Airbnb has urged city leaders in the European Union to address the significant impact of hotels on overtourism in the region's most visited cities. This call follows a new report by Airbnb, which highlights that hotels were responsible for nearly 80% of guest nights across the EU in 2023 and 2024. The report also notes a substantial increase in guest nights between 2021 and 2023, with hotels contributing to 75% of this growth.
Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb’s Vice President of Public Policy, stated, "If cities are serious about easing overtourism, they must address the overwhelming impact of hotels." He added that Europe requires more homes rather than hotels as housing construction approaches a decade low.
The report titled 'Overtourism in the EU' draws from data provided by Eurostat and the World Tourism Organization alongside industry and Airbnb data. It argues that Airbnb offers an alternative to hotel-driven mass tourism by helping families afford their homes and supporting local communities. According to Airbnb, guests staying at Airbnbs spend significantly within local communities—$2.50 for every dollar spent on accommodation.
In countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, travel via Airbnb contributed $44.6 billion to GDP and supported approximately 627,000 jobs in 2024 alone. Almost half of global hosts claim that income from hosting helps them maintain their homes.
Yedinsky further commented on how guests staying at Airbnbs benefit local economies: "When guests stay in Airbnbs they discover new communities, help families afford their homes and support local businesses." He emphasized that where restrictions on Airbnb exist, visitor numbers continue to rise with more guests opting for city center hotels leading to increased travel costs with fewer benefits reaching local families.
For additional details, readers are encouraged to consult the full report.