Isaac Martinez, a local Airbnb and business owner in El Paso, Texas, says a new city ordinance requiring short-term vacation rental owners to contribute to the hotel occupancy tax will not directly impact owners. The tax will be applied to guests looking for a short-term rental in the city.

Ordinance Details

The city of El Paso approved the ordinance to create a more equitable lodging tax structure, generating an estimated $3.5 million annually to support tourism-related investments. Martinez, who runs his business with a servant-led approach, aims to support other homeowners and families through his full-service business that helps people start and maintain their Airbnbs.

According to Martinez, the taxes will be applied directly to guests, and the city is working to partner with short-term rental platforms to apply the taxes directly. The city has not yet determined the exact amount of the tax, as implementation and outreach are still in progress. The ordinance is set to begin no earlier than 90 days and no later than 180 days after adoption.

Martinez believes that owners who run their businesses professionally will not face significant problems or issues with occupancy or bookings, as the ordinance will create a level playing field with hotels and other hosts. He also thinks that guests will not be greatly affected by the ordinance, as they often look for amenities that hotels do not provide, such as a more comfortable stay and the ability to host family gatherings.

Martinez’s plan for his business is to continue improving his properties and making them better for guests, taking advantage of the opportunity to become better hosts and attract the right guests. With the city’s efforts to bring in events like concerts and sports games, Martinez sees the ordinance as a benefit to his business, allowing him to charge competitive prices and generate more bookings.

Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.