Seaside villa earnings shrink a year after Melissa

Short-term rental earnings at villas and seaside properties along Jamaica’s north coast fell over the past year, even as earnings rose in most other markets.

Average annual earnings at coastal villas in Montego Bay dropped 17 per cent to US$57,000, about J$9 million, according to AirDNA, which tracks short-term rentals on platforms including Airbnb, Vrbo and Booking. Active listings in the segment fell 1.3 per cent to 231 over the 12 months. In Ocho Rios, earnings dipped 9.0 per cent to US$24,100.

Away from the coast, average earnings rose 8.0 per cent to US$25,500 across the other 865 listings in St James. In St Ann, earnings rose 2.3 per cent to US$31,000.