The Ministry of Tourism has sought to clarify the purpose of the newly proposed Jamaica Tourist Board Bill, 2025, in particular, the provisions for regulating tourism accommodations such as short-term rentals.

In a statement the ministry said while it notes the concerns raised regarding the new Bill, which will repeal the previous 1955 Act, it is designed to modernise and strengthen the Jamaica Tourist Board’s (JTB’s) institutional capacity to ensure that Jamaica remains globally competitive. The new legislation also aims at “protecting our tourism product, preserving Brand Jamaica, and supporting the thousands of Jamaicans contributing to this dynamic and expanding sector”.

“The JTB Act does not legislate taxation on accommodation or any other enterprise. Guided by the Destination Assurance Framework, the Bill aims to establish a fair, transparent system that safeguards quality, safety, security, and consistency across all types of accommodations. It ensures that all accommodations—resorts, guesthouses and short-term rentals—adhere to basic standards that protect both guests and hosts,” the statement further outlined.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Tourism asserts that the new JTB Bill reinforces Brand Jamaica, enhances the visitor experience, and promotes greater collaboration across the sector.

“Of importance, the Bill will stipulate that accommodations, ranging between one and nine rooms, that are occupied by the owner (homestays), as well as apartments which are prohibited by their Strata Corporation from participating in peer-to-peer rental arrangements are required to register but are not required to be licensed,” the ministry’s statement continued.

While welcoming the valuable input received from stakeholders throughout the consultation process and the recent parliamentary debate, the Ministry of Tourism said it remains fully committed to continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that the final framework, expected to be tabled in the next parliamentary cycle, is practical, balanced, and aligned with the shared goal of sustainable growth across the sector.