Travel Intermediate
1. Is it expensive to travel? What costs the most when you are traveling?
2. Have you ever stayed in Airbnb or hosted? What was it like? Did you like it? Why or why not?
3. Do you prefer to stay in hotels, hostels, or an Airbnb? Why?
4. Why do you think Airbnb is so popular?
The Impact of Airbnb
It’s not always easy to find the right accommodations when you’re traveling. With hotel prices at an all-time high and tourism growing faster than ever before, there can be very few choices in finding a nice place to stay. That’s why a lot of travelers have abandoned the more traditional ways of looking for their travel accommodations and have started using Airbnb. But Airbnb isn’t just changing the way travellers choose their accommodations, it’s also having a huge impact on tourism, housing, and government policy in cities and towns all over the world.
What is Airbnb?
Airbnb is an online platform where people can rent out their properties to those who are looking for short-term accommodations. It offers a variety of options, from renting out small rooms and cozy apartments to vacation homes and luxurious houses. Visitors can choose the best accommodations that fit either within their budgets or within their needs. It is also very helpful for those who are hosting and looking to make some extra money by renting out any spare space that they might have. With over 5.6 million active listings worldwide and in over 100,000 cities, the company has become a first choice for many travelers who are seeking alternative choices for their accommodations.
Airbnb and Its Impact On Cities and Towns
Even though many travelers and hosts have enjoyed the opportunities and costs of the app, not everyone is happy with the rise of Airbnb rentals. It has raised several concerns about the impact it’s having on towns and cities. One sector that has seen the largest impact is housing. In some places, the spread of short-term rentals through Airbnb has reduced the available housing for its residents and has raised rental prices for the locals. It can be far more profitable for landlords to use their properties for Airbnb rentals rather than giving long-term leases. This has led some landlords to buy new properties or convert their other properties into Airbnb rentals, causing a lack of housing for the residents. Another industry that is upset about the spread of Airbnb rentals is the hospitality industry. Some hotels feel they now have to compete with Airbnb for lower prices, while also having more regulations on their business and properties. Airbnb rentals are fairly unregulated and do not have to go through the same standard of regulations on things like safety, cleanliness, and customer service. The platform has also proven to contribute to the problem of over-tourism in popular destinations. Towns and cities can become overwhelmed by the higher amount of tourists that are disrupting local communities and being a weight on the infrastructure.
Reactions By the Public and Governments
With Airbnb dramatically changing the availability of housing and creating problems of over-tourism, it has sparked plenty of discussions between the public and the government on how cities can adapt to these changing travel and housing trends. Protests have broken out, calling for governments to regulate and restrict Airbnb so that there may be less tourism and more available housing. A few governments have responded by either banning Airbnb or heavily regulating rental properties so that they can only be rented for months at a time. Despite the banning of Airbnbs in certain towns and cities, some governments are trying to find a balance of allowing Airbnb rentals and the needs of its residents.
1. How popular is Airbnb?
2. What impact does Airbnb have on housing?
3. What policies have some governments taken on airbnb?
4. Why are hotels upset about Airbnb?
1. It has 5.6 million active listings in over 100,00 cities.
2. It has reduced the availability of housing and raised rental prices.
3. They have either banned or regulated airbnb rentals so that they can only be rented out for months at a time.
4. Airbnbs are not regulated to the same standard as hotels.
1. Is it difficult to find housing in your town or city?
2. Is there a problem of over-tourism in your city or town? What are the problems of over-tourism?
3. Is Airbnb to blame for over-tourism or a lack of housing?
4. Do you think Airbnb should be allowed in cities and towns? Explain your answer.
Abandoned: Left empty or deserted, often referring to a place or object.
Cozy: Warm, comfortable, and inviting, creating a sense of snugness and contentment.
Sector: A distinct area or category, especially within a larger field or industry.
Hospitality: The friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.
Regulations: Official rules or laws set by an authority to govern and control certain activities or behaviours.
Overwhelmed: Feeling very burdened, often due to a large amount of something.
Restrict: To limit or control, placing constraints on actions, movements, or access.
Ban: An official prohibition or restriction, preventing the use, distribution, or participation in a particular activity.
The Impact of Airbnb
Step 1: Introduce the topic of travel. Ask your students what kind of travel they like to do and where do they like to stay in; hotel, hostel, Airbnb, tent, camper van, etc.
Step 2: Have the students discuss the warm-questions and ask for some answers after they are done to create conversations.
Step 3: Introduce the article. Have your students read aloud and go through some of the vocabulary.
Step 4: Have the students complete the vocabulary worksheet before the reading or after the reading. This will depend on teacher preferences.
Step 5: Let the students discuss the discussion questions and elicit answers from them after they are done. You should get them to use the vocabulary in their discussions.