Opposition slams Government over pre-dawn passage of GCT on short-term rentals

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Andrea Purkiss, Opposition Spokesperson on Tourism and Linkages, is taking the Government to task following the approval of legislation that applies General Consumption Tax (GCT) to short-term rentals, a category that captures Airbnb listings. The bill cleared Parliament at roughly 2:00 am on Wednesday.

According to Purkiss, the measure was pushed through “like a thief in the night” without any public debate or consultation with stakeholders. The new charge is scheduled to come into force on April 1, 2027.

Jamaica's short-term rental sector has expanded sharply over recent years. Guest numbers climbed from 59,500 in 2017 to more than 800,000 in 2024, with property owners earning in excess of $32 billion during that period.

The segment has drawn investment from Jamaicans at home and in the diaspora, many of whom let rooms or extra units on their premises to offset household expenses and supplement their income.

“The Government's decision to rush this through in the dead of night shows complete disregard for the thousands of ordinary Jamaicans who depend on short term rentals to survive. There was no warning, no consultation, just stealth. We demand an explanation,” Purkiss said.

The Opposition is now pressing for full transparency and a comprehensive impact assessment before the GCT regime takes effect.