Once again this year, Compliance Officers will be hitting the roads of Prince Edward Island to ensure that all properties being rented during the tourism season are licensed and operating legally. They will work with Quality Tourism Services (QTS), the industry owned inspection agency, to ensure that those who rent vacation properties on PEI are following the legal guidelines set out by the Tourism Industry Act and the Highway Advertisement Act for Prince Edward Island. Their mandate is to investigate any violations with respect to the provincial signage and accommodation licensing regulations.
There has been an increase in non-compliance to the Act over the last couple of years and it is unfair to those who DO comply to ignore those that disregard the regulations. Licensing ensures that anyone who rents vacation property on PEI is protected under the guidelines laid out in the Act.
Quality Tourism Services will work closely with the Compliance Officers and provide information on those who are not complying. An information package outlines the requirements and the process to become licensed. This package will help property owners through the process of being licensed - which includes a property inspection and the collection of water for testing.
"The tourism industry wants every accommodation on the Island to be safe, clean and comfortable for guests," said Greg Deighan, Minister of Tourism. "The Island's $320 million dollar industry depends on it."
Any new tourism accommodation owners and those interested in obtaining further information are invited to contact the QTS office at 566-3501.