Island bookings battle Airbnb

IT has long been the bane of communities who feel overrun by tourists flocking to holiday lets.

But now islanders are fighting back against property rental website Airbnb by setting up their own company to raise money for locals.

IsleHoliday.com was set up by community interest company Isle Develop, based on the Isle of Tiree, Argyll, and will list holiday lets from around Scottish islands.

It is hoped the site will keep tourism money in the local community and help fund affordable housing on islands.

Like Airbnb, IsleHoliday will charge commission on every booking taken – 12 per cent as standard, or 10 per cent for properties owned by islanders.

Payments will go towards running the business – which already supports two island jobs – but all surplus will go into the Isle Develop fund.

Founder Rhoda Meek, from Tiree, said: ‘We want to put faces to places and start to change the narrative from destination first to community first.’