Barbados has hit the brakes on its proposed Tourist Accommodation Bill, delaying its passage in Parliament after strong feedback from property owners and industry stakeholders. The legislation, first introduced last week, aimed to regulate the island’s growing short-term rental market, including Airbnbs and vacation villas.
Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill, explained that the Government considers the request for additional consultation by vacation rental operators both fair and necessary. “It is important that stakeholders fully understand the requirements and implications before we move forward,” he said.
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What the Bill Proposed
If enacted in its original form, the Bill would have introduced sweeping changes to the way short-term rentals operate in Barbados, including:
- Mandatory registration, licensing, and inspections for all vacation rentals.
- Fines of up to BDS $250,000 for non-compliance.
- Accessibility standards for new properties, with a five-year grace period for existing ones.
- Minimum requirements for safety, housekeeping, and amenities.
- Extended licence validity from one to two years.
Why the Delay
Several concerns have surfaced since the Bill was tabled:
- Stakeholder Engagement: Owners of vacation rentals want more time to understand compliance requirements and share their input.
- Enforcement Capacity: Questions remain over whether regulatory bodies have the staff and resources to monitor thousands of properties.
- Tourism Balance: The Government recognizes vacation rentals as an essential part of the island’s accommodation mix and doesn’t want to disrupt the sector without careful planning.
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Why It Matters
The legislation is seen as an important step in:
- Protecting visitors through consistent standards.
- Creating a level playing field between hotels and short-term rentals.
- Improving inclusivity, with better accessibility options for travelers with disabilities.
What’s Next
The Bill isn’t gone—it’s simply on hold. The Government will host further consultations with stakeholders, review capacity challenges, and refine the proposed measures before re-tabling the legislation.
For now, vacation rentals will continue under the existing system, but change is on the horizon once consensus is reached.
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