The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

YOUR letter writer Bruce Raine is understandably misinformed as to existing tax fees and required registration for persons renting residential property as a tourist accommodation as for years I suspect tourism has not managed this important part of our tourism business or collected the fees or registered the properties.

‘There are many horror stories of patrons of AirBnB where a visitor arrives to what they thought was an ideal property close to the sea but some miles away and the property is run-down and far from matching the property description. This is a disaster for tourism and our national customer service, but, it occurs. AirBnB acknowledges this can happen.

Check the local listing of AirBnB and you have in many cases a job to ID where actually the property is located – the description is unclear so customer beware what is written could well be totally far from what actually the property is or its location.

I recall as far back as the late 1980’s even possibly earlier, Tourism used to require these properties, Rentals to visitors to be registered and there was an annual licence. Tourism, confirm or deny this is still the rules?

You only become subject to VAT if your business tops $100,000.00 that means you have to be renting at $274.00 per day 365 days ... chances few are that lucky ... you have empty days and, of course, during hurricane season lost rentals.

The real question is why shouldn’t there be alike small Bed & Breakfast properties and hotels Rules - Regulations and Licences?

W THOMPSON

Nassau,

December 5, 2017.