Holiday rental owners are to host a town hall meeting on Tuesday to discuss how a new fee they face will impact the tourism industry and effect the economy.

The introduction of the Vacation Rentals (Application and Registration) Fees Act 2023 in September, along with existing land tax and a Bermuda Tourism Authority fee, is regarded as a triple tax by the Bermuda Rental Association of Vacation-Home Owners.

A spokeswoman for the group said: “This event aims to address the concerns of the vacation rental industry, stakeholders and service providers regarding the new Vacation Rentals (Application and Registration) Fees Act 2023 and how it will impact the tourism industry, the economy and businesses' bottom line, and the ‘trickle down effect’ on the whole island.

“Determining a pathway forward with beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders. Everyone is welcome to attend, we are all stakeholders.”

The fee introduced in September is based on the annual rental value of the rental property.

The group wrote to David Burt, the Premier, and Vance Campbell, then the Minister of Tourism, in September requesting that enforcement against noncompliance of payment of the fee should be delayed and consultation with industry furthered.

Under the legislation, properties with an annual value below $22,800 will pay $1,500 a year, those valued between $22,801 to $90,000 will pay $2,000, and a $2,500 yearly fee for rental value at $90,001 and above.

The spokeswoman said previously that the legislation overlooks numerous operational costs incurred by an industry still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group has joined representatives of the farming, fishing and taxi industries, as well as education stakeholders, in staging a series of protests against government policies they say are harming their livelihoods.

The meeting takes place at St Paul’s Church Hall, 68 Middle Road, Paget on Tuesday from 6pm to 8pm. Doors open at 5.30pm and all are welcome to attend.