Staycation Scotland: Island holidays website to plough profits into local communities

A new website advertising holiday rentals on the Scottish islands is set to donate all profits to benefit local people.
By Ilona Amos
Published 1st Dec 2021, 04:55 BST
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The new venture, isleHoliday.com, has been set up by community interest company Isle Develop, which is based on the Isle of Tiree.

It is billed as a community-focused alternative to the popular AirBnB accommodation site and a means of raising funds for affordable housing and long-term rental properties.

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The aim behind the initiative is to ensure that more revenue generated by tourism in the islands stays in local communities.

Like AirBnB, isleHoliday will charge commission on every booking taken – 12 per cent as standard, or 10 per cent for properties owned by islanders.

Payments will go towards running the business – which already supports two island jobs – but all surplus will go into the Isle Develop fund.

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That fund will focus on supporting small businesses, community schemes and housing projects across the Scottish islands.

Rhoda meek is the founder of community interest company Isle Develop, which is behind the new isleHoliday.com accommodation site - described as a community-focused version of the popular AirBnB platformRhoda meek is the founder of community interest company Isle Develop, which is behind the new isleHoliday.com accommodation site - described as a community-focused version of the popular AirBnB platform
Rhoda meek is the founder of community interest company Isle Develop, which is behind the new isleHoliday.com accommodation site - described as a community-focused version of the popular AirBnB platform

The founders say they want to make sure the islands remain great places to live and work as well as great places to visit.

Rhoda Meek, founder of Isle Develop, said, “The housing problems caused by the short-term letting market in the islands are well documented.

“It will take time to change that situation and involve action at a local and national government level.

“But in the meantime, the letting market exists.

The new social enterprise venture isleHoliday.com will donate all profits from holiday rental bookings across the Scottish islands to benefit local communitiesThe new social enterprise venture isleHoliday.com will donate all profits from holiday rental bookings across the Scottish islands to benefit local communities
The new social enterprise venture isleHoliday.com will donate all profits from holiday rental bookings across the Scottish islands to benefit local communities

“Our goal is to use it to generate revenue which can be used to the benefit of our communities - particularly in relation to affordable housing and long-term rental options for residents.”

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