Barcelona is experiencing an Airbnb backlash. And it serves as a reminder that every industry faces increased regulation.
Consider the trajectory of short-term leasing from Airbnb’s launch in 2008 to now. The pattern is familiar and applies to any industry:
• A new service emerges in a regulatory grey zone.
• Regulators scramble to respond.
• Initial heavy-handed regulations often miss the mark, misunderstanding public demand.
• Regulators face backlash, allow the industry to grow, then gradually tighten regulations.
• Over time, the regulatory landscape becomes more complex, restrictive, and expensive.
