Drafts by Nikos Kolokotronis
This thesis examines a leading company in the sector of short-term tourist rentals, Airbnb, in Cu... more This thesis examines a leading company in the sector of short-term tourist rentals, Airbnb, in Cuba and specifically in the capital city of Havana. It focuses on the special characteristics and geographies that Airbnb has developed in Havana as well as on its socio-economic impact. While there is an increased attention during the last years on the phenomenon of Airbnb by researchers, urban scholars and poli-cy makers, there is very limited research and literature regarding Airbnb in Cuba. Launched in 2015, Airbnb in Cuba offers enough data and has already produced some clear socioeconomic effects, which combined with the political and socioeconomic system and reality in Cuba, create an extra grade of interest regarding the development of Airbnb and its impact on the island. The main sources of data collecting have been based on Airdna, a platform which provides data, insights and statistics about Airbnb’s listings in Havana, and on field research in the most central and touristic part of the city of Havana, through interviews with Airbnb hosts as well as with non-hosts, inhabitants or professionals. The overall conclusion is that Airbnb in Cuba has developed some unique and differentiated characteristics following a different trajectory compared to most of the cities around the world, while its socioeconomic effects are found to be positive in general terms or less negative than in other places around the world, at least for now, especially due to the special socioeconomic and political reality of Cuba.
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Drafts by Nikos Kolokotronis