(Left) Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy on a recent visit to Scott’s Gap, Britton’s Hill.
Those issuing calls for the homestay industry to be regulated to ensure that no harm is done to the Barbados brand are being assured by Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Richard Sealy, that their calls have not fallen on deaf ears.
In recent times it seems that the homestay industry, through which visitors stay in a house or apartment of a local, has been gaining popularity and giving the traditional hotel sector a run for its money. Last December, the former Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association, Sue Springer suggested a 1.1 per cent decline in average occupancy among hotels might be attributed to bookings via Airbnb. Her comments came as she also said the Association would be continuing dialogue with Government on such accommodation listings not only with respect to establishing standards, but possibly even the implementation of a levy.
In a recent interview with The Barbados Advocate, Minister Sealy said he is cognisant of the concerns and indicated that his Ministry agrees that efforts have to be made to ensure that activities at the micro level do not in any way negatively impact the destination’s reputation among potential visitors and so, he stated, they are watching the developments. But Minister Sealy, while pointing out that his Ministry was looking at the situation, did not go into details about what his Ministry would do regarding this growing accommodation sector.
The tourism minister did note however that while there is some concern regarding the homestay industry, it is important to recognise that this type of business activity is a source of income for numerous persons and is making a meaningful contribution to the economy. As such, he said it is important to strike a balance.
“We have to protect the brand, but having said that we want to encourage entrepreneurs. And, the reality is though that long before there was Airbnb and the like, Barbados was talking about the provision of accommodation at people’s homes. We were there talking about it and planning for it and now we have been somewhat surpassed by international global trends,” he said.
Sealy, adamant that the concept is not foreign to Barbados and noting that it is becoming popular among persons, insisted that the country cannot fight it. Rather he said the island has to embrace it and work with those in the industry. (JRT)
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