There has been a hate campaign in a village in Snowdonia, aimed at the increasing number of Airbnb lets in the area.

A village named Llanberis in Snowdonia has seen a significant rise in anti-Airbnb sentiments as the number of holiday lets nearly doubled. Some locals are showing their frustration by placing stickers with messages such as “Death to Airbnb” and “Airbnb Kills Communities” around the village.

Background

• Eric Baylis, a lifelong resident in his 70s, discovered these stickers.
• Although Baylis believes the number of Airbnbs is excessive, he condemns the use of violent language.
• He notes that Llanberis already has plenty of hotels and B&Bs to serve its visitors.
• He warns that Llanberis might soon face similar issues to Abersoch, another village, where the proliferation of second homes and Airbnbs has prompted the council to consider changes to planning rules.

Data Insights:

• Post-Covid, there’s been a noticeable spike in Airbnb listings in Llanberis.
• From 2018-2021, the number of tourists (mainly walkers and climbers) increased from 500,000 to 700,000.
• As of July this year, there were 100 Airbnb listings in Llanberis, 85 of which were entire homes. Given the village’s population of 1,835, it’s feeling the pressure of the increased number of visitors.
• House prices are going up, and locals believe holiday lets are a major factor.

Comments from Eric Baylis:

• He feels that Airbnb’s original concept (renting out spare rooms) has shifted, with entire homes now being purchased for renting. “Unfortunately, Airbnbs have moved away their initial idea, which was to rent spare rooms. Now whole houses are being bought to rent, pushing up prices and depriving local young people of the chance to stay in the community where they grew up.”

Perspective from AirDNA Analysts:

• Not all listings are new. Some have been long-standing B&Bs or properties previously listed on other platforms.
• Many of these properties were likely already second homes. Now, they are just rented out when the owners aren’t present.
• Listings might have increased by 4% since last year, but demand in July rose by 23%.
• The economic contribution of these holiday lets is significant: over £2.5m last year and more than £1.5m this year on accommodation alone. When considering the spending on local businesses like restaurants and shops, the economic impact is even more pronounced.

Conclusion

The rise in Airbnb listings in Llanberis has brought economic benefits, but it’s also causing strain on local property prices and community dynamics. Potential Airbnb landlords should be aware of local feelings towards short-term lets in their area.