As cities like Barcelona and Venice prepare for fresh waves of protests this weekend, Chesky argues that Airbnb is being unfairly blamed for deeper, long-standing problems.
In a recent interview with a German newspaper, Chesky acknowledged the backlash but said the real causes of overtourism and rising housing costs lie in poor urban planning and a failure to build enough new homes. He pointed out that in cities like Barcelona, where housing prices have surged over the last decade, the number of Airbnb listings has actually gone down. He also noted that the majority of visitors there come from cruise ships or stay in hotels—not Airbnbs.
Chesky believes Airbnb has become a convenient scapegoat for broader housing and policy failures. He emphasized that the company wants to work with cities and supports well-designed regulations that protect housing without cutting off residents from the opportunity to earn extra income by renting their homes occasionally.
His comments come shortly after Airbnb released a report claiming that traditional hotels account for nearly 80% of guest stays across the EU. This sparked backlash from major travel operators like Tui, which argued that short-term rentals and second homes are more to blame for housing shortages and rising living costs in tourist-heavy areas.
Meanwhile, frustration continues to build in many parts of Europe. Cities like Barcelona have seen regular protests, with residents speaking out against overcrowding and the erosion of local life. Last summer, demonstrators carried signs rejecting mass tourism and even used water guns to target tourists in protest. The city has since announced plans to ban all short-term rentals.
As similar demonstrations spread to other hotspots in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, local activists say the heart of the issue is economic inequality. They argue that prioritizing tourism often means pushing residents aside so others can profit—leaving many to struggle with higher rents and fewer housing options.
