Latest news with #TheoYedinsky
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
'Totally unfair': Airbnb fights back over protests
A leading Airbnb executive has said it is 'totally unfair' to blame the firm for 'over-tourism' in Europe. Theo Yedinsky, vice-president for public policy at the American company, has accused regulators and residents of 'scapegoating' the app. The US giant, which allows jetsetters to book short-term home rentals, has been accused of causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots. But Yedinsky instead pointed the finger at hotels. Tourist levels have angered those living in major European cities, who complain that Airbnb has pushed up rents and reduced the permanent housing on offer for residents. It has even led to protests by locals in Barcelona, Amsterdam, Malaga and Santorini. Yedinsky told the Financial Times: 'We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres. The reality is overtourism is really driven by the hotels.' In Barcelona, where officials have ordered nearly 66,000 properties to be wiped from the app, Yedinsky told the newspaper the mayor should 'look at hotels' and 'build more housing'. 'They are scapegoating Airbnb. They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why it's not getting better,' he said. The app claims it helps local communities as it supports families who want to let their property to make ends meet, as well as boosting tourism to areas outside of main cities. But it has garnered many critics. Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez earlier this year said 'there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes'. Although most holidaymakers stay in hotels compared to short-term rentals, critics are concerned with the rapid growth of these properties. Visitors stayed in short lets for 715m nights compared to 1.9bn staying in hotels, according to data from the European Union. Apps such as Airbnb – founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk and Joe Gebbia – were effectively banned in New York in 2023. Closer to home, residents in tourist destinations incluyding Devon and Cornwall have complained that more landlords are letting properties to holidaymakers while locals struggle to find affordable homes. Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall Ben Maguire earlier this month claimed 'too many local families are being priced out while homes sit empty or churned through weekly rentals'.
Hospitality Net
a day ago
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Airbnb calls on EU cities to tackle the ‘overwhelming impact' of hotels on overtourism
Key Takeaways New report shows hotels account for almost 80% of guest nights in the EU Fewer homes, more hotels, some city districts now have three hotel rooms for every five residents, housing construction nears a decade low Hotel guests flock to the same hotspots, majority of Airbnb guest nights are outside of cities More guests and soaring hotel prices, overtourism is getting worse where Airbnb is restricted Airbnb has today called on city leaders to tackle the overwhelming impact of hotels on driving overtourism in the ten most visited cities in the European Union (EU). The call comes as a new Airbnb report released today highlights how overtourism in the EU is driven by hotels, which accounted for almost 80 percent of guest nights across the bloc in 2023 and 2024. It also shows that between 2021 and 2023, guest nights in the EU's ten most visited cities increased by over 200 million – or 2.5x – with hotels accounting for 75 percent of this growth. If cities are serious about easing overtourism, they must address the overwhelming impact of hotels. Europe needs more homes – not hotels – yet cities are building more hotels as the construction of housing in the region nears a decade low. Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb's Vice President of Public Policy The new report 'Overtourism in the EU' is based on official data from Eurostat and the World Tourism Organisation, as well as industry and Airbnb data. It shows that: Overtourism is overwhelmingly driven by hotels. In 2024, a record-breaking 3 billion tourist nights were spent in hotels and other similar accommodations in EU destinations. Hotels and other similar accommodations accounted for almost 80% of guest nights in the EU. As EU tourism recovered from Covid, total guest nights in the EU's 10 most popular cities grew by over 200 million – or 2.5x – between 2021 and 2023 alone. Hotels and other similar accommodations accounted for more than 75% of the increase. Across these EU cities in 2023, hotels accounted for five times more guest nights than Airbnb. Cities need more homes – not hotels. Hotel accommodation is overwhelmingly located in city centers. Central Amsterdam has 15x more hotel rooms or similar accommodations than Airbnb listings. There are approximately seven hotel beds for each short-term rental bed in Barcelona's Old Town. Close to 40,000 hotel rooms were opened in Europe in 2024 alone. At the end of 2024, nearly 250,000 hotel rooms were either under construction or in the planning phases across Europe. In some EU city districts – like Praha 1 in Prague and Santo Antonio in Lisbon – there are now approximately three hotel rooms per five local residents. In Spain alone, authorities have approved 800+ new hotel projects, adding 75,000 new hotel rooms across the country by 2026. Airbnb offers a different way to travel that spreads guests and benefits to more communities. Guests use Airbnb to escape tourist traps and discover new destinations, visiting a record-breaking 110,000 destinations worldwide in 2024. While hotel guests flock to the same cities year after year, the majority of guest nights stayed on Airbnb in the EU – almost 60% – were outside of cities. Annual Airbnb guest nights in the EU in 2024 grew faster in locations outside of cities compared to inside cities. In total across the top 10 most visited EU cities in 2024, over 260,000 Airbnb guests stayed in a neighbourhood without a hotel. Airbnb stays in neighbourhoods without hotels grew by roughly 60% between 2022 and 2024, signalling increasing interest from Airbnb guests in locations outside of overcrowded city centres. Half of Airbnb guests in the EU say they would not have visited the neighbourhood in which they stayed had it not been for a listing on Airbnb being located there. Overtourism is getting worse where Airbnb is restricted. Following the introduction of restrictions on short-term rentals in Amsterdam and Barcelona in 2018, guest nights continue to rise. By 2024 they had increased by 2.4 million in Amsterdam and 4.8 million in Barcelona. In the post-covid recovery period from 2021-2024, hotels accounted for 93% of the increase in guest nights in Amsterdam and 76% in Barcelona. With fewer accommodation options, hotel occupancy and prices have soared, with prices rising by 50% in Amsterdam and 35% in Barcelona between 2019 and spring 2025. Because hotels are concentrated in city centers, they exacerbate tourism overcrowding and deliver fewer tourism proceeds to families in the communities where locals actually live. In addition to providing an alternative to hotel-driven mass tourism, Airbnb helps families afford their homes and supports local communities. When guests stay in hotels, they spend money in hotels. For every dollar guests spend on Airbnb in the EU, they spend an average of $2.50 in the local community. Across France, Germany, Italy and Spain, travel on Airbnb contributed a total of $44.6 billion to GDP and supported a total of 627,000 jobs in 2024 alone. Almost half of hosts globally say the income they earn from hosting helps them afford their homes1. When guests stay in Airbnbs they discover new communities, help families afford their homes and support local businesses , said Theo Yedinsky. Where Airbnb is restricted, visitor numbers continue to rise, more guests stay in city centre hotels, and travel becomes more expensive – with fewer proceeds going to local families. We encourage leaders to look beyond hotels and embrace tourism that supports families and communities. The learn more, you can read the full report. 1. Based on Airbnb internal data. About Airbnb Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. About is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out charitable purpose. The inspiration for began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for supported stays on its platform. View source
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Airbnb blames hotels for ‘overtourism' in Europe
Airbnb has blamed the hotel industry for 'overtourism' in Europe, after regional governments launched crackdowns on holiday rentals. Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism from furious residents and regulators that the company is causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots. He claimed the rentals group was the victim of 'scapegoating' by local authorities, like in Spain, where large anti-tourism protests have become commonplace. Mr Yedinksy said it was the hotel industry that was driving overtourism, rather than Airbnb rentals. 'We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres, but the reality is overtourism is really driven by hotels. It is totally unfair,' Mr Yedinsky told the Financial Times. Airbnb and other short-term lettings like have been criticised for turning cities into places where locals can no longer afford to live because apartments are rented to tourists. In Venice, for instance, with an acute lack of affordable public housing, many families have moved to the mainland where rents are cheaper. Anti-tourism demonstrations have been commonplace in Europe in recent years, with about 10,000 people marching in Palma, Majorca last May against overtourism. Similar protests have occurred in Barcelona, Santa Cruz and the Canary Islands. This weekend is set to see another huge wave of anti-tourism protests all over Spain, with marches set to take place in Barcelona, Majorca, Granada, Ibiza and Minorca, as well as in Lisbon and Venice. These protests have seen angry locals spraying tourists with water guns and congregating on the street, with as many as 20,000 coming out to express anger at councils and local governments' management of mass tourism. In response, the Spanish government called for the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb properties across six regions of the country in May, claiming they breach regulations for tourist accommodation. Airbnb listings have been partly blamed for swallowing up the housing stock in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Barcelona aims to eliminate 10,000 of its short term lets by the end of 2028. 'I think the mayor of Barcelona needs to look at the construction of hotels, he needs to look at hotels in general . . . and they need to build more housing,' Mr Yedinksy said in response. 'They are scapegoating Airbnb. They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why it's not getting better,' he added. Spain received 94 million tourists in 2024, and Airbnb reported 500,000 listings in Spain in 2021 alone. Locals report that these huge levels of tourism have perpetuated housing crises, making it harder to buy and rent in cities like Barcelona and Lisbon. Councils have responded with increased regulations and city-planning schemes, with Barcelona recently announcing €30 million to revamp the tourist hotspot area of Ciutat Vella to improve services for locals such as housing and cultural spaces. Experts say that although hotels are still the most popular choice for tourists, Airbnb brings tourism to residential areas of cities, which can cause more discontent due to noise and over-crowded services usually reserved for locals. Studies on the effects of increased Airbnb lettings concluded that the rise in the short-term letting listed online have effects similar to gentrification, by increasing the value of neighbourhoods. Airbnb income was $2.65 billion in 2024, a massive 44% drop from 2023, reflecting the possible effect of tighter regulations and renters' anger with the company. Additionally, the company took a massive hit during the pandemic, with bookings down 85% at Covid-19's peak. However, Mr Yedinsky seems optimistic about the future, saying, 'this company will continue to be successful'. The company is reportedly aiming for 1 billion guests by 2028. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
a day ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Airbnb blames hotels for ‘overtourism' in Europe
Airbnb has blamed the hotel industry for ' overtourism ' in Europe, after regional governments launched crackdowns on holiday rentals. Theo Yedinsky, the Airbnb vice president for public policy, hit back at criticism from furious residents and regulators that the company is causing overcrowding in holiday hotspots. He claimed the rentals group was the victim of 'scapegoating' by local authorities, like in Spain, where large anti-tourism protests have become commonplace. Mr Yedinksy said it was the hotel industry that was driving overtourism, rather than Airbnb rentals. 'We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres, but the reality is overtourism is really driven by hotels. It is totally unfair,' Mr Yedinsky told the Financial Times. Airbnb and other short-term lettings like have been criticised for turning cities into places where locals can no longer afford to live because apartments are rented to tourists. In Venice, for instance, with an acute lack of affordable public housing, many families have moved to the mainland where rents are cheaper. Anti-tourism demonstrations have been commonplace in Europe in recent years, with about 10,000 people marching in Palma, Majorca last May against overtourism. Similar protests have occurred in Barcelona, Santa Cruz and the Canary Islands. This weekend is set to see another huge wave of anti-tourism protests all over Spain, with marches set to take place in Barcelona, Majorca, Granada, Ibiza and Minorca, as well as in Lisbon and Venice. These protests have seen angry locals spraying tourists with water guns and congregating on the street, with as many as 20,000 coming out to express anger at councils and local governments' management of mass tourism. In response, the Spanish government called for the removal of nearly 66,000 Airbnb properties across six regions of the country in May, claiming they breach regulations for tourist accommodation. Airbnb listings have been partly blamed for swallowing up the housing stock in cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Barcelona aims to eliminate 10,000 of its short term lets by the end of 2028. 'I think the mayor of Barcelona needs to look at the construction of hotels, he needs to look at hotels in general . . . and they need to build more housing,' Mr Yedinksy said in response. 'They are scapegoating Airbnb. They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why it's not getting better,' he added. Spain received 94 million tourists in 2024, and Airbnb reported 500,000 listings in Spain in 2021 alone. Locals report that these huge levels of tourism have perpetuated housing crises, making it harder to buy and rent in cities like Barcelona and Lisbon. Councils have responded with increased regulations and city-planning schemes, with Barcelona recently announcing €30 million to revamp the tourist hotspot area of Ciutat Vella to improve services for locals such as housing and cultural spaces. Experts say that although hotels are still the most popular choice for tourists, Airbnb brings tourism to residential areas of cities, which can cause more discontent due to noise and over-crowded services usually reserved for locals. Studies on the effects of increased Airbnb lettings concluded that the rise in the short-term letting listed online have effects similar to gentrification, by increasing the value of neighbourhoods. Airbnb income was $2.65 billion in 2024, a massive 44% drop from 2023, reflecting the possible effect of tighter regulations and renters' anger with the company. Additionally, the company took a massive hit during the pandemic, with bookings down 85% at Covid-19's peak. However, Mr Yedinsky seems optimistic about the future, saying, 'this company will continue to be successful'. The company is reportedly aiming for 1 billion guests by 2028.
The Guardian
a day ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Tui says ‘overtourism' is fault of short-term let companies not hotel industry
Europe's biggest travel operator, Tui, has hit back at an accusation by Airbnb that 'overtourism' is the fault of the hotel industry, arguing that short-term home rentals companies are instead to blame. Tensions have risen between rivals in the tourism industry after protests by local people against overcrowding, rising housing costs and bad behaviour by tourists in some holiday hotspots across the continent. Theo Yedinsky, vice-president for public policy at Airbnb, said in an interview that the company was being unfairly blamed and being made a 'scapegoat' by local authorities and protesters. 'We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres but the reality is overtourism is really driven by hotels,' Yedinskytold the Financial Times. 'It is totally unfair. They are scapegoating Airbnb.' Protests by residents have broken out in destinations including Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Venice, Amsterdam and the Greek island of Santorini. Authorities have taken action targeting the booming short-term lettings sector – led by services such as Airbnb, Vrbo and – in an attempt to alleviate a problem exacerbated by the post-pandemic boom in travel. Alexander Panczuk, group director of policy and reputation at Tui, said: 'It is not scapegoating, it is a very neutral analysis of the problem. 'The reason protesters hit the streets is because of issues with the cost of living and especially housing. Both are driven by the secondary home market and short-term leases. All the destinations where we have seen the conflict of tourists and living spaces in the last few years are not where [operators like] Tui are active.' Last month, the Spanish government ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings from its platform; in Portugal new short-term rental licences in Lisbon have been suspended, and earlier this year Greece introduced a one-year ban on new short-term rental registrations in Athens. Hotrec, the European hotel industry's lobby group, said the sector was highly regulated by authorities to fit with tourism capacity, and that services such as Airbnb needed to 'play by the same rules'. Hotels accounted for 63% of overnight visitors in Europe last year, while apartments, vacation rentals and other short-term rentals made up 24%, and campsites 13%, according to Eurostat data. While the estimated number of overnight stays in hotels rose by less than 4% year-on-year in 2024, the short let market surged by 8%, an increase of 57m. Yedinsky argued that the targeting of services such as Airbnb by governments has not improved the situation because most of the issues do not stem from short-term rentals. Sign up to Business Today Get set for the working day – we'll point you to all the business news and analysis you need every morning after newsletter promotion Citing the example of Barcelona, he said the mayor 'needs to look at the construction of hotels, he needs to look at hotels in general … and they need to build more housing'. 'They are attacking a fraction of the problem and then wondering why it's not getting better,' he said. However, Tui, which had 20.3m customers book its various holiday services last year, said local authorities were not trying to shift the blame. Panczuk said: 'Knowing the destination policy stakeholders they are mainly interested in solving their issues, not scapegoating as if it's an easy answer to their problem. 'We talk a lot with our destination partners, ministers and MPs from various destinations, and it is mainly about [the issues] with holiday rentals. It is a topic that is discussed a lot because there is a real problem.'
