The Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA), long regarded as the backbone of the island’s hospitality sector, is facing an increasingly uncertain future. Rising membership fees have placed added strain on hotels, many of which are already grappling with high operating costs and fluctuating visitor numbers. At the same time, the tourism landscape is being reshaped by the rapid growth of Airbnb and other short-term rental platforms, which operate outside the association’s framework.
This influx of alternative accommodations has created a competitive imbalance. While hotels shoulder the financial burden of BHTA membership, contributing to marketing campaigns, training programs, and industry advocacy, Airbnb hosts contribute nothing to the association. Yet they benefit indirectly from the same national tourism promotion and infrastructure that hotels help fund. The result is mounting frustration among hoteliers who feel they are subsidizing an industry in which competitors play by different rules.
The challenge is not unique to Barbados. Across the Caribbean and globally, traditional hotel associations are struggling to adapt to the disruptive force of peer-to-peer rentals. For the BHTA, the issue is particularly pressing because its funding model relies heavily on membership dues. As more hotels question the value of paying higher fees while facing competition from unregulated rentals, the association’s ability to sustain its operations and fulfil its mandate is at risk.
Industry leaders argue that a more balanced approach is needed. This could involve government regulation requiring Airbnb operators to contribute to tourism development funds or participate in association initiatives. Without such measures, the BHTA may find itself weakened at a time when Barbados needs a strong, unified voice to navigate global competition and ensure the island remains a premier destination. The future of the association—and by extension, the stability of the tourism sector—depends on finding a fair solution that recognizes the contributions of all players in the industry.
