Overview

• Airbnb executives say hotels are the main drivers of overtourism but Tui and the lobby group Hotrec contend that short-term rentals are chiefly responsible.
• The Spanish government ordered Airbnb to remove nearly 66,000 listings; Lisbon halted new short-term rental licenses; and Athens enacted a one-year ban on fresh registrations.
• Eurostat data show short-term rentals grew 8% in 2024, outpacing a sub-4% rise in hotel stays and adding 57 million overnight visits.
• Residents have protested in hotspots such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Venice, Amsterdam and Santorini over rising housing costs and overcrowding at tourist sites.
• Airbnb’s income fell 44% in 2024 to $2.65 billion, reflecting the impact of stricter regulations and growing public discontent.