Visit Isle of Man has appointed new local firm, Homestay IOM Limited, to operate the Isle of Man Homestay Scheme for the upcoming tourism season and beyond.
The Isle of Man Homestay Scheme provides Isle of Man households the opportunity to host paying visitors for the TT Races and Manx Grand Prix.
For the signature TT Races, hosts could earn up to £2,350 tax free income by registering their property.
Homestay IOM Ltd
Homestay IOM Limited, a sister company to holiday lettings agency Island Escapes, will manage all aspects of the scheme.
This will include registrations, property inspections, fire safety requirements and have plans to introduce an online booking facility.
The appointment follows a tender process by which Homestay IOM Limited were awarded the three year contract, with the possibility for extension.
Registration for scheme
The new company will keep registration fees the same at £60 per property for a one-year registration and quality inspection.
Hosts wishing to register for two years can do so for £80, equating to £40 per year.
This is to ensure quality standards are met, aligning with targets outlined in Visit Isle of Man’s ten-year Visitor Economy Strategy, to ensure the Isle of Man delivers an exceptional visitor experience for all visitors.
Website launch
A new website and online booking platform will be launched for the scheme, which plans to show the “breadth of Government-registered properties available to book”.
Along with the standard registration which includes a listing on the new Isle of Man Homestay Scheme website, the company will be introducing additional services such as marketing, payment handling, and cleaning and laundry services.
John Keggin and Jamie Stott, Directors of Homestay IOM Limited, commented:
“We are delighted with the appointment of Homestay IOM Limited as the new operator of the Homestay Scheme.
“Through Island Escapes, our established team is already committed to ensuring that visitors experience the utmost comfort and hospitality during their stay, so we’re excited to work collaboratively with Visit Isle of Man and local hosts to enhance the homestay experience in new and innovative ways.”
John Keggin and Jamie Stott, Directors of Homestay IOM Limited
The pair hope that with the introduction of these new facilities the scheme will become more accessible and interactive for both hosts and visitors by offering a “quicker and easier booking process, enhancing the overall visitor experience”.
Current homestay scheme hosts
Current homestay hosts with valid registrations will be automatically transferred over to Homestay IOM Limited.
They will need to renew with the new operators on the renewal date specified on their registration.
For further information about the scheme for existing homestay hosts, to register or to become a new host, contact the Homestay IOM Limited team by email at host@homestay.im or on 01624 820620.
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