BY ANNELIA NIXON

TRIBUNE BUSINESS REPORTER

anixon@tribunemedia.net

EXUMA’S chief councillor is calling for a crackdown on foreign-owned Airbnb properties that allegedly rent boats and other pleasure craft to guests, noting the practice is undermining Bahamian tour operators and creating an uneven playing field in the island’s marine tourism sector.

Glenn Davis, chief councillor for Exuma, said local authorities have been receiving reports of foreign homeowners providing boats to Airbnb guests as part of their accommodation offerings, despite the vessels being imported for private recreational use rather than commercial operations.

“We’ve been hearing those reports also,” Mr Davis said. “So we try to advise the regulatory bodies to try to crack down on it some way, somehow.”

He said the activity involves engaging in a commercial venture without the appropriate business licensing through the improper use of vessels that receive different customs treatment because “Yes, and improper use of the equipment,” Mr Davis said when asked whether the practice amounted to operating a business without a licence. “What’s supposed to be for pleasure, they turn into a business venture, and it’s really killing the local businesses in Exuma.”

His comments come amid growing concerns from Exuma’s marine tourism operators over competition from what they describe as unlicensed operators, including foreign homeowners allegedly using Airbnb properties to enter the boat-tour market. Mr Davis estimated that “quite a few” people could be involved in the practice, although he said he could not provide a specific number.

“We try to address it,” he said. “We try to reach out as best we can to confer with those people.” According to the chief councillor, the issue is particularly prevalent along the eastern section of Exuma pointing to areas around Hartswell and before William’s Town where there is a concentration of foreign homeowners. Mr Davis said local authorities have been engaging the relevant government agencies, including Inland Revenue, the Port and Customs, in an effort to identify operators and take action where necessary. “We try our best to find those people and confiscate the craft, if need be,” he said.

However, he said enforcement is complicated by the involvement of Bahamians who allegedly act as fronts for foreign homeowners. “The problem also in Exuma is we have a lot of locals fronting for these foreign homeowners. And that’s what makes it such a challenge to really do the jobs as necessary to put an end to it,” Mr Davis said. “So we have to blame ourselves as locals for what’s happening here in Exuma.”

The alleged activity is placing additional pressure on legitimate Bahamian tour operators, he said, who are required to obtain the necessary licences, employ staff and operate within the regulatory framework.

“And they have to compete with foreigners who doing things illegally here on Exuma,” Mr Davis said. Exuma boat tour operator Perez Wright confirmed that the practice has been taking place, saying some Airbnb owners have been renting boats directly to guests staying at their properties. “They’ve been doing that,” he said. “They have been renting out boats to the guests that come to their house. I don’t know what we can do but we got to try to do something.” The allegations echo concerns raised previously by Exuma Water Sports principal Ray Lightbourn, who has argued that foreign-backed operators are competing directly with Bahamian marine tourism businesses.

Mr Lightbourn previously said some foreign Airbnb owners were attempting to enter the tour business through Bahamian fronts, alleging that the practice was illegal because the excursion sector is reserved for Bahamians. He has now put the number of Airbnb properties allegedly involved at about 21. “I understand there’s about 21 Airbnbs with illegal business operating right now,” Mr Lightbourn said. He also stressed the importance of Bahamian ownership in the sector, stating: “You have to be a Bahamian.” largely unchanged for years.

“It’s not easy, but we got a lot of competition,” he said previously. “Unfortunately, we got a lot of competition, and also got a lot of illegal boats doing tours too.”