Jamaica Considering Regulations For Short-Term Rentals

• Jamaica is looking at implementing regulations for the short-stay accommodation market, which includes Airbnbs. Senior Strategist and Advisor in the Tourism Ministry Delano Seiveright says the direction being explored does not necessarily include tariffs.
• "We're being very considerate in how we approach it. The idea is not necessarily taxes. The idea is to ensure that it is safe, it is secure, and that it is properly marketed to ensure that destination Jamaica and brand Jamaica is protected at all costs," he explained.
• Seiveright argued that there are "persons in the space who we believe are doing nefarious things and we want to get on top of that".
• Several cities, including New York, have been clamping down on Airbnbs. The tourism strategist said Jamaica has been doing well compared with the rest of the region when it comes to Airbnb stays.
• "We met with Airbnb executives this year and last year who indicated to us that the growth in Jamaica is amongst the highest levels of growth in Airbnb stays in the entire Caribbean. And what we have is up to last year, we had 7,500 Airbnb stays in Jamaica. This year, we have already exceeded 10,000 Airbnb rooms/accommodations in all of Jamaica," he reported.
• Seiveright said about 29 per cent of tourists who visit Jamaica stay in an Airbnb or some other sort of short-term rental apartment, condo or villa.
• The regulation is a part of Jamaica’s efforts to protect brand Jamaica and ensure that all visitors are safe, and secure and have an excellent experience, whether they choose a hotel or other short-stay accommodations. 

(Source: RJR News)