A new report commissioned by Airbnb and carried out by Ernst & Young suggests that Airbnb listings have boosted York’s economy to the tune of £44 million in 2023 alone, supporting over 685 jobs. This cash injection comes from tourists splashing out in local shops, restaurants, and on transport. That equates to a welcome £42 boost for every household in York each month.

The report, which looked at Airbnb’s impact from 2015 to 2023, argues that holiday lets bring empty properties back into use and provide a handy income stream for homeowners. Airbnb’s own data reveals that most York hosts are simply renting out a spare room for a few nights a month. In fact, only 0.55% of York’s housing stock is listed on Airbnb for more than 90 days a year. Two-fifths of York-based Airbnb hosts say the platform helps them afford their own homes.

However, Councillor Michael Pavlovic, who leads on housing for City of York Council, remains sceptical. While welcoming Airbnb’s call for greater regulation, he points out that the number of holiday lets has skyrocketed in recent years.

“This has come at a cost,” he warns. “Inflated house prices, falling school rolls, and fewer permanent residents are just some of the issues. Plus, with more properties registered as businesses to benefit from lower tax rates, the Council has less money to fund vital local services.”

Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, echoes these concerns. While acknowledging the benefits tourism brings, she argues that the Airbnb study overlooks the disruption holiday lets can cause to communities.

Ms Maskell highlights the plight of local hoteliers and hospitality businesses struggling to recruit staff due to the lack of affordable housing. “We need new laws to ensure that as many homes as possible are available and affordable for local people,” she insists.

Despite the criticism, Airbnb is urging the Government to press ahead with plans – drafted by the previous government – to regulate the industry. These regulations would subject holiday lets to the planning process and create a national register, giving councils more oversight. The Government has confirmed it will introduce these regulations as soon as possible.

Airbnb remains defiant. “We welcome regulations and have always called for national legislation to strengthen communities,” says Ms Cupples, Airbnb’s General Manager for Northern Europe. “We want to help local authorities like York track the positive impact of home sharing and support its sustainable growth.”