Airbnb Inks Yet Another Caribbean Nation

PHOTO: Antigua is the latest destination to reach an agreement with Airbnb. (photo by Brian Major)

Antigua and Barbuda became the most recent Caribbean nation to announce an agreement with home-say provider Airbnb.

The country’s Ministry of Tourism and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority will work with Airbnb to “drive diversified and sustainable tourism” to the dual-island nation and “begin dialogue about a framework for taxation on accommodation,” the parties said in a statement last week.

The agreement mirrors recent pacts Airbnb has reached with Caribbean destinations as well as the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) as the company’s accommodations continue to increase across the region.

Antigua and Barbuda maintains more than 500 Airbnb listings, said company officials.

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Airbnb guest arrivals to the country have increased by 53 percent in the past year, with groups tending to stay about six nights. An average Airbnb host earns about $5,700 annually from their listing.

The agreement will allow Airbnb to “contribute [to the] local community and government,” officials said. The company “has been consistently collaborating with several governments in the Caribbean as well as the CTO as the region acknowledges the growing importance of home sharing in the local economy and for residents to participate in the bounty of tourism.”

“Today is an important step in further strengthening the tourism industry in Antigua and Barbuda by signing this partnership with Airbnb,” said Asot A. Michael, the country’s minister of tourism, economic development, investment and energy.

“Airbnb is the largest game changer in the accommodation sector. By working with them, we will ensure that Antigua and Barbuda is interacting with the full spectrum of visitors.”

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“Our joint efforts will highlight the culture, heritage and hospitality of local residents,” added Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s public policy director for Central America and the Caribbean.