Understanding the Implementation of Airbnb inUrban Contexts: Towards a Categorization ofEuropean Cities

The sharing economy has experienced exponential growth in recent years, especially inthe short-term rentals (STRs) tourist accommodation sector. This growth has caused disruptivee?ects in rural and urban contexts, especially in highly touristic cities. These e?ects can be bothpositive and negative, revitalizing certain areas and bringing about tension in the socioeconomicfabric. Today, Airbnb is considered the paradigm of this sharing economy model and the STRindustry leader. However, as this study suggests, on many occasions the implementation of Airbnbexhibits more of a traditional economic business model than a collaborative economic businessmodel. Through hierarchical cluster analysis, this study identifies di?erent groups of European citiesaccording to the degree of professionalization of Airbnb implementation in their territory. The goal isto find similar patterns in the Airbnbisation process in major European cities, as the social, economic,and spatial impacts of various typologies are very di?erent and even contrary. By understandingand identifying such di?erent models implemented in each territory, better policies can be informed,and more adapted strategies can be pursued by local governments and the tourism industry.