Bartlett pushes back at criticism of Jamaica Tourist Board Bill

 

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett has pushed back at criticisms of the proposed Jamaica Tourist Board Bill 2025. 

 

He insists the legislation does not impose new taxes, nor unfairly target Airbnb and other short-term rental operators. 

 

Mr. Bartlett described the legislation as part of a broader strategy to modernise Jamaica's tourism framework while protecting brand Jamaica and strengthening standards across all accommodation types. 

 

He also rejected claims that the government plans to impose taxes on Airbnb operations. 

 

He was responding to Opposition Leader Mark Golding's concern that there would be massive fines and sanctions for unregistered tourist accommodations under the new bill.

 

"The false suggestion that there is any intention to tax or to provide any kind of punitive measures against any sector and any sub-sector of the industry should be rubbished. And certainly those who have been making a particular claim that Airbnb is being singled out and that there is an intention to tax Airbnb, let that be known now, without any equivocation, that there is no policy, no arrangement in line for taxation on any Airbnb activity," he maintained.

 

Mr. Bartlett said the ministry will ensure all accommodations adhere to basic standards that protect both guests and hosts. 

 

"What there is, is a desire and an intention and a determination to ensure that all the services that are provided to international and domestic visitors alike are in the highest tradition of integrity and offers the safest and most secure arrangement that is possible in the space. And so we want that to be very clear. It is absolutely not honest, it is not true, and it is wrong to make political mileage of a situation which clearly is neither stated nor is it a policy position," asserted the minister.