Residents encouraged to open up their homes for TT

Manx residents have been encouraged to open up their homes during the TT festival to help meet the surge in demand for accommodation.

Under the Homestay scheme, households host paying visitors. Following changes in this year's Budget, the tax-free allowance has been increased from £2,350 to £2,500.

This, the government said, was hoped to make it an "increasingly attractive scheme".

Deborah Heather, Visit Isle of Man's chief executive, said it "not only helps us meet accommodation demand during these busy periods" but also enables residents to showcase the island's "community spirit".

She said TT generated "substantial economic benefit for the island and supportedjobs and businesses across the tourism and hospitality industry".

Last year's event saw a record number of visitors, with 51,000 people traveling to the island during the TT fortnight. There was an estimated on-island spend of £50m.

Operated by Homestay IOM Limited, on behalf of Visit Isle of Man, registration is required for households hosting visitors during TT, Classic TT and Manx Grand Prix.

The process includes an inspection, official certification and public liability insurance arranged by the Department for Enterprise.

Homestay IOM director John Keggin said: "Homestay has been a core part of the island's motorsport experience for many years, providing visitors with welcoming, comfortable and affordable places to stay, while giving residents a straightforward way to benefit financially."

Registration for the scheme closes at the end of April, with this year's TT scheduled for 25 May until 7 June.

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