Bruges (The Brussels morning Newspaper): Bruges is stopping new Airbnb rentals to deal with too many tourists. This will help locals find homes and keep the city nice.
Bruges, a famous city in Belgium, is taking action against over-tourism by stopping new Airbnb rentals. The city is known for its old buildings, beautiful canals, and being a UNESCO World Heritage site, which brings in millions of tourists every year. However, this increase in visitors has caused problems like traffic jams and noise in neighborhoods. The rise of short-term rentals like Airbnb has also made it harder for locals to find affordable homes and has affected the community feel in many areas.
What measures is Bruges taking to combat overtourism?
In 2023, Bruges, a city with around 120,000 residents, faced the challenge of managing about 27,500 tourists every day, which is more than 20% of the local population. This high number of visitors put a lot of pressure on the city’s services, public spaces, and the quality of life for locals. A significant factor worsening the situation has been the rapid growth of short-term rentals, especially through platforms like Airbnb.
In response to tourism issues, Bruges’ local government is taking strong actions to control the tourism industry, especially by limiting new Airbnb rentals. This aims to reduce homes that are mainly for tourists, which has been causing higher housing prices and making it harder for locals to find long-term rentals. The rules on new Airbnb rentals are part of a larger plan to manage tourism better. This includes tougher licensing, requiring short-term rentals to register, and making sure the rules are followed more closely. By limiting short-term rentals, Bruges wants to ease pressure on neighborhoods, keep the city’s old charm, and create a better balance between tourists and local residents. It has been said that this change shows that Bruges wants to take care of its residents while still welcoming tourists. They aim to make sure that tourism is good for the city and helps everyone.
