Aruba has signed a landmark agreement with home sharing platform Airbnb as it aims to become a leading Caribbean player in the sharing economy.
It is the first partnership of its kind in the region, said the Aruba Tourism Authority.
It hopes to ‘ceate a framework to allow the Aruba Tourism Authority and Airbnb to address the issue of taxes, host accommodation standards and regulations and ensure that it is in line with Aruba’s tourism policy,’ a statement said.
"As the nunber two most tourism-reliant nation in the world, Aruba’s continued growth relies on having a healthy balance of on-island accommodations, offering a quality of experience to our visitors, ensuring that we meet consumer expectations and demands, and making sure the benefits of the sharing economy are beneficial for the industry, community and island as a whole," said Ronella Tjin Asjoe-Croes, CEO of the Aruba Tourism Authority.
Aruba has more than 1,300 Airbnb listing which welcomed 13,000 guests last year Airbnb said.
Hosts earned about $4,400 from Airbnb bookings, it added.
"Aruba embraces the shared economy and is eager to formalize the first partnership in our region with Airbnb. Together as industry leaders, we will add value to authentic travel experiences while ensuring this on-island development is managed successfully," Tjin Asjoe-Croes added.
