Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett says the Government is negotiating with short-term rental agency Airbnb to create an agreement that would see the agency directly contributing to the country’s economy.

Airbnb is one of the world’s largest online marketplaces for short and long-term rentals. The company acts as a broker, contacting renters with customers and charges a commission from each booking.

Over the past several years, Airbnb has become synonymous with the overall short-term rental market.

Speaking on Taking Stock with Kalilah Reynolds, the Tourism Minister said the popularity of short-term rentals has increased dramatically over the past few years.

“In this post-COVID-19 period, there has been a real surge of Airbnb within the tourism industry,” Bartlett said.

He noted that Airbnb generated over US$100 million in revenues in the island last year, and Airbnb stays accounted for nearly 30% of all visitor stays.

The Minister said tourists tend to flock to the more authentic feeling nature of Airbnbs over a stay at resorts.

“They want to experience the culture,” he said.

Bartlett noted that since this industry is relatively new, it is still unregulated and as such, Jamaica must take moves to protect its international brand.

“I regard Airbnb as a service area of the tourism industry. And every destination has to protect its brand and its image and the things that are required to do this sometimes come at a cost,” the Minister explained.

“Somebody has to pay to ensure that the safety, security and seamlessness that we promise to all visitors who come to the country, is preserved and that our reputation is not second-guessed,” he added.

However, Bartlett said that the Government has no intention of adding additional pressure on landlords or customers.

“Airbnb has been speaking with us about how to come to an arrangement that would see them making contributions to the economy outside of the accommodation sub- sectors,” he said.

It’s not clear yet if that means taxes or other investments. However, the Minister noted that with the current proposal renters “wouldn’t have to remit a dollar”.