects.

Kelowna Boat Rentals has been booked solid in past years from July through August, but this year is different.

“Business has definitely been a little down this year. I think it’s mostly because of that Airbnb ban. That seems to be it. It’s kind of a ghost town down here compared to usual,” said Tom Entwistle, manager at Kelowna Boat Rentals.

“Last year was slightly slower, but we were still pretty much fully booked every day, and then this year we are at about 70 per cent capacity during the weekdays,” said Entwistle.