Accommodation site's popularity grows

Tourism bosses say they welcome the rapid growth in popularity of online accommodation firm Airbnb in the Isle of Man.

Sixty Manx properties are now listed on the site, a five-fold increase over the past year - expanding the range of accommodation on offer to visitors and widening the Island's reach around the world. 

However, quality as well as quantity counts according to Head of Tourism Angela Byrne, who's reminding owners marketing their properties through Airbnb, they must register with the government.

Formal registration aims to ensure minimum quality standards and regulatory requirements are met: not to register is an offence.

Anyone planning to use Airbnb is urged to visit the site's responsible hosting page or contact the department.

Latest official figures show a 6.5% increase in tourist visits to the Island in 2015 compared to the previous year.

Ms Byrne said: 'The Island's new Destination Management Plan has outlined target markets seeking a diverse selection of accommodation and range of experiences.' 

'Airbnb can help highlight these unique travel experiences for our visitors.'