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Airbnb has agreed to collect the U.S. Virgin Islands’ 12.5% hotel occupancy tax on behalf of hosts and remit the funds to the government.

Gov. Kenneth Mapp supported the agreement.

“This is good for our government because it streamlines the collection process and enables more of our residents to participate in the visitor industry. Our hospitality sector will benefit from the promotional reach of this multibillion-dollar organization,” Mapp said.

Airbnb has approximately 2,000 active listings across the USVI. A typical Airbnb host’s revenue is $7,700 a year.

“As local hosts bring more tourism to the region, visitors get to know the destination from an organic and more authentic point of view, spending with local businesses and services as well as encouraging others to visit the islands [St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas] as a result of their positive experiences,” said Shawn Sullivan, Airbnb’s public policy manager for the Caribbean and Central America.

Sоurсе: travelweekly.com