We have rented private homes and apartments in MANY countries and in the USA for years but only on Homeaway or VRBO (same company). I don't know why they are keying on AirBNB but maybe because it used to be a "rent a room in your house" kinda thing but has since evolved. I checked Homeaway and there are also many hundreds of private homes/apartments for rent in St. Martin

We MUCH prefer renting a home/apartment than a hotel room but that is our preference (we have never done this in SXM though)

When we rent in the USA we pay taxes on the rental (in most states...Florida 11%)...that is a given. We also pay a rental fee to the agency.

St. Martin should just get with the program and tax the rentals like a hotel does. It would make private rentals cost a bit more but then it would be up to the consumer to decide if they want to spend two weeks or more in a room or in a home or apartment.....

Even the playing field and let the market decide. IT's up to St. Martin not AirBNB/Homeaway

Full disclosure: In SXM I would much rather stay in a resort on the water than a home a bit away from it and a home ON the water might be a bit too pricey for me <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />