This lack of tax collection for private vacation rentals has been in place since the implementation of VAT and the removal of the hotel tax. The hotel type tax was only collected 'here and there' and was not enforced by Government. With the global rise with, initially, VRBO and then AIRBNB and other like internet-based rentals and the resulting decline in traditional hotel bookings, our Government has been reminded over and repeatedly what a huge amount of room tax it and The People are missing out on.

The Prime Minister actually advised the HOA today that he recently met with the Chief of AIRBNB and that a register will be compiled by AIRBNB of those in The Bahamas listing their homes for rental and that the appropriate tax would be collected by AIRBNB and forwarded to The Treasury. This is all well and good, but what about all the other private home vacation rentals? Does a bill not have to be passed to put this taxation into place? Which Ministry and its team of efficient civil servants will actually put this head or room tax into place? How will it be policed? Talk is fine, but it's also cheap. This should have been jumped on quite a few years ago.

I'm sure it's a better plan than gubment has!

SO........................are we collecting vat or room tax on the AIRBNB and related rentals? No word on this? We're sure PAYING a lot of VAT on everything!!!

He'd show remorse if the law dictated a life for a life or a limb for a limb.

Change their DNA?

The Mad One has caused quite a little stir. It is easy to understand why one feels like throwing in the towel when one sees things continuing on a downward spiral. This is a perfect time for a VIABLE alternative political party to revive and come to the fore, or present itself to the public if newly formed, before it is truly too late for The Bahamas.

You are so right, Mr. Hanna. This is one of the MANY unethical, disturbing practices that have become part of "the game" in this Bahamas. So many in our Country have become far worse that the sharks and barracuda which inhabit our waters. Our politicians and many civil servants, senor and otherwise, are deplorable examples of moral decency for the young people of our Islands. It is too late to nip this and other nefarious practices it in the bud, but they must be nipped, even if entire trees have to come down.

It does take a village to raise a child. In today's world we are so worried about ourselves, that we don't think about those around us. If we concerned ourselves more with being involved in our neighbours lives instead of competing with them, our children would be better off. Not necessarily our literal neighbours, but the community as a whole, or island as a whole. From the road workers, teachers, sales personnel, doctors, sincere church pastors, care givers, housekeepers, all the way up to the M.P. and beyond. Every single person that comes in contact with your child has some degree of influence on him/her.

Another lunatic?

*full = fuel