Bermuda has become the latest Caribbean destination to
partner with Airbnb in a strategy to grow visitor spending and the number of
leisure and group visitors.
Airbnb will share aggregated data with the Bermuda
Tourism Authority to study the ways that home-sharing is driving economic
opportunity across the island and supporting the tourism industry.
BTA and Airbnb will engage in dialogue about regulation, too.
"Bermudians have been welcoming travelers into our
homes for many decades. Partnering with an innovative brand like Airbnb enables
us to build on our legacy of legendary hospitality, reach a new generation of
travelers and expand opportunities for Bermudian homeowners to participate in
the tourism economy," said Kevin Dallas, Bermuda Tourism Authority's CEO.
Airbnb has 257 listings in Bermuda, and a typical host
earned $14,900 in 2016.
"This agreement with Bermuda is a great example of how
Airbnb can work with governments to support home-sharing and local tourism
while ensuring it is possible to regulate short-term rentals," said Shawn Sullivan,
Airbnb's representative for the Caribbean and Central America.
The agreement follows similar pacts signed recently between
Airbnb and Aruba, Curacao, Jamaica and the Caribbean Tourism Organization.