Short-term rentals are increasingly drawing the attention of governments and citizens alike. Recently, particularly in Europe, there has been a continuous rollout of measures, rules, and restrictions aimed at curbing the expansion of the Airbnb phenomenon.
However, as is usually the case, there are two sides to every coin.
“We’ll book an Airbnb for our stay”
Who among us hasn’t said this when planning a short getaway, even for just a single night?
Choosing an Airbnb property is often an immediate and practical solution when we need to relocate for a short or extended period. Whether for holidays or business commitments, for several years now, the first things we look for in accommodation are the comfort and autonomy that an Airbnb provides.
Staying in an Airbnb replaces the comfort of home. In a recent pan-European survey conducted on behalf of Airbnb, more than 8 out of 10 Europeans stated that they required temporary housing due to relocating for a specific period.
The myth that Airbnb is only for tourists
The belief that Airbnbs cater solely or primarily to tourists travelling for leisure is, fortunately, beginning to fade.
People choose Airbnbs for a variety of reasons:
- Medical reasons: There are Airbnb properties located very close to hospitals and other medical facilities, which cater to patients. Sparrow offers apartments in areas near hospitals, which are predominantly chosen by those with scheduled medical appointments who benefit from staying close by.
- Start of the academic year/semester: They serve as a transitional step from the family home to a new city while students search for their long-term accommodation for the duration of their studies.
- Shelter during natural disasters: More than 250,000 people affected by natural disasters have been provided with free overnight stays since 2020 through the non-profit organisation Airbnb.org, founded by Airbnb.
- Major events: International competitions, concerts, or major sporting events temporarily drive up the demand for accommodation.
Arrivals within the European Union and other statistics
Over the past year, more than 114 million guest arrivals were recorded within the European Union alone, translating to over 904,000 jobs.
Furthermore, 80% of hosts within the EU own a single Airbnb property, with 47% of them stating that this income plays a supplementary role in their household budget.
The above figures demonstrate that short-term rentals are not solely about tourism; they frequently meet genuine temporary housing needs for thousands of people.
At the same time, the debate surrounding the housing crisis in Europe cannot ignore other factors, such as the vast number of vacant properties. According to data cited by Airbnb, up to 1 in 5 homes in the European Union remains unoccupied, whilst in countries like Greece, Spain, and Portugal alone, it is estimated that there are over 14 million empty homes.
The discussion regarding housing appears to be far more complex, with short-term rentals forming just one piece of a much wider picture.
