United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
Hoteliers lose legal battle with Airbnb
Airbnb scored a major victory against hoteliers today when the European Court of Justice ruled that the short-term home rental platform cannot be treated as a real estate agency by EU regulators.
The court said Airbnb was merely an online platform.
The French hotel lobby, the Association for Professional Accommodation and Tourism (AhTop) had argued that Airbnb should face the same regulations and obligations as traditional real estate companies.
But the ECJ rejected AhTop’s claims on the basis that Airbnb’s principle feature is not real estate but rather it is a platform though which Airbnb connects home owners and individuals seeking accommodation.
“We welcome this judgment and want to move forward and continue working with cities on clear rules that put local families and communities at the heart of sustainable 21st century travel,” an Airbnb spokesperson said in a statement after the ruling.
“We want to be good partners to everyone and already we have worked with more than 500 governments and authorities to help hosts share their homes, follow the rules and pay tax.”
Airbnb co-founder Nathan Blecharczyk immediately sent a letter to major cities across Europe, including to London Mayor Sadiq Khan, saying: “Cities can, should and do have their own clear and modern rules for home sharing, and we have worked with governments across the globe on measures to help hosts share their homes, follow the rules and pay their fair share of tax.”
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
Craig Ray and the Expansion of the Blues Trail
Presenting Mississippi’s Cultural Trails with Katie Coats
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Turkish Airlines flight in emergency landing after pilot dies
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Foreign Office issues travel advisory for winter sun destinations