The administration of the TT Homestay scheme has been moved to the private sector.
The Department of Economic Development yesterday announced that local travel firm Regency Travel had taken over responsibility for the operation of the Homestay scheme on its behalf.
From yesterday all available Homestay accommodation was longer be listed on the Visit Isle of Man website and instead featured on Regency’s www.iomttbreaks.com, which is now the only website that offers officially-registered Homestay accommodation.
Seventeen per cent of the visitors to the TT last year used Homestay accommodation, while in the Festival of Motorcycling (the Manx Grand Prix and associated events), 7 per cent used Homestay.
Under Homestay, residents open their houses to visitors and take a fee from them.
Homestay can be offered during TT for any number of nights between May 24 and June 6 and for the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling between August 16 and 29.
Last year more than 700 properties were registered.
The registration fee is £25 and covers both events. Participants registering a property through the scheme will be covered by public liability insurance for the period the property is registered.
Any Isle of Man householder interested in registering their property for Homestay or any potential visitor interested in staying in Homestay-registered accommodation should contact Regency Travel on 694456, email sales@iomttbreaks.com or visit www.iomttbreaks.com