BTA Seeks Public Input On Vacation Rentals
The Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] wants more of the public’s input on the future of the island’s vacation rental market, with an online feedback forum now accepting input from members of the public who have an interest in the topic.
“We had a fruitful discussion on vacation rentals at the Bermuda Tourism Summit last month,” said Karla Lacey, the BTA’s Chief Operations Officer. “This feedback forum is the second step of our collaborative process to listen to the views of the public about this rapidly growing tourism sector.”
A spokesperson said, “Before completing the feedback forum the public is encouraged to view the Bermuda Vacation Rental Market slide presentation on the BTA corporate website.
“The presentation, first made public at the Bermuda Tourism Summit, shows the growth of the vacation rental market in and outside of Bermuda and provides samples of two very different regulation models recently enacted in the United States. A video recording of the presentation is also available on the website.
“When the public accesses the feedback forum a list of questions similar to the ones posed at the summit are asked in order to help the Tourism Authority align all public feedback. Those who attended the summit session on vacation rentals are welcomed to complete the online forum as well.
“Stakeholder groups including government hotel inspectors, fire safety experts and other relevant parties are also being consulted for their input.
“A BTA Working Group, led by COO Karla Lacey, will compile the research and public feedback for the creation of a discussion paper that will be delivered to the Ministry of Tourism Development and Transport.
“Government officials will use the paper to determine whether current legislation that speaks to Bermuda’s vacation rental market is sufficient, should be amended or whether new legislation should be drafted.”
The online feedback forum will be available until February 25, 2015. It can be found on the Tourism Authority’s corporate website homepage.
Very worthy research and much needed for Bermuda! Large families that want to be housed together have very little options in Bermuda compared with other vacation destinations. Also, there is much need of regulation for the terms of booking etc. I recently had a very bad experience trying to book for the America’s cup for my family who wants to share a house together (we are coming from different parts of the world and don’t get to see each other ofter so we wanted to stay together). Bermuda lags behind other destinations with regard to property rentals. I will give you one example…
http://www.stbarth.com/
I think pursuing private rentals is a great idea – but I do think we should also explore house swaps. Sure, the homeowners don’t get extra income, but … both parties get a much cheaper holiday and therefore, in theory, have a greater holiday disposable income.
More empire building.
Increased regulation = increased fees = decreased business
create a database of suitable short term rental units. but don’t tax the little guy nor the vacationer….it’ll just drive the price up.
BTA – please focus and work with hotels to find a price point that works for the hotel and is attractive to potential visitors. thats where your efforts should be – work with the relevant ministries to encourage the development of more tourist accommodations. trying to tap into the homeowner accommodations is just damn lazy and low hanging fruit. think about it – on the one hand the BTA is promoting Bermuda as a high end destination and on the other hand trying to market Bermuda as a kitschy stay-in-somebody’s-home holiday experience.
i’m confused with this marketing strategy. if you want a clue – study how Monaco gets away with high prices and is perceived as high end…not hard if you do the work.
#sotiredofalltalknoresults
And for the CEO making $7,000 a month.
SMFH
So the survey is a bit bogus. It implies that it is seeking input on potential new regulations, but the only questions seemed to relate to whether the BTA should be advertising vacation rentals. Unless I was excluded from commenting on the regulations because I answered ‘no’ to the question about whether I currently do vacation rentals. Which is also silly, because what if I was interested in doing them and certain regulatory measures might change my mind either way? Short-sighted.
Works fine as is.
Leave them alone. The more Government agencies stick their noses into business, the more complicated & costly business becomes.
These days through websites like VRBO.com & trip advisor the bad are weeded out from the good by direct feedback from customers. There is no need for Government to be vetting properties to make sure that they are up to whatever standards they perceive to be necessary.
Actually many jurisdictions are introducing basic standards for such rentals, to ensure client safety and to prevent rip off’s and ensure customer service standards.
Government has some interest in protecting our image and several disappointed visitors can spread a lot of bad reviews very widely these days. Standards will help prevent this to some extent and at least provide a framework.
i for one, will not be conducting any business, or sharing any ideas with any of the over paid staff at the bta. remember that this private organization is getting its seed money from us ie gov. you will recall that they wanted business ideas to boost tourism, offering $75,000 top awards for ideas that were accepted with a clause for repayment of %100 of funds, with stipulations on how the money was to be spent…and lest we forget they also retain complete legal ownership of any ideas that were not accepted or funded. why would they need that if the ideas were not up to par?
and you really have to wonder what they are planning to glean from residential rentals now, i’m sure their involvement is not free.
this whole bta scam is not a good approach, bunch of gold diggers, effecting no change to anything but their resumes, and personal bank accounts.
Many years ago the DOT held a list of houses that was made up of premises that were available for rental/s for tourists.
During the 60′s and very early 70′s they would contact the owners as to rooms and occupance levels.
My parents and thousands of households rented out to people.
No one came to inspect et al. Common sense played a big part. If you could live there and had a roof… well others could to.
Why mess around with established results. It’s not like they will be given a tent and a rubber dinghy and sent to Paget Island or live in Bernard Park or Fort Scaur.
It’s really simple. Set up an account where people can reigister and in two weeks you’ll have a far greater knowledge of what is available.
If it ain’t broke why screw with it.
Shalom.
Yes, at the Tourism summit a tent in a garden was mentioned as being advertised!
I think this is going to only benefit the new large hotels that are coming to Bermuda. Push the private rental price up so high folks will now stay in the hotels.
the regulations you put on the smaller private rental owners the more money they will charge. I say keep GOVERNMENT out of your rental property business!!
Private rental is the only way some of us can return. We have tried the nice hotels and loved them, but can’t afford them every year. The private rental is a blessing to those of us who want to return and enjoy your beautiful island.
And I thought the bta had all the answers. Hmmmm
Something I notice……. You can go on the internet and search most places around the world to find 2,3,4 and 5 star hotels but search for Bermuda and even if you find a hotel other than 5 star it will have 5 star prices. I work up in Dockyard and during the cruise ship season and on speaking with Tourist they save for one or two years to come on these cruise ships. Do BTA honestly thing these same people can afford to come here by plane? No way.
Every time the word government is mentioned in “planning” something , I see disastrous moves. I have come to believe governments are not so good in fixing most of our problems, they tend to create newer one and legislate the order one. govt should fix the hotels mess FIRST!
#everybobyknowthat
The BTA is not a govt run department. Vacation rentals and cottage colonies started tourism in Bermuda…the attractiveness of big hotels and resorts has declined…I say get back to what we were good at.
hmmm?
not that one, lol
Anything you say can and will be used against you to tax you out of existence .
So if there’s a problem and a guest has an accident in your property and your normal house insurance won’t cover their costly medical expenses and holiday refund etc, who will you cry to?
Teach them then watch them teach you…….a lesson heh heh.