Airbnb’s are facing criticism in Jamaica due to the government’s revision of the 1955 Tourist Act. This outdated law fails to address the impact of short-term rentals on the country. The government is swiftly working on a new bill that could negatively affect small Airbnb hosts.
The revised law aims to cover hotels, eco-hotels, and Airbnbs. The intention is to replace the Jamaica Tourism Bill with a New Tourism Bill. The outdated bill, passed in 1955, is no longer relevant to the significant changes in the tourism industry over the years. This could have dire consequences for Jamaicans who rely on short-term rentals for income. The current law, still in effect, regulates a potential $100 billion in tourist income. Jamaica attracts nearly 5 million visitors annually and has approximately 40,000 rooms. However, this figure doesn’t include the numerous Airbnb establishments that have emerged across the island.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett emphasizes the need for an updated bill to reflect the current state of tourism, which is primarily focused on licensing. For instance, if you rent short-term accommodations between 1 and 50 rooms without obtaining the necessary license, you may face fines of J$1,000,000 or even six months in jail. The government’s primary concern is destination assurance, and they are not receptive to unlicensed tourism enterprises. The new provisions allow for the revocation of licenses.
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