The deadline for businesses to register their visitor accommodation with the Department for Enterprise is February 11.

Providers including hotels, self-catering units, guest accommodation, guest houses, bed and breakfasts, farm-stays, inns, restaurants with rooms, serviced apartments, campsites and hostels are all required to register their business with the department to ensure they comply with the statutory requirement to offer visitor accommodation.

Rob Callister MHK, department member with responsibility for tourism and the visitor economy, said: ’The department operates a range of registration schemes that give visitors confidence in the quality and facilities of the accommodation here in the Isle of Man, protecting our reputation as a first-class visitor destination and aiding the growth of our visitor economy.

’The mandatory registration of accommodation in the Isle of Man is an important way of ensuring essential standards are upheld, including adherence to fire safety and inclusion of the appropriate insurance.

’Any businesses or individuals receiving payment for accommodation services must be registered.

Any business or individual currently listed on websites such as Airbnb that is not registered with the department is advised to remove their listing and contact the department o be guided through the registration process and which schemes apply to them.

The island’s tourism legislation is under public consultation.

The closing date for the receipt of responses is January 26.

Any accommodation businesses with questions surrounding the registration process should contact Nicola Wilkinson at [email protected] or call 685965.