Kingston, Jamaica — In the early 2000s, a subtle shift is beginning to take place across Jamaica’s tourism and housing landscape. While hotels continue to dominate the island’s visitor economy, a small but growing number of property owners are quietly experimenting with short-term rentals, adjusting their prices around peak seasons, holidays, and major events.
It is not yet a formal industry. There is no global platform connecting hosts to travellers. But the fundamentals are already visible.
Homeowners, particularly in resort towns such as Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril, are beginning to realise that their properties can generate income beyond long-term tenancy. Instead of fixed rents, they are testing flexible pricing models, raising nightly rates during the winter tourist season and lowering them during slower months.
This approach, now referred to in some circles as “seasonal pricing,” is quietly reshaping how property value is understood.
