Caribbean hoteliers have thrown down the gauntlet against Airbnb and other short-term rental operators across the region, insisting that all accommodation providers, large or small, should be subjected to the same level of taxation and regulation as traditional hotels.

At the same time, the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is also resisting what it describes as unfair new commission practices by online booking giant Booking.com, warning that the move could cost Caribbean hotels tens of millions of US dollars annually.

Speaking during a press conference at Caribbean Travel Marketplace in Antigua, CHTA President Sanovnik Destang said regional tourism stakeholders had agreed that the time had come for “fair play” across the accommodation sector.