The Airbnb system in Italy fuels a business worth nearly 20 billion

In Italy, Airbnb fuels an economic system worth €19.7 billion, according to Nomisma estimates. For every euro spent on the American platform, €3 billion is generated in the Italian economy, supporting local businesses such as those that assist hosts with cleaning and apartment maintenance, as well as in the hospitality and transportation sectors, and contributing to the equivalent of 139,000 full-time jobs. The superhost base—those "hosts" who, according to the platform's definition, are able to offer "an exceptional guest experience"—has grown by 15% to 68,000 superhosts, while there are over 150,000 "guest-loved listings." The platform's efforts to improve the quality of its offerings have also led to a 47% reduction in host cancellations year-over-year. Finally, according to Nomisma, since the final introduction of the National Identification Code (CIN) in January 2025, active short-term rental listings have decreased by 15%, demonstrating improved compliance in the sector. This comes as Italy prepares to host two major international events: the Jubilee, already underway in Rome, and the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Airbnb is partnering with both events to help accommodate visitor flows, encouraging broader distribution across the country and ensuring a positive impact on local communities. According to the research, Airbnb has also played a key role in reactivating Italy's unused real estate, directly contributing to the renovation and enhancement of properties that would otherwise have remained vacant or underutilized. Only 1.1% of Italy's housing stock is designated for short-term rentals—0.12% if considering only homes entirely dedicated to short-term rentals and not used by the owner—compared to 13% of properties that are vacant or underutilized.

"Airbnb supports balanced national regulation of short-term rentals that protects historic centers, gives cities tools to manage tourist flows, and clearly distinguishes between occasional and professional hosts," says Matteo Sarzana, Country Manager for Italy and Southeastern Europe. " Airbnb collects and remits the tourist tax where possible, ensures that all listings are registered or exempt, and transmits data to tax authorities to ensure transparency. The company is ready to collaborate with institutions to create a pragmatic and effective regulatory framework—one that allows cities to thrive while protecting opportunities for ordinary Italians, half of whom are women who use Airbnb to supplement their income or retirement."

Regarding overtourism, the platform notes that it's a phenomenon primarily linked to low-cost flights and cruise tourism. "The data speaks for itself: Ryanair surpassed 200 million passengers in 2024, and cruise passengers in iconic cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam increased by over 50% in just one year," Sarzana continues. "In Rome alone, 75% of the nearly 50 million overnight stays in 2023 were in hotels or similar establishments. Airbnb, meanwhile, is helping to distribute tourism to rural or underserved areas: half of overnight stays in Italy today occur outside major cities, and 75% of guests are families. Previous studies by the Polytechnic University of Turin show that, in small communities, Airbnb listings help local microbusinesses grow their income by up to 23% in four years, and 38% of tourist spending in rural areas stays local—helping to combat depopulation and promote sustainable tourism."

According to the latest financial data, in the first quarter of 2025, the platform recorded total revenue of $2.3 billion (+6%), with a net margin of 7% equal to $154 million, a gross booking value of $24.5 billion, and 143.1 million (+8%) of room nights and experiences were booked in the quarter. Forecasts for the second quarter call for revenue of around $3 billion, with growth between 9 and 11%.