Unhappy budget hotel operators and the like must wait a bit longer for guidelines to be drawn up for Airbnb operators, who have a free reign in the booming tourism business.

The State government needs time to draft out a set of guidelines for Airbnb to be managed properly.

State Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Hajiji Noor said the state cabinet has discussed the matter while the Attorney-General's office is also studying the issue to finalise the guidelines.

"We have existing guidelines but they're not solid enough for a thorough implementation.

"For now, each local authority has their own guidelines for owners renting out their property (via Airbnb)" he said. Airbnb is fast gaining popularity, especially among young. Young travelers comprised 37 per cent of the 3.4 million visitors to Sabah last year.

Hajiji was speaking after launching the 2016-2020 Integrity Plan for the state Town and Regional Planning Department (JPBW) here.

Kota Kinabalu City Hall has said that it was coming up with regulations and guidelines for online marketplace and hospitality service Airbnb within this year.

Meanwhile, Hajiji said the Integrity Plan is a good initiative to ensure the effectiveness of the department and is important for the organisation.

"Integrity not only refers to (lack of) misconduct, but also other positive attitudes in an organisation.

"The working culture itself involves punctuality, disseminating information and good service delivery" he said. Seventeen officers received excellence service award at the ceremony which was also attended by assistant minister Datuk Zakaria Edris and JPBW director Hj Mursidi Hj Sapie.

Also present were State Attorney-General, Puan Hjh Zaleha Rose Pandin and State Public Services Department deputy director Mohammad Usop.

JPBW deputy director Bernadette C. Edmund headed the list of the recipients, followed by principal assistant directors Nazri Hamburg, Nurulhayati Awang More and Shahrum Radzlee Mohd Samlih.

Others were Carolyn Clement Tay, Harry Issu, Lee Wah, Athanasius John Malis, Jainisan Hj Roman, Amat Mohri Hj Terimoh, Wahid Rashid, Pasdik Francies, Usly Harun, Adelynna Adeline Foo Abdullah, Rosnah Abdul Rahman, Saulim Gutok and Tan Sue Ching.