Airbnb and the Aruba Tourism Authority signed an agreement on
Nov. 7, and the sides are calling it the first partnership between Airbnb and a
Caribbean country.
The deal "creates a framework to allow the Aruba
Tourism Authority and Airbnb to address the issue of taxes, host accommodation
standards and regulations, and ensure that it is in line with Aruba's tourism
policy," according to a statement.
"Aruba's continued tourism growth relies on having a
healthy balance of on-island accommodations, ensuring that we meet consumer
expectations and demands, and making sure the benefits of the sharing economy
are beneficial for the industry, community and island as a whole," said
Rosella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the tourism authority. "We embrace the
concept of a sharing economy. Our goal is to work together to drive more
sustainable and unique tourism to the island, help make Aruba a leader in the
sharing economy and continue to position Aruba as a world-class tourist
destination."
In the past year, Airbnb hosts in Aruba welcomed 13,000
international guests. Hosts in Aruba earned on average $4,400 a year, according
to Airbnb.
Currently, there are 1,360 Airbnb listings across the island
with 15% of the listings in private homes.
"We will work closely with the Aruba Tourism Authority
to broaden the island's appeal to the millions of Airbnb users who are
interested in unique travel experiences," said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb's
public policy lead for Central America and the Caribbean. "This
collaboration will give those visiting Aruba more traveling options while
promoting sustainable tourism as part of the local economy."
Recently, the Aruban government capped the island's
all-inclusive accommodations at 40% of the total hotel room count on the
island. Currently all-inclusive resorts make up 34% of Aruba's 5,543 transient
rooms while 66% are European Plan (EP) hotels that do not include food and
beverage in room rates.
"The goal is to remain competitive and create balance.
A healthy mix of on-island accommodations is crucial to the success of Aruba,"
Asjoe-Croes said.