Airbnb Operators Challenge Gov’t’s Short-Term Rental Regulation Plan
A controversial bill aiming to regulate short-term rental accommodations in Jamaica has sparked backlash from hosts, who fear the proposed law could devastate their livelihoods.
Debate on the legislation was suspended in Parliament recently, leaving uncertainty around provisions that would require hosts to register and obtain licences from the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
Under the proposed rules, non-compliant operators could face fines of up to $2 million, imprisonment for up to a year, or both.
Critics argue the penalties are too severe and may unfairly favour larger hotel chains at the expense of independent Jamaican hosts.
Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has defended the bill, saying it is designed to update industry standards and introduce uniform safety and service measures across all lodging categories.
The ministry later noted that owner-occupied properties with one to nine rooms and apartments in complexes where short-term rentals are prohibited by strata regulations would only be required to register, not undergo full licensing.
Opposition Leader Mark Golding has pushed back on the legislation, criticising what he described as disproportionately high penalties and insufficient engagement with stakeholders in the short-term rental sector.
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