Airbnb – Is it still ok for a responsible traveler?!
Overtourism has long become a buzzword. Cities, Islands, and entire countries creaking under the weight of too many visitors. The life of locals changes drastically as prices rise, and an increasing amount of living space is allocated to accommodating tourists. Especially Airbnb has been the cause of uproar and anger for many locals suffering from over-tourism.
As we try to become more responsible travelers and leave a positive impact, we have long been wondering if it is still ok to use Airbnb. Admittedly, we loved staying at Airbnbs for the comfort and the low price. On top of that, we often had the chance to get to know the locals. Today there are more than 4 million listings on Airbnb worldwide. What started as an example of the sharing economy quickly became commercialized with new rooms springing up everywhere. With the commercialization and tremendous growth, the character and use changed drastically. The evolution of Airbnb has even entirely changed neighborhoods and impacts the daily lives of many.
The downside
However, during recent years, we often stumble upon empty apartments whose sole purpose seemed to be to accommodate tourists. The owners were often foreigners who have bought the property as an investment. Staying in an Airbnb like this would almost certainly make sure that our tourist dollars leave the country quickly, which is exactly what we are trying to avoid.
Adding to that, in most countries, Airbnbs aren’t subject to regulation. Hence, there are no taxes and no planning restriction. However, in today’s world, especially developing countries, need to both. An income from taxes and control over the development of tourism.
The bright side of Airbnb:
Not everything is black or white. While we understand the issues arising from Airbnb, there are definitely some advantages and upsides.
For one, Airbnb has acknowledged the arising problems and has made a commitment to improving the situation, especially in areas suffering from over-tourism.
According to Airbnb’s own study (studies can be read a million different ways), 31%-96% of Airbnb experiences take place outside of the main tourist areas. Of course, there are enormous implications where Airbnb gets too commercialized, but in many places, it offers an easy tap into tourism for locals.
By booking an AirBnB owned by local you provide for a revenue stream because profits made of AirBnBs go directly to the host.
On top of that, contrary to tourists visiting hotels, Airbnb guests are more likely to spend money with local stores. Therefore minimizing the tourism leakages and directly impacting the local economy.
The perfect Airbnb to us is an exciting place to stay and contact to locals. Local hosts can provide with insight knowledge of hidden gems and stories. According to Airbnb, 61 percent of recommendations are by a single host. This makes up for an incredible number of 1 Million unique experiences provided by local Airbnb hosts.
Can we still use Airbnb as a responsible traveler?
We’d say: yes! Airbnb can be a great experience, not just for you but also for the host. As with many things, it’s vital to make conscious decisions.
Make sure to check out our guide on how to choose an Airbnb responsibly.