The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) has released a comprehensive regulatory framework urging Antigua and other Caribbean destinations to adopt smarter oversight of the short-term rental (STR) market. According to Antigua News Room, the framework is designed to help governments capture economic opportunity responsibly while ensuring fair competition, visitor safety, and community protection.
The release comes as short-term rentals cement their place in Caribbean tourism. In one major Caribbean destination, STR visitor nights grew 118% between 2019 and 2025, accounting for 39% of all visitor accommodation by Q1 2026. CHTA developed the framework through industry research and stakeholder consultation, including input from 14 National Hotel and Tourism Associations (NHTAs).
"Short-term rentals represent both economic opportunity and the need for smart regulation," said Sanovnik Destang, CHTA President. "Our framework recognizes that STRs are here to stay — and that's positive for local entrepreneurship, destination diversity, and visitor choice. This is balanced growth, not restriction."
The framework acknowledges that short-term rentals serve traveller segments that traditional hotels address differently — including families seeking kitchen facilities, remote workers requiring extended stays, and visitors seeking authentic neighbourhood experiences. Local property owners also benefit by gaining direct access to tourism revenue.
However, CHTA warns that without transparent oversight, governments risk substantial revenue losses. In the Dominican Republic alone, the annual accommodation tax gap is estimated at USD $170 million. The association also notes that when STR data is unavailable, airlines tend to underestimate market capacity, contributing to flight shortages and visitor frustration.
"Destinations that embrace transparent registration and fair regulation will capture the full economic benefit of this trend," said Vanessa Ledesma, CEO of CHTA. "They'll strengthen their brand, ensure visitor safety, and protect long-term destination viability."
The framework highlights three regulatory models already operating effectively across the region. CHTA reports that compliance rates can reach 85–90% within 18 to 24 months where registration processes are transparent and economic incentives are properly aligned.
The CHTA framework provides destinations with registration methodologies, tax collection models, safety standards, host support programmes, data transparency frameworks, and flexible monitoring mechanisms. The full document is available for download at the CHTA website.
