Tourist accommodation on the Isle of Man can bring ‘benefits’ to the Manx economy and support island communities. That’s according to the boss of Island Escapes, an award-winning holiday lettings firm, after Port Erin Commissioners confirmed it would no longer support any planning applications to turn residential properties into tourist accommodation. Back in April, Commissioner Hannah Mackenzie complained of a ‘huge amount’ of holiday homes in the seaside community and voiced fears that the village could eventually be rendered ‘dormant’.
Island Escapes Managing Director John Keggin says he doesn’t believe a blanket rule to control an increase in holiday lets, insisting that tourism is not a ‘threat’ and should be seen as an ‘opportunity’. Luxury knitwear manufacturer to move its operations from London to the Isle of Man Luxury apartment complex at ex-hotel site will include private club lounge and gym Final cost of new Liverpool Ferry Terminal still not known to government Tesco boss gives update on when next two supermarkets will open Speaking to the BBC Local Democracy Service, he said: ‘Tourism is a key part of our economy, and there's certain parts of the island that have been built on tourism, and the community is very much part of that. So it creates jobs for the community.
‘A property that's being used rather than lying empty and has people staying in it and spending money is really generating good benefits for the economy. ‘That's money .