Mitur moves forward with Airbnb regulation: the details

The Ministry of Tourism has put short-term vacation rental platforms like Airbnb on the regulatory radar. According to Arecoa, Mitur is already advancing the process to align these accommodations with the rules of the Dominican tourism sector. This is no whim: it’s about bringing order to a market that has grown uncontrolled and, in many cases, competes unfairly with formal hotels.

I see it clearly: regulating Airbnb is not about targeting the small host, but leveling the playing field. We’re talking safety, tax compliance, and basic standards. The measure can be a win-win if applied smartly: more revenue for the state, more protection for travelers, and a level field where hotels and platforms compete under the same rules. But the devil is in the details: how will enforcement work? What requirements are realistic for a person renting out their apartment? Mitur needs to stay grounded.

What’s certain is that the Dominican Republic can’t leave a channel that already moves millions of room nights per year outside the law. Regulation is not a threat, it’s an opportunity for formalization. Tourism professionals should welcome this move toward order. Now it’s time to work together so the letter of the law doesn’t stifle innovation.