Blecharczyk responded to criticism linking the rise of platforms like Airbnb with the rising cost of housing and the phenomenon of overtourism. According to the executive, both problems respond to structural factors much broader than the activity of digital platforms.
“The causes of the housing crisis and of 'overtourism' are much broader than platforms like Airbnb,” he/she/it pointed out in the interview.
Airbnb sets Barcelona as an example
During the conversation with Politico, Airbnb's head of strategy cited the case of Barcelona to question the effectiveness of municipal restrictions on tourist rentals. As he explained, cities like Barcelona or Amsterdam adopted drastic measures to limit this type of rentals, significantly reducing the number of listings on the platforms. However, he argued, residential rental prices continued to increase even after the supply of tourist housing decreased.
For the company, this type of policies does not address the structural causes of the problem of access to housing.
The regulatory battle moves to Brussels
The statements by the co-founder of Airbnb come at a time when the European Union is beginning to debate with greater intensity the impact of tourist rentals on the housing market. European ministers are scheduled to address the housing crisis at an informal meeting in Brussels, while the European Commission prepares a strategy to improve the affordability of access to housing.
The European official for this portfolio, Dan Jørgensen, is working on possible measures that could affect short-term rental platforms.
Airbnb strengthens its presence in Brussels
In parallel to the regulatory debate, Airbnb has intensified its institutional activity in Brussels. Blecharczyk is in the community capital this week to meet with various European officials and actors in the tourism sector.
The company has also published a report in which it defends its economic impact in Europe. According to these data, Airbnb's activity would have contributed 53.2 billion euros to the GDP of the European Union in 2025 and would have generated more than 904,000 jobs.
The statements reflect the growing pulse between the large digital platforms and the European and local authorities over the future of tourist rentals on the continent.