Platform-Mediated Tourism: Social Justice and Urban Governance before and during Covid-19

This book explores the impacts of short-term renting on neighborhoods, residents, and tourism operators through case studies, highlighting the need for regulatory frameworks to address social justice issues. It was originally published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 10 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the multifaceted realm of platform-mediated tourism, offering both theoretical and empirical insights, with a particular emphasis on Airbnb. Through a series of captivating case studies, the book highlights the uneven impacts of short-term rentals on neighborhoods, residents, and tourism operators, emphasizing their growing significance.

The emergence of digital platforms for short-term rental, transportation, social dining, and other services has ushered in a new era of entrepreneurship in the tourism and mobility sectors. Initially perceived as a form of a sharing economy driven by non-professional providers, these platforms have evolved into a complex landscape of capitalist speculation. However, the inadequacy of existing legal frameworks to regulate platform-mediated activities has sparked reactions from social movements, particularly in safeguarding housing rights.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored the urgent need for regulatory frameworks to address the structural challenges posed by platform-mediated activities. In Europe, cities are taking assertive measures to regain control over data essential for regulating platform-mediated tourism services, while also prioritizing the rights and well-being of residents in tourism cities.

The authors of this edited volume engage in a thoughtful exploration of social justice issues, encompassing the quality of life of residents, working conditions, the housing market, urban structure, the ethical dilemmas faced by operators navigating normative loopholes, and the responsibilities of platform companies holding vast datasets on short-term rentals. The chapters in this book were originally published in the Journal of Sustainable Tourism, contributing to the ongoing discourse on the evolving landscape of platform-mediated tourism.

Weight: 620g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032137308