Ms Forte manages the Port Macquarie Motel and says business certainly is tough at the moment.

"The bookings are drastically down," she said.

She identifies the growth of Airbnb in Port Macquarie as one of the factors in the downturn.

"They are just popping up everywhere," she said.

Ms Forte believes it is not a fair playing field because "Airbnb is not regulated".

"Council comes here and does regular inspections, we need health and safety, insurance and so forth," she said.

"I'd like to see them more regulated."

Short-term Holiday Letting - including Airbnb - is currently unregulated in NSW.

However, in 2018 the NSW Government did impose a 180-day cap on the number of days empty properties can be rented out by Airbnb in Sydney.

Currently there is no cap in Port Macquarie but such a policy amendment is now possible under the whole-of-government framework for Short-Term Holiday Letting in NSW.

A cap would be imposed at the discretion of Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.

As regional councils grapple with the issue, this month (September) Southern Cross University researchers in conjunction with the North Coast Destination Network released a survey into the issue, calling for residents to share their views on the North Coast.

General manager of the North Coast Destination Network Michael Thurston believes the survey is "timely" because of the state government's focus on Airbnb.

The tourism agency for the North Coast doesn't have a position on Airbnb but acknowledges there are different views in the community.

"We believe it is vitally important to provide this research to councils, timely robust data on the issue," Mr Thurston said.

"We appreciate the sector has a lot of positives for the community, increased visitation, economic impacts, increased employments.

"We also appreciate it can have an impact on housing affordability, motels and residents living on other properties as well."

Port Macquarie resident Neroli Reid rents her investment property through Airbnb.

"They leave the place beautifully," Ms Reid said.

"It is better for the property upkeep than renting.

"You write a review of them and they write a review of you so there is importance on leaving the place looking nice."

She said it would be disappointing if a cap was introduced in Port Macquarie but concedes some regulation might be necessary.

The Short-term Holiday Letting survey can be accessed here.

The survey closes on September 29.