People in many cities around the world blame Airbnb for driving up rents and contributing to housing shortages as tourists take homes once used by locals. Mayor Rui Moreira of Porto, Portugal’s second-largest city, sees how the growing short-term let market can drive urban regeneration.
In areas that are already strained, the city forbids creating new short-term rentals – unless it is an abandoned house. But there are areas where short-term rentals can grow, Mr Moreira says, and tourism can help regenerate cities.
