What's a world without Airbnb?

How will Barcelona's ban on short-term rentals by 2028 and similar measures in other major cities affect our travel habits?

Barcelona is not the only city to heavily regulate or outright ban short-term rentals. As of September 2023, it will be illegal in New York City to rent out an apartment as a short-term rental unless you are registered and present during the guest's stay, a move aimed at addressing the housing crisis. Berlin banned Airbnbs and short-term rentals in 2014, only to reinstate them in 2018 under strict regulations. Many coastal California cities, such as Santa Monica, have either banned or severely restricted short-term rentals.

This mirrors a global trend: Airbnb, which dominates the short-term rental market with more than 50% of online bookings, and platforms like VRBO, Booking.com, and Expedia.com are under increased scrutiny. This scrutiny raises questions about the purpose of tourism and how to balance the benefits for tourists and local residents.

Get the full story at BBC