It is incredible how it has been impossible to control the growth of AIRBN establishments, despite the authorities' promises that they were in the process of being regularized.
Almost 4 years after the issue and almost two years in a row, with promises from Madrid, this process has not been concluded, leaving the promises of the Minister of Tourism David Collado in a very bad light.
Businessman Frank Rainieri, when interviewed, expressed his interest in seeing the correct measures be taken, before the situation affects hoteliers much more, who pay for a series of services.
While Ernesto Veloz, president of the Eastern Hotel Association, when interviewed in recent months, said that they have asked the State to regulate Airbnbs in Verón Punta Cana.
AIRBNBs have grown so much in recent years that they almost exceed the number of hotel rooms in the country.
In 2022 and 2023, the Minister of Tourism had announced that “The General Directorate of Internal Taxes (DGII) already has a draft on the mechanism that the Government will use to regulate and tax the operations of the rental model with digital mechanisms” and, of course, In fact, “it has already been made public.”
While in January 2024, David Collado revealed when interviewed, in an activity carried out by the Public and Private Alliance (DGAPP), that it will finally be next February (last month) when an agreement is being signed with Airbnb to regulate that Short rental digital platform, offered by its owners. This agreement does not yet contemplate the fiscal element.
He reported at that time that they had already drafted the agreement document and that it is being reviewed by the Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores).
Collado assured that Airbnb has not resisted its regulation. “If we invite him to sign tomorrow, he signs tomorrow; (the delay) is a matter of consensus with the private sector, which wants it to be done in conjunction with the fiscal part,” he said.
“We told Asonahores that, if they don't give us a response, (we will still) release it now in February.”
Collado maintained on January 17, 2023 that the Dominican Republic has between 83,000 to 85,000 hotel rooms, but, on the other hand, there are 93,000 available on Airbnb.