How does the sharing economy affect tourism management?

The sharing economy significantly impacts tourism management by altering accommodation options, transportation, and local experiences.

The sharing economy, characterised by peer-to-peer sharing of goods and services, has revolutionised the tourism industry. It has introduced new accommodation options, such as Airbnb, which has disrupted traditional hotel-based accommodation. This has forced tourism management to adapt and consider these new forms of accommodation in their planning and strategies. For instance, cities like Barcelona and Amsterdam have had to implement new regulations to control the rapid growth of Airbnb and its impact on local housing markets.

In terms of transportation, ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft have changed the way tourists move around destinations. This has implications for tourism management as it changes the demand for traditional forms of tourist transportation like taxis and public buses. It also raises issues around regulation and safety that tourism managers need to address. For example, many cities have struggled with how to regulate these services and ensure they meet safety standards.

The sharing economy also affects the types of experiences tourists have. Platforms like 'Withlocals' or 'Eatwith' allow tourists to have more authentic, local experiences by connecting them with local hosts. This changes the role of tourism management from simply promoting traditional tourist attractions to facilitating these more personalised experiences. It also raises questions about quality control and the protection of tourists.

Moreover, the sharing economy has implications for the economic sustainability of tourism. On one hand, it can provide additional income for locals and spread the economic benefits of tourism more widely. On the other hand, it can lead to over-tourism and the commodification of local cultures.

Finally, the sharing economy can also impact the environmental sustainability of tourism. For example, car-sharing services could potentially reduce the number of cars on the road and thus reduce carbon emissions. However, the increased availability of accommodation through platforms like Airbnb could also lead to more tourists and increased pressure on local environments.

In conclusion, the sharing economy has significant implications for tourism management. It changes the types of accommodation, transportation, and experiences available to tourists and raises new challenges around regulation, safety, and sustainability.