The debate over overcrowded European cities and skyrocketing rents is heating up again, with Airbnb once again in the spotlight.
But according to Theo Yedinsky, Airbnb’s vice-president for public policy, blaming the app for Europe’s over-tourism woes isn’t quite fair.
Airbnb Says Hotels Are the Bigger Problem
Yedinsky argues that many regulators and local residents are unfairly pointing fingers at Airbnb.
Instead, he says the real issue lies with hotels, which he believes play a much bigger role in causing overcrowding in popular holiday destinations.
In a recent interview with the Financial Times, he said, “We end up getting a lot of the blame, especially in city centres.
The reality is overtourism is really driven by the hotels.”
He pointed out cities like Barcelona, where authorities have removed tens of thousands of Airbnb listings, saying the mayor should focus more on hotels and building affordable housing instead.
Locals Protest as Housing Crisis Grows
The tension in European cities is real. In places like Barcelona, Amsterdam, Malaga, and Santorini, locals have protested, frustrated by how short-term rentals like Airbnb allegedly push rents up and shrink the availability of permanent homes for residents.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has also weighed in, saying earlier this year that “there are too many Airbnbs and not enough homes.”
This highlights the growing concern about how rapid growth in short-term rentals impacts housing markets.
How Big Is Airbnb’s Role Compared to Hotels?
Despite the criticism, data shows that most tourists still prefer hotels.
Visitors spent about 715 million nights in short-term rentals across Europe, compared to a whopping 1.9 billion nights in hotels, according to EU statistics.
Airbnb, founded in 2008, has faced major crackdowns too — in New York, for example, short-term rentals were nearly banned in 2023.
The Issue Hits Closer to Home in the UK
Closer to home, tourist hotspots like Devon and Cornwall have seen similar challenges.
Residents complain that landlords increasingly rent out homes to holidaymakers, making it harder for locals to find affordable housing.
Ben Maguire, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall, recently said, “Too many local families are being priced out while homes sit empty or churned through weekly rentals.”
It’s a problem communities across the UK are trying to address.
Airbnb’s Defense and What Comes Next
Airbnb defends itself by saying the platform supports local families who rent out their homes to make ends meet and helps spread tourism beyond city centers.
But the debate is far from settled, with many calling for stronger regulations to balance tourism with the needs of local residents.
