I believe the regulations would be minimal, for example like making sure a new house needs a permit before someone can move in. Fire alarms, extinguisher, tap water is drinkable, etc.

It could be a role for the BTA to offer new renters getting into the vacation market best practices, which I believe would help new entrepreneurs and possible existing ones new and easier ways to promote or offer value to your guests. But it is not up to the BTA or in their mandate to tell renters how to sell and what they can sell. I doubt they can do that to the larger hotels.

I am not sure if there is an association for vacation rental owners or committee. But I believe there should be one to make sure there is a voice, especially when the BTA starts their “collaborations”. Maybe there could be something started with the Bermuda Hotel Association or the Chamber of Commerce, because I definitely agree with you the regulations that are put in place need to be specific to vacations rentals which could be much different to larger hotel regulations.

I am not a vacation renter, but I think it is a great idea for anyone looking at getting into the business, and applaud you.

good on you to acknowledge you were incorrect in your assumptions but your concerns are still valid. the bta can leave the inspections/regulations to the Tourism ministry as they apparently have less to do these days.

He made the case to me that a minimal level of regulation is indeed necessary.

The primary reason is safety….something you have raised in your post.

I am a big enough person to admit that I may have been wrong in relation to the need for regulation. BUT I would expect the level of regulation to be minimal.

Just like hotels, regulations and licenses are given in terms of fire, sanitation safety. Fire inspections, health inspections are undertaken to be given a hotel license.

Also for the renter making sure that the proper insurance coverage is put in place, in the event a customer has an “accident” and there is property damage. Keep in mind how accustomed the American clientele is to such regulation. Also to provide renters, best practices when offering their home as a vacation rental (deposit process, cancellation process etc).

Of course customers looking at vacation rentals there is also a buyers beware “you are one your own” element, but if a customer is unhappy about there experience they always spread that experience to friends, family and to anyone that wants to listen (Trip Advisor and other review sites).

Personally I do not feel that BTA can regulate anything, because they are not mandate to do that. It is up to government to make sure that vacation rentals have the basic regulations in place to offer accommodation to guests. I believe the Department of Tourism still exists for this specific reason.

If small hotels only offering 6 rooms (like a Dawkins Manor)have to be regulated, why not the home vacation rental market.

Also I am not saying that most vacation renters, do not have these safety measures in place and already know best practices, but neither the BTA nor government seem know of their existence, because this market has primarily been an open market. If licensed and recognized then, I believe it would be BTAs responsibility to promote this booming market and not just the hotel community, as a viable option for accommodation in Bermuda.

To me it makes sense.

Well, guess what? Our unit has been open for business for a year. We had almost 80% occupancy.

We have collaborated with taxi drivers, bike rental shops, restaurants, dive shops etc etc etc.

If you need to be told to do this, or to be nice and friendly and have clean units….you shouldn’t be in the business.

Did they, or did they NOT, state that they are “looking at” two US states for a model upon which to base Bermuda’s REGULATORY regime?

One way or another the angle is for regulation, be it light or heavy.

Correct?

A simple yes or no will suffice.

You are what you hate. Congrats.

I was very impressed by the level of enthusiasm, happy to see Union representatives, Opposition, and most importantly a very enthusiastic team at the Authority doing a lot of research, sharing the information, and the direction that they’re seeing and the trends.

Coming and reading these comments – most of which are offering solutions – but seem to me to be coming from a place of resentment and hatred is unhelpful and destructive.

My challenge for myself and anyone else here is this:

We all have a positive contribution to make. This country will not turn the corner of the economic, cultural and spiritual decline that we’ve been in without each one of us betting and acting on our best – our highest and best self.

I cannot expect my children and grandchildren to act with dignity and respect unless I lead by example. Nelson Mandela always said that if people can be taught to hate, then they can also be taught to love.

And I know that the only person I can influence is me – i.e. the only person I can change is me.

So my challenge to myself and to everyone blogging here is this:

What type of community do you want to build?
What do you want for future generations?
What’s your legacy?

Is it a legacy of point scoring, diminishing each other and hatred?

Or is it a legacy of peace reconciliation and transformation. Of being the example of how to be humane and peaceful?

Will the words from the hymn “Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me,” with you with everyone?

Can each one of us go out into the world with the intention to leave this world better than we found it?

Because these blogs can and do hurt people, words to do hurt. And they not only hurt and diminish the people who make these posts, but they are out in cyber space for anyone to read forever. They’re part of the footprint of this country that I believe we all love very much.

If we want a better world for our children then we need to start to take responsibility for our words and actions and start treating ourselves and each other with dignity and respect.

To be part of the solution.

What a colossal waste of time and effort. We do not NEED regulation. Let the MARKET be the force to drive this niche tourism NOT regulators.

I fail to see the value AT ALL in having inspections of units, for example. Inspectors will add a subjective element to the decision making process that “the unit is too dirty”, “the unit is too far away from a bus route”….whatever the heck you come up with. It doesn’t matter ONE BIT what these people think. The ONLY person’s opinion that matters is the GUEST. If they don’t like the place, they can find another unit and leave. They can write poor reviews. They will not return to that unit.

None of these issues will be solved by having greater regulation. NONE. The same issues can arise in any guesthouse or hotel that is already regulated. The argument that we could somehow “damage” tourism and cause people to never come back is absurd. Do you really think that people who have spent time money and effort in getting rental units to the market will shoot themselves in the foot by providing a negative experience to their guests? If that was the case, those people should understand that they won’t last long in that business.

The worst part is that any regulation comes at a cost. No doubt fees and taxes will be required to be charged. This is going to put the whole concept of Holiday Rentals at risk. The people who use these holiday rentals are very price sensitive. A small difference in price will dictate whether they book or not.

BTA, just leave us alone. We will bring the tourists here. Your job is to find things for them to do while here and to make sure this island has adequate infrastructure to get them from place to place. Don’t waste time and money micro managing something that Bermudians have already been doing for decades. Don’t authorise some tooth sucking well connected but totally inexperienced “regulator” to come and tell me what I can and cannot do with my property. You do your job and we will do ours.

Mr Bill Hanbury has come up with a great idea that people are our greatest asset, this is an absolute fact of life ,it is people that make the “Tasty pudding” and the “Cod fish and potatoes”.

Bermuda has become a cosmopolitan, a Nation of many Nations with people from many countries and all walks of life each contributing in one way or another to ours and their future.

Bermuda will welcome with open arms people from all over the planet they will come with their culture and way of life,we have to be ready for the unexpected.

The A/C is an event involving many competing Nations each bringing with them their own traditions, language and culture.

It is our chance to make friends with the people of the world.

Thankyou BIU.

Yawn.You finished?

Platinum Period anyone? Yeah that put us back on the up… Not!

there is also the Louis Vuitton Race (sailing) that occurred last year -can we seek to host that – that would utilize the facilities built for the AC…

And as for you faux list of things you claim represent lack of transparency/scandal and ROI I suggest you again take a look at that monstrosity opposite Dunscom Road on South Shore .

http://bernews.com/2014/12/5m-intrepid-travelers-discover-bermuda/

It’s early days yet so I say carry on BTA, I have more faith in the direction we are going now despite the constant moaning by the usual Cabal of whiners.

Maybe for the sake of the moaners we should go back to what was definitely NOT working. Like the decline over the previous 35 plus years under successive UBP & PLP Govts. Yeah that should help tourism.