Airbnb hosts in Portland are being urged to get their operations certified as tourist establishments and become compliant with the requisite governing legislation and regulations.

This urging comes from Lorenzo Hume, chief health inspector for the parish, who was speaking during January’s sitting of the Portland Municipal Corporation in Port Antonio.

Portland is home to approximately 60 to 62 tourist establishments, but Hume said this figure could be greater if uncertified Airbnb’s operating in the parish become certified.

“We know that there are persons operating Airbnb’s [and] offering services to local and international visitors. I take this opportunity to remind all that Airbnb… is really bed and breakfast,” he said, noting that these provisions are similar to services offered at guest houses.

“So if you offer accommodation for the public and get paid, under the Tourism Establishment Act, you should really be certified as a tourist establishment,” Hume stated.

Nationally, the relevant legislation governing tourist establishments is the Tourist Board Act.

It regulates the operation of tourism enterprises, including hotels and other accommodations offered to tourists, stipulates licences for operations and sets standards for these businesses.

Health and hygiene stipulations within tourist establishments are contained in the Public Health (Tourist Establishments) Regulations, which outline requirements regarding, among other things, food handling, water quality and sanitation procedures.