Post by High Priestess on Aug 29, 2018 15:26:10 GMT
This New York Times article looks at "overtourism" in Europe, and how companies like AIrbnb and Uber are alleged to be part of the problem.
www.nytimes.com/2018/08/29/technology/technology-overtourism-europe.html
I admit I love photography. It's a big part of many of my trips. But I don't see the point of creating a "personal brand" with photos that are going to be very similar to thousands of other people's photos of iconic destinations. THis wouldn't be very unique, would it?
Do these cities think that if the number of Airbnb listings is lowered, tourists won't come because they will have nowhere to stay? Is that how it really is? Or will they just stay in hotels instead, or look for a VRBO or HomeAway or Booking com listing, or even look for those advertising booking direct thru their own website.
The class of "professional hosts" buying up many properties does seem to be a theme in many articles complaining about Airbnb, so we'll see where this goes in the future.
In the comments section of the article, is this:
China’s prosperity is one culprit. Hordes in tour groups are everywhere. Often carrying view blocking umbrellas.
Maybe China is more to blame than Airbnb?
www.nytimes.com/2018/08/29/technology/technology-overtourism-europe.html
This growth in tourism might once have been considered unambiguously good news. But the world’s most popular destinations cannot expand to accommodate an infinite flood of visitors. Advocates of curbing tourism say too many visitors are altering the character of historic cities, and making travel terrible, too......“You can’t talk about overtourism without mentioning Instagram and Facebook — I think they’re big drivers of this trend,” Mr. Francis said. “Seventy-five years ago, tourism was about experience-seeking. Now it’s about using photography and social media to build a personal brand. In a sense, for a lot of people, the photos you take on a trip become more important than the experience.” .
I admit I love photography. It's a big part of many of my trips. But I don't see the point of creating a "personal brand" with photos that are going to be very similar to thousands of other people's photos of iconic destinations. THis wouldn't be very unique, would it?
Airbnb, which has been singled out by lawmakers across Europe as a primary driver of overtourism. In Amsterdam, the authorities are pushing to slash the number of nights that residents can rent their homes to 30 from 60. And several other cities, including London and Barcelona, Spain, have also set up stringent home-sharing rules.
Do these cities think that if the number of Airbnb listings is lowered, tourists won't come because they will have nowhere to stay? Is that how it really is? Or will they just stay in hotels instead, or look for a VRBO or HomeAway or Booking com listing, or even look for those advertising booking direct thru their own website.
One recent problem is the rise of a more professional class of home-sharers — people who buy up properties to rent out full time as short term rentals on home-sharing sites, often in violation of local rules.
Airbnb said it tries to crack down on rule-breaking hosts, but even some of its nominal allies wonder how diligently.
“The issue for Airbnb, and I’ve said this to them, is that there are listings that are not home-sharing — the people who buy up multiple flats and list them all, which really changes the character of a city,” said Jonathan Tourtellot, the founder of the Sustainable Stewardship Center, a nonprofit group that promotes sustainable tourism.
Airbnb said it tries to crack down on rule-breaking hosts, but even some of its nominal allies wonder how diligently.
“The issue for Airbnb, and I’ve said this to them, is that there are listings that are not home-sharing — the people who buy up multiple flats and list them all, which really changes the character of a city,” said Jonathan Tourtellot, the founder of the Sustainable Stewardship Center, a nonprofit group that promotes sustainable tourism.
The class of "professional hosts" buying up many properties does seem to be a theme in many articles complaining about Airbnb, so we'll see where this goes in the future.
In the comments section of the article, is this:
China’s prosperity is one culprit. Hordes in tour groups are everywhere. Often carrying view blocking umbrellas.
Maybe China is more to blame than Airbnb?