Over the last decade, Airbnb has revolutionized how people travel. What began as a budget-friendly way to experience destinations “like a local” has evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry shaping global tourism. But beneath the convenience and charm, a growing backlash is spreading from city to city. From Barcelona to New York, locals are calling for tighter regulations or even outright bans on short-term rentals.
The reason is simple yet complex: Airbnb’s success has come at a cost. As more properties shift from long-term housing to tourist accommodation, rent prices rise, neighborhoods change, and local residents are pushed out. What was once a community-sharing platform now stands accused of fueling housing crises in some of the world’s most beloved destinations.
For travelers, this growing tension poses a new ethical question how do you explore the world responsibly without contributing to the problem? Understanding the roots of the Airbnb backlash is the first step toward finding a more sustainable way to travel.
Is booking an Airbnb part of the problem?
This article unpacks the Airbnb backlash, explains how short-term rentals impact real communities, and offers better ways to travel responsibly—without giving up comfort or character.
Read Here European Things that terrify Americans and American Habits that make Europeans Cringe
Read here how to pack for Europe and Best eSIM for Europe
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE
Two of our favorite travel insurance: Heymondo Vs Safetwing cheapest travel Insurance. You can get for $135 USD your Heymondo Travel Insurance with Heymondo discount code valid for 90 days. Read our full comparison of Genki vs Safetywing Travel Insurance Review and the comparison Heymondo vs Genki
Quick, Easy Tips for Responsible Travelers
Stay local: Choose small hotels, family-run inns, or verified sustainable accommodations.
Check local laws: Some cities heavily regulate or restrict short-term rentals—stay compliant.
Book directly: Many independent properties offer the same rates without platform fees.
Travel off-season: Reduce pressure on housing markets and enjoy more authentic experiences.
Ask questions: If using Airbnb, confirm your host is a resident, not a commercial operator.
Be considerate: Respect building rules, noise levels, and neighborhood privacy.
Supporters of Airbnb argue that the backlash is overblown. They claim the platform democratized travel, giving ordinary people affordable accommodation and local hosts an extra source of income. Many hosts insist they rely on Airbnb earnings to cover mortgages or supplement wages, especially in cities where the cost of living continues to rise. To them, restricting Airbnb feels like punishing individuals for the broader failures of housing policy.
Critics, however, see Airbnb as part of a global real estate problem. In many urban centers, investors have bought up entire buildings for short-term rentals, turning once-lively neighborhoods into transient zones for tourists. Residents complain of lost community, noise, and skyrocketing rents. What began as a peer-to-peer sharing model has, in some cities, turned into commercial tourism at the expense of locals.
The truth sits somewhere in between. Airbnb can coexist with local communities but only with balance and accountability. The backlash isn’t just about tourists; it’s about restoring fairness. The question isn’t whether Airbnb should exist, but how it should evolve so that travel benefits everyone not just those passing through.
What Went Wrong With the Airbnb Dream?
Originally, Airbnb was a peer-to-peer platform. People rented out a spare room or their apartment when they were away. Hosts and guests connected, stories were exchanged, and neighborhoods stayed alive.
But then it scaled. Big.
Now, many listings are:
Investor-owned properties
Entire buildings turned into mini-hotels
Run by management companies, not local hosts
Airbnb has become a multi-billion dollar industry—and that shift has come at a cost to the very communities it claimed to support.
Why Locals Are Pushing Back
1. Rising Rents and Housing Shortages
In cities with housing crises, Airbnb has made things worse. Long-term rentals are being pulled off the market to make way for short-term profits.
Result:
Locals can’t afford to live in their own neighborhoods
Renters are displaced by landlords converting homes into Airbnbs
Property values spike, making ownership unreachable for many residents
Barcelona, Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Florence are prime examples where Airbnb is blamed for driving residents out of city centers.
2. Ghost Neighborhoods
In once-vibrant districts, locals are replaced by rolling suitcases and keypad locks.
These “ghost towns”:
Have fewer schools, grocery stores, or clinics
Lose long-term community ties
Feel more like tourist zones than real neighborhoods
In Venice, a city with just 50,000 residents left, over 8,000 entire homes are listed as short-term rentals. The result? Locals call it a theme park.
3. Strain on Infrastructure
Short-term guests use resources—water, electricity, public services—but don’t pay taxes like residents. That creates a burden on local infrastructure without contributing to its upkeep.
Think:
Trash piles
Water shortages in hot climates
Noise complaints in residential buildings
Airbnb profits. Locals pay the price.
4. Unfair Competition With Hotels
Hotels pay taxes, follow zoning rules, and are regulated. Airbnb hosts? Often not.
No standard inspections
Few consumer protections
Little accountability
This creates an uneven playing field, especially for small, local B&Bs that can’t compete with “ghost hotels” that operate year-round.
5. Legal Loopholes and Poor Enforcement
Many cities have tried to regulate short-term rentals, but enforcement is tough. Listings often:
Disguise illegal rentals as “private rooms”
Operate without required licenses
Get reposted under new profiles when removed
New York, Berlin, and Tokyo have introduced laws to limit or ban certain Airbnb listings—but many still slip through the cracks.
Are Travelers to Blame?
Not entirely. Most guests are unaware of the impact of their bookings. They’re just:
Looking for a kitchen and some extra space
Trying to save money
Following travel advice that says Airbnb is “more authentic”
But good intentions aren’t enough.
If you’re choosing Airbnb for its “local feel” but that choice is pushing out the locals, it’s time to rethink the model.
What You Can Do Instead
1. Stay in Locally Owned Hotels or Guesthouses
These options:
Are licensed and taxed
Create local jobs
Are often just as charming and unique
Look for family-run inns, heritage hotels, or locally managed boutique stays—they’re part of the community, not apart from it.
2. Use Ethical Alternatives
Try platforms that prioritize communities:
Fairbnb.coop: Gives 50% of its commission to local social projects
Ecobnb: Sustainable lodgings across Europe
Agoda Homes and Booking.com offer vetted short stays, often with better regulation
3. Ask Questions Before You Book
If you do use Airbnb or a short-stay platform, ask:
Is this someone’s primary residence?
Do they live nearby or manage many listings?
Does the host have proper licenses or comply with local laws?
Transparent hosts with community values will happily share this info.
4. Avoid Over-Touristed Zones
Skip the city-center apartment in a housing crisis. Instead:
Stay in lesser-known neighborhoods
Explore nearby towns or secondary cities
Choose places that actively welcome tourism
5. Support Local Economies While There
Even if your stay is responsible, your other actions matter:
Eat at local restaurants, not chains
Book experiences with resident guides, not app-based vendors
Shop at markets, not global fast fashion stores
What Cities Are Doing to Fight Back
New York City: As of 2023, strict enforcement bans full-unit short-term rentals under 30 days unless the host is present.
Barcelona: Requires licenses and removes illegal listings.
Amsterdam: Caps rentals at 30 nights per year.
Florence: Outright ban on new short-term rentals in the city center.
Tokyo: Allows short-term rentals only 180 days a year with approval.
The message is clear: respect the rules—or stay elsewhere.
Is It Ever Okay to Book an Airbnb?
Yes, in the right context.
Renting a private room in a lived-in home? Generally fine.
Staying in rural areas where tourism supports local livelihoods? Often encouraged.
Supporting single-property hosts who rely on the income? Still aligned with Airbnb’s original intent.
The issue isn’t the idea—it’s the scale, commercialization, and impact on housing markets.
Final Thoughts: Travel Shouldn’t Take More Than It Gives
Airbnb isn’t inherently evil. But when it becomes a profit machine that pushes out communities, it loses the soul that made it appealing in the first place.
As travelers, we vote with our wallets.
Ask yourself:
Does your lodging choice reflect your values?
Are you helping the place you visit—or hollowing it out?
Is the money you spend staying in the community?
Travel is about connection. And that connection gets lost when the people who built the place you came to see can no longer afford to live there.
Your Responsible Stay Checklist:
Choose local or ethical accommodations
Avoid illegal or unlicensed listings
Stay outside high-impact zones
Ask hosts about their community practices
Spend money with local businesses
Learn about housing issues before you go
The Airbnb backlash is more than a housing issue it’s a wake-up call about the future of global tourism. Travelers must realize that every booking shapes the destinations they love. Supporting local communities means choosing accommodations that give back, not take away. Conscious travel isn’t about guilt it’s about awareness and intention.
In the long run, sustainability and travel will have to align. Cities are learning to protect residents while still welcoming visitors, and travelers are learning to adapt. Opting for locally owned hotels, small guesthouses, or ethical rental platforms is one way to ensure tourism strengthens communities rather than displacing them.
Ultimately, travel is about connection, not consumption. When we choose accommodations that respect the places we visit, we move closer to what travel was meant to be a cultural exchange that enriches both guests and hosts. The future of tourism depends on travelers willing to see the bigger picture.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues sharing his travel experiences with his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.