Skye tourism organisation warns new brief time period lets rules might devastate sector

A Skye tourism organization has taken up the Scottish government’s plans for a licensing system for short-term rentals, calling it “extremely onerous” and a “double blow” for micro-businesses after the effects of Covid, warning that it could destroy the sector.

In a webinar hosted by SkyeConnect, it found that in a survey by the Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC), one in three members said the strict regulations would make their businesses unprofitable, and nearly half said they would leave the industry while A third said they would leave their properties empty or convert them for personal use.

The regulations include annual license and monitoring fees that can run in excess of £ 2000 per company. Curfew for the arrival and departure of guests; Occupancy limits and regular property inspections.

David Weston, chairman of the B&B Association, told the meeting that new rules for Skye businesses would be disastrous.

He said: “These micro-businesses, like many thousands across Scotland, are a cornerstone of Scottish tourism for both national and international visitors.

“In the islands, in rural areas, and in highland villages across the country, B & Bs and self-catering are often the only tourist accommodations, and their guests’ expenses support these fragile economies.

“Businesses are understandably very concerned that the poorly drafted ‘Short-Term Lets’ licensing laws are placing a tremendous burden on micro-businesses in Skye and across Scotland and would be a disastrous ‘double blow’ after these small family businesses have been dealt with by Covid-19 hit so disproportionately. “

Karen Parker has been running Lochshore House B&B in Edinbane for eight years.

The company is rated 4 * Gold by Visit Scotland and has received numerous awards.

Ms. Parker said when the rules go into effect she will be giving up the business she loves.

“Last year I made less than 10% of the income I normally earn with Covid.

“While I’m usually almost fully booked at this point, I only have six bookings this year.

“The idea of ​​£ 2,000 would wipe out any profit as it is.

“Lochshore House is my family home and we work so hard to get everything right and to make things right for our guests. There is nothing more we can do to make it better.

“The regulations allow the council or the police to enter the house when you are not there.

“This makes me uncomfortable and I’m not ready to do it.”

In normal years, four guests from her B&B go to the Edinbane Inn for dinner every night from March to November, she added.

“The impact on the local economy will be huge if B&B owners go out of business.”

The sector has until January 22nd to submit written evidence to the Scottish Government’s Local Government and Communities Committee. He meets on January 27th to approve or reject the regulations.

Dave Till, Chairman of SkyeConnect, said, “We know how detrimental licensing legislation will be to tourism and the economy of Skye and Scotland as a whole. “We urge all interested parties to write to their MSP and provide evidence to the committee as soon as possible to stop the introduction of such onerous regulation.”

For Fiona Campbell, executive director of ASSC, legislation is a blunt tool to fix a perceived problem.

She said, “The regulation that B & B and self-catering companies face can damage our vital sector from which it will never recover.

“The ASSC believes that a licensing system is a blunt tool to address a perceived and localized problem by amateur operators in Edinburgh, rather than a solution that is applicable to the whole of Scotland.”