Airbnb

Nov. 2 (UPI) — Nine people were wounded Sunday in a shooting that erupted at a party being held at a large Airbnb in northern Ohio, authorities said.

Vito Sinopoli, chief of police for Bath Township, located about 26 miles due south of Cleveland, told reporters during a press conference that officers were working to identify the victims.

He said they were a “mix” of adults and youth. At least one suffered a leg injury in a fall, he said, stating they were unsure of how many suffered gunshot wounds.

Their conditions were unknown.

“This kind of violence is unacceptable in our community, and we’re committed to applying all available resources to this investigation,” he said.

Police were notified of the shooting at a residence in the 900 block of Top O Hill Drive at about midnight Saturday.

Officers arrived to find what Sinopoli described as a “chaotic scene” and began administering life-saving aid to the victims, who were then transported to area hospitals.

The shooting disrupted a “large party” at the residence that Sinopoli said had been advertised on social media as a birthday party that was to begin at 9:30 p.m.

Attendees fled when the shots were fired, he said, adding that preliminary information indicates that the majority of the shots were fired on the ground floor.

No arrests have been made. The number of shooters, if more than one, was unknown.

“We don’t have a clear indication yet of the number of individuals who may have been responsible,” he said.

Evidence was being gathered, surveillance was being reviewed and witnesses were being interviewed, he said, while calling on members of the public with information about the shooting, no matter how seemingly insignificant, to contact the authorities.

Police are in contact with Airbnb and the property owner.

There is a zoning prohibition on short-term rentals, such as those offered by Airbnb, Sinopoli said.

“Typically in a situation like this, there’d be a compliance letter issued to the property owner,” he said.

In July 2017, a shooting was reported at an Airbnb in Bath township, resulting in one person sustaining a leg wound.

On Monday, Airbnb announced an “anti-party system” to be in effect for the Halloween weekend.

It said the system uses “machine learning” on bookings to identify potential party risks. Employed last year, the system “deterred” 38,000 people in the United States and 6,300 people in Canada from booking listings over Halloween.

In a statement to ABC News, Airbnb said it was “heartbroken by this senseless act of gun violence.”

“Unauthorized and disruptive gatherings are strictly prohibited on Airbnb and our Safety team acted immediately to remove the account of the individual who deliberately broke rules by booking this stay,” the company said.

According to The Gun Violence Archive, which tallies gun violence across the United States, there have been at least 358 mass shootings involving four or more victims in the country so far this year.

IF you enjoy a night out in the pub then you’ll surely enjoy a night in at the pub too.

A cottage-style Airbnb is offering visitors the chance to pull their own pints with a fully-functioning private pub on the premises.

Avoid queues for the loos and overpriced pints with this popular getaway spot in the Irish countryside.

Nellie’s Farmhouse is located just outside of coastal town of Carlingford in County Louth, Ireland.

Conveniently just an hour’s drive from both Belfast and Dublin, visitors can easily access this remote location for a secluded session.

Private pub rental

Nestled at the foot of the stunning Slieve Foy mountain, the property boasts stunning views of the surrounding countryside.

CHEERS

Visit a European gem with festive train & market for less than a UK staycation

PLANE TO SEE

I built ultimate Airbnb using Escobar’s plane – my spiteful neighbours hate it

The traditional farmhouse dates back to the 1800 century, and has been in the hospitality sector since the late 1980s.

This five-star accomodation sleeps up to eight guests across four bedrooms.

It features five beds, three bathrooms, and of course a private on-site pub complete with draught taps and a jukebox.

With prices varying depending on dates, the entire cottage is available to rent for a two-night minimum.

It averages around £960 for two nights, breaking down to just £60 per person each night.

Visitors can contact the host in advance of their stay to order half kegs to pull their own pints during their stay.

Local amenities

And guests can also enjoy a night out in Carlingford Medieval village, which is just a 10 minute drive away.

Local activities include hill walking, with one of the Train trails just a minutes walk from the cottage, golf, fishing, sailing, and horse riding.

A Sky Park Adventure Center and Green Way are also located nearby.

And for the ultimate relaxing night-in, the cottage has a five-person hot tub and wood-burning stove.

Suitable for groups of adults, the property is advertised as not suitable for children under the age of 10 years.

The award-winning cottage has received rave reviews from visitors, with one commenting on the “perfect Guinness” they enjoyed at the private pub set-up.

Another guest described the property as “beautifully renovated [and] packed with quirky interesting antiques”.

Meanwhile, others said it was “one of the best places” they’ve ever stayed in.

One visitors encouraged people to visiting, saying “the photos don’t do it justice”.

“This wee cottage oozes of comfort, all mod cons but keeping the cottage feel,” wrote another guest.

“If you want to experience the ole country cottage feel, surrounded by mountains and silence and still be spoilt this is the place to be.”

One person called the cottage “a real hidden gem”, while another visitors said it was “the best little holiday spot”.

More staycation spots

And a secluded English cottage where your garden is the beach and people say it “doesn’t even look real”.

A UK Christmas market that attracts nearly two million visitors is getting three new attractions.

Plus, the coastal town nicknamed “Vienna by the Sea” that was once popular with royalty.

The spookiest UK holiday park comes complete with “human cauldrons”.

RAGING INFERNO

Moment huge blaze rips through historic club on town high street

CHILD’S PLAY!

Free cinema trips, family games & films that cost NOTHING this half-term

And the top five places in the UK where you get the most hours of sunlight after the clocks change.

Airbnb Inc. Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky said he didn’t integrate his company’s online travel app with OpenAI’s ChatGPT because the startup’s connective tools aren’t “quite ready” yet.

Airbnb will monitor the development of ChatGPT’s app integrations and may consider a tie-up in the future similar to those of its peers Booking Holdings Inc. and Expedia Group Inc., Chesky said in an interview.

“I didn’t think it was quite ready,” he said of ChatGPT’s integration abilities.

Because Airbnb is a community with verified members, OpenAI will have to build a platform so robust that Airbnb’s app can work within the ChatGPT chatbot in an “almost self-contained” manner, Chesky said.

Chesky, who is close friends with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, said he advised the AI company on its new capability for third-party developers to make their apps available within the ChatGPT chatbot. The AI company announced those features earlier this month. Airbnb wasn’t among the first apps that are available on the popular chatbot.

An OpenAI spokesperson declined to comment on Chesky’s remarks, but referred to the company’s blog post earlier this month that described the app integration technology as a developer preview, with more features coming soon.

While Airbnb has set aside a possible integration with ChatGPT, the company Tuesday announced that it had updated its in-app artificial intelligence tools to let customers take more actions without the need of a live representative.

The company’s AI customer service agent, which it rolled out to all US users in English in May, now displays action buttons and links that can help people complete, say, a reservation change or cancellation.

That has led to a 15% reduction in users needing a live representative, cutting average resolution time to six seconds from nearly three hours, Airbnb said. The company plans to add Spanish and French language support this fall, and 56 more languages next year.

The agent is built upon 13 different AI models, including those from OpenAI, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and open source providers, Chesky said.

“We’re relying a lot on Alibaba’s Qwen model. It’s very good. It’s also fast and cheap,” he said. “We use OpenAI’s latest models, but we typically don’t use them that much in production because there are faster and cheaper models.”

Airbnb, which expanded its business beyond accommodations into tours and individual services earlier this year, also is adding new social features to encourage user connections and eventually make better travel recommendations within the app.

The company unveiled an option for guests to share their Airbnb profile with other travelers after they book an experience. Users who have gone on the same tours can also now directly message one another — privacy safeguards are implemented where the conversation can only continue if the recipient accepts a message request, Airbnb said.

More social features are coming next year, and Chesky said that longer term these features could lend themselves to user-generated content on the app, where people can seek travel inspiration without leaving the Airbnb site.

“I think the social features, the community, that’s probably the most differentiated part of Airbnb,” he said. “People are the reason why I think Airbnb is such a sticky service.”

Lung writes for Bloomberg.

Teoscar Hernández doesn’t believe in ghosts.

But just the same, the Dodgers outfielder declined to stay with the team at the historic — and allegedly haunted — Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee during the first two games of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers this week.

Hernández told reporters before Game 2 on Tuesday that his wife, Jennifer, was the one who insisted on finding somewhere to stay other than the 137-year-old hotel that has been the source of spooky tales from MLB players for decades.

“I don’t believe in ghosts. I have stayed there before. I never see anything or hear anything,” Hernández said. “But my wife is on this trip, and she says she doesn’t want to stay in there. So we have to find another hotel.”

Hernández added, however, that his wife told him that she has heard from other players and their wives that there had been “something happening” over at the team hotel.

Asked to elaborate, Hernández said he had been told that in “some of the rooms, the lights, goes off and on, and the doors — there are noises, footsteps. … I’m not the guy that I’m gonna be here saying, ‘Oh yeah, I experienced that before,’ because I’m not, and I don’t think I’m gonna experience that.’”

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked during his pregame media availability Tuesday if he had any ghost stories to share from the team’s stay at the Pfister.

• Share via Close extra sharing options

“I don’t,” Roberts said. “Those stories went away when I was about 10 years old. So, no, not anymore. I’m OK to go to bed now.”

Over the years, not everyone has been as at ease about staying at the creepy old digs. In 2005, then-Dodgers closer Eric Gagne told The Times’ Steve Henson that the place freaked him out.

“It’s old, weird and scary,” Gagne said. “It’s very creepy. I don’t sleep well there.”

Henson also noted at the time that former Dodgers third baseman Adrián Beltré had “reported a ghostly presence turning on lights and tickling his toes” during a 2001 stay at the Pfister. Fellow Times staff writer Kevin Baxter reported in 2007 that Beltre Beltronce insisted on sleeping with a bat for protection after he had a brush with a ghost” at the hotel.

One-time Dodgers infielder Michael Young told ESPN that he once heard loud stomping noises in his room while he was trying to sleep.

“So I yelled out, ‘Hey! Make yourself at home. Hang out, have a seat, but do not wake me up, OK?’” Young said. “After that, I didn’t hear a thing for the rest of the night.”

Current Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts decided a couple of years ago he doesn’t want to take any chances at the spooky spot.

“I don’t know if they’re real or not, nor do I care,” Betts said of the hotel’s alleged ghosts after a 2023 game against the Brewers in Milwaukee. “My boys are here, so we just got an Airbnb. That’s really it.”

Betts admitted to the Orange County Register that the Airbnb rental was “just in case” the scary stories were true and “it was a good excuse” not to stay at the creepy old building.

Last, during another series in Milwaukee, Betts appeared to confirm that he will continue to find alternative lodging for road games against the Brewers.

“You don’t want to mess with them,” Betts said of the Pfister’s alleged ghosts. “I’m staying at an Airbnb again. That part is not gonna change.”

The Dodgers more than survived their two games in Milwaukee this week, riding dominant performances by starting pitchers Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to take a 2-0 National League Championship Series lead over the Brewers.

The Dodgers who checked in to the Pfister Hotel also appear to have survived another stay in downtown Milwaukee. And with the next three games (if that many are necessary) taking place at Dodger Stadium, they have the chance to make sure they avoid returning to the (allegedly) haunted haunt this postseason.

It was meant to be the start of a family getaway, but it was quickly flooded with concern after they made a horror discovery in the Airbnb where their three young children were staying – ‘It really spooked us’

Checking into an Airbnb to kick-start a holiday is usually filled with excitement, but for one family, their stay was swiftly met with dread.

Content creators Kriss and Kate Hardman booked a gorgeous four-bedroom home on Airbnb for their trip to Australia, Perth, with their three children. But they quickly discovered a camera that appeared to be switched on inside the property.

In a shocking TikTok video, Kriss wrote the caption: “When you book a ‘private’ Airbnb in Perth… and find out maybe it’s not that private…” He then went on to explain: “So we got to our Airbnb last night. It’s a nice place, but there’s one thing I’m not sure about, maybe you can help me out.”

READ MORE: Ryanair and easyJet passengers may soon be allowed to take two cabin bags for freeREAD MORE: Pretty village visited by Queen Elizabeth that’s officially the centre of the UK

Kriss walked through the property in the video before panning the camera around to show a video camera placed on a white shelf that appeared to be switched on. He then asked: “Is that allowed in Airbnb’s? Is that standard practice, because I don’t reckon it should be allowed.”

While Kriss was filming, one of his children could be heard playing in the background, and concerned viewers flocked to the comments to share their thoughts. One wrote: “No !!! Disconnect it”, as a second added: “They have to tell you by law”.

A third said: “No way. I wouldn’t be OK with that”, and a fourth noted: “Turn it off or turn it around. It’s not allowed especially if they haven’t told you.”

“Cameras shouldn’t be allowed. You’ve paid for the place. Ridiculous,” another penned.

Later that night, the couple shared an update in another TikTok video and said they “decided to leave the accommodation”. Kriss shared: “It really spooked us and the safety of the family, three little kids is what meant the most.”

His partner Kate went on to explain: “Airbnb fully supported this, they said that we could move and that they would find accommodation equivalent to where we were staying, which was a four-bedroom, placed central to Perth CB.”

The couple explained that the booking company had also promised to pay for a night’s stay in a hotel, while an alternative Airbnb was found for the family, at no additional cost. However, things took a turn when it was found that an alternative Airbnb would cost thousands more for the family.

“Once they found that out, they went quiet,” Kriss claimed. The family were left unsure of where they would be staying for the duration of their trip, as Kate said, “We are yet to find out”.

“They backtracked and Kriss has been dealing with them all day, customer service has not been the best and they’ve gone very quiet,” she added. The couple then asked for help from TikTok users as they said, “They’ve gone quiet, so we need you to be loud.”

Thankfully, by the next day, Airbnb had covered their costs, and they were able to find alternative accommodation with no extra fee. While they were relieved to have it figured out, Kriss said in a video update: “They’ve jumped on board but it’s such a shame that it took the power of social media to reach Airbnb for them to do what is the right thing.

“We’re lucky that we’ve got some followers who are really happy to help us out, but someone who maybe doesn’t have that following, I dread to think the situation they could’ve still been left in now.”

READ MORE: ‘I moved to European country 90 minutes flight away from the UK – I’ll never return’

On the Airbnb website, it states: “We do not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces in homes, even if these devices are turned off. Hidden cameras have always been prohibited and will continue to be prohibited. Hosts are allowed to have exterior security cameras, noise decibel monitors and smart devices in homes as long as they comply with the below guidelines and applicable laws.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Airbnb Australia and New Zealand told the Mirror: “Airbnb does not allow hosts to have security cameras or recording devices that monitor indoor spaces in homes, even if these devices are turned off.

“Airbnb has provided the guest with a full refund and assisted them in rebooking alternate accommodation.

“In the rare event a host or guest feels unsafe or experiences a safety-related issue during an active reservation, we have a safety team that can be reached via our 24 Hour Safety Line, which is available to all users.”

Self-proclaimed adventurer Adam headed to the south west of England where he discovered what he described as possibly the UK’s ‘coolest and quirkiest’ Airbnb experience

A self-proclaimed British adventurer claims he’s discovered one of the “coolest and quirkiest” Airbnb spots in the UK that would make a “unique” staycation getaway. Adam took to TikTok to show off the unique accommodation, which gives guests the opportunity to sleep inside a real airliner.

He began a video by providing a tour of the plane’s exterior, which boasts a hot tub, sauna and shower. “As you can tell behind me, this isn’t just any stay – it is a very large Boeing 727,” Adam continued, indicating that he had lowered the stairs into the cabin ready for him to board.

Understandably, the rooms inside are quite narrow, but Adam pointed out the plane comes with everything you could ever need. Starting with the living area, which includes two rows of seating from the 727’s days as a passenger plane either side of a dining table.

“I believe its from the 1960s,” Adam revealed. “There are so many switches on this plane,” he added as he made his way down a corridor to the master bedroom.

He highlighted the luxury double bed still has includes a “strap for safety” for “night flights”, while noting the room comes with an en-suite bathroom and shower, as well as a sofa, table and two reclining chairs.

“How cool is this?” Adam enthused, passing another bathroom on his way to the “area you will be spending most of your time”.

Here, a second living area is furnished with more sofas and reclining chairs and a TV linked to a mirror enabling guests to watch at either end of the room.

Adam continued with 727 exploration, making his way towards the front of the aircraft where he discovered a single bedroom situated across the aisle from a charming kitchen area, equipped with hob, oven, sink and “everything you might need” – including a dishwasher, fridge and freezer.

He left the “coolest part” until last, however as his journey reached its finale at the very front of the plane. Donning a pilot’s cap, Adam squeezed himself into the cockpit, which remains fitted out exactly as it would have been during the aircraft’s days soaring through the skies.

Meanwhile, the Airbnb, located in Brislington on the city’s outskirts, boasts an outstanding guest rating of 4.82 out of 5 from 103 reviews.

The accommodation, which caters for four guests, is promoted by its owner as “your chance to live like a billionaire at 32”.

“This Boeing 727 airliner has the original 1980’s private jet interior,” it adds. “Walnut panelling, gold details and crystals adorn this exquisite space ideal for nights away. It has two lounge spaces, a king-sized bed, two single beds, three toilets, a shower, full kitchen and a fully-fitted cockpit.”

Meanwhile, the latest review of the Airbnb makes for remarkable reading, with the visitor gushing: “This is a great and special place. You can tell, this property was a passion project and was overflowing with character. Good and clear check in instruction video. Check in and check out was perfect.

“Would recommend staying at a weekend, as its location in an industrial estate wouldn’t have a lot of privacy in the week. Loved it so much, am already thinking of the next excuse to stay.”

The only drawback of this Airbnb, as highlighted by several TikTok users, is its location in the “middle of an industrial estate, lacking nearby amenities other than a McDonald’s”.

WITH summer in full swing, holidaymakers are flocking to the beaches to make the most of the sun.

Airbnb has revealed the trending beach destinations around the world, with the Northumberland coastline making the cut.

8

8

Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun’s Travel Awards – enter to win here

The northern county of Northumberland has been getting lots of attention over the summer, with plenty of pretty beaches that are usually less busy than those in the south.

Airbnb said: “Northumberland is drawing more summer visitors, with searches up over 50 per cent this summer, thanks to its pristine North Atlantic beaches.”

One beach that’s been highlighted as a must-see is Embleton Bay. It sits on the edge of the North Sea to the east of the village of Embleton.

The bay has a long stretch of golden sands, cool water and it’s overlooked by the ruins of Dunstanburgh Castle.

Lots of visitors stumble across the bay and are stunned by it’s beauty, one wrote on Tripadvisor: “We thought we had seen all the best beaches in Northumberland but Embleton Bay wowed us the most!

“Crystal clear waters, fabulous views of Dunstanburgh Castle and acres of perfect sand and even though weather was fantastic we had the beach practically to ourselves.”

Another said the bay was one of Northumberland’s “best kept secrets”.

Near Embleton Bay is a pub that has previously held the title of ‘best beach bar in the UK’ – it’s called the Ship Inn in Low Newton-by-the-Sea.

It once claimed top spot in a list of the best beach pubs in the country put together by Conde Nast Traveller.

8

8

The publication said: “Low Newton-by-the-Sea is one of the prettiest spots on the Northumberland coast.

“The tiny pub sits in the middle of a horseshoe of whitewashed cottages set around a village green where a cluster of trestle tables face the sea.”

The seaside town of Bamburgh also go a mention, and it has been dubbed the best seaside town of 2025 according to Which?.

Other favourites spots along the Northumberland coastline include Alnmouth, Beadnell Bay, and Druridge Bay.

Here are some of our own favourite spots across Northumberland…

Newbiggin-by-the-Sea 

Sun writer Kevin Donald took a trip to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea – one of Britain’s most budget-friendly seaside resorts.

He discovered bargain places to grab a bite too like The Coble pub and Caffe Bertorelli where you can pick up a cheap ice cream.

During his trip, one local said he wasn’t surprised more people were visiting, he added: “The beach is stunning and there are loads
of nice shops and pubs and cafes to visit but for me, the best thing about the place is the people.

“They are so friendly and welcoming here that you can’t help but fall
for the place, it has a lovely community atmosphere.”

8

Lindisfarne 

Sun writer Matt Dathan visited the town of Lindisfarne also know as Holy Island.

The tidal island is a two square mile island and can only be accessed for around five hours a day.

It looks so other-worldly that Matt said he felt as if he were leaving England.

There he discovered ruins of a monastery and Lindisfarne Castle which he said has incredible views — and even includes a toilet that claims to be the “best loo with a view”.

8

Spittal

Sun writer Jenny Green took a trip up to Northumberland‘s Berwick-upon-Tweed, three miles from the Scottish border.

She was spoiled for choice for doggy beach walks, as there’s 30 miles of beaches in Northumberland and lots are dog-friendly all year round.

Her favourites spots were Alnmouth Bay where if you’re lucky, you can see dolphins and whales swimming just off the coast and Bamburgh Beach which she described as looking like “something out of Game of Thrones”.

She also recommended checking out the quirky shops around the market towns, including one called Barter Books in Alnwick, which is a second-hand store housed in an old railway station.

Other popular beach destinations that Airbnb said are on the rise include Conil de la Frontera in Spain where one Sun travel writer went a few years ago.

The Spanish hotspot goes mostly unnoticed by British holiday makers, but our writer discovered pretty beaches with bars and pretty town squares.

8

The seaside town of Conil de la Frontera is known for its part in the tuna fishing industry – so there’s plenty of tasty seafood dishes to try.

Palermo is the capital of the Italian island of Sicily and has become another trending beach destination.

Hossegor in France also known as “the surfing capital of Europe” is rising in popularity.

It has plenty of beautiful beaches as well as places to shop and dine.

Take a look at the best-rated UK seaside towns for families picked by our experts – including Britain’s sunniest beach & stays from £26.

Plus, discover the UK’s sunniest beach town that feels like going back in time has ‘no arcades’ and barely any rain.

The full list of trending beach destiantions, according to Airbnb…

Saquarema, Brazil

New Shoreham, RI, United States

Conil de la Frontera, Spain

Palermo, Italy

Hossegor, France

Northumberland, United Kingdom

Fukuoka, Japan

Big Bear Lake, CA, United States

Port Aransas, TX, United States

Portland, ME, United States

8

Jemma Louise Gough

Jemma Louise Gough

Reasons why a host can cancel

George Nathanel was found guilty of illegally using the properties in North Finchley, north London, for short-term rental bookings, Barnet Council said in a statement

A rogue landlord has been hit with a hefty £75k fine for unlawfully renting out two flats on Airbnb and Booking.com to unruly revellers.

Neighbours of properties leased out to partygoers by George Nathanel were subject to banging parties and chaos.

A court heard that the properties were being booked through holiday platforms for brief stays by large groups, often using them for raucous parties. Neighbours reported significant noise disruptions due to lack of soundproofing and antisocial hours, with boisterous parties continuing into the small hours of the morning.

Victim statements presented in court included one from a local resident who described the rentals as “stressful and devastating.” He said that they had a “detrimental impact on his life, his work and mental health” and it “had severely impacted his ability to sleep and has made living in the property unbearable.”

Have you been badly impacted by a holiday let? Maybe we can help. Email [email protected]

Mr Nathanel was convicted of illicitly utilising the North Finchley properties in north London for short-term lettings, according to Barnet Council.

The landlord, who oversaw the flats on behalf of Zenobia properties, was served a notice by the council in November 2023 to halt the use of the flats following grievances from local residents.

The Grove Road residences were scrutinised for potential planning control breaches as the properties only had permission to be used as self-contained single households. Nathanel failed to attend court hearings, telling the court that he was residing in Russia with his children and awaiting surgery.

The landlord claimed ignorance about the short-term lets on Airbnb and Booking.com, yet was hailed as “an amazing, attentive and responsive host” in Airbnb reviews.

The court heard that the two flats had been occupied for at least 220 days within the first ten months of 2024, according to evidence from the prosecution.

On June 26, 2025, Nathanel faced justice at Willesden Magistrates’ Court, where he was convicted for not adhering to a Breach of Condition Notice from the council. He received a hefty fine of £75,000, was ordered to cover council costs amounting to £5,400, and pay a victim surcharge of £2,000.

Cllr Ross Houston, Cabinet Member for Homes and Regeneration, commented: “We gave Mr Nathanel ample opportunity to stop using the properties as short term rentals, but were left with no alternative but to take him to court when he didn’t stop.

“Barnet Council clamps down hard on rogue landlords and where they don’t cooperate, we will always bring them to justice. We would like to thank the residents who brought this case to our attention. This is a great result for the neighbours whose lives were made a misery by the illegal letting of these flats on Airbnb and Booking.com.

“The prosecution and huge fine highlights the seriousness of the case and will be a strong deterrent to other rogue landlords from breaking the rules in the borough of Barnet.”

A Booking.com representative said: “When accommodation providers sign up to list on Booking.com, they agree to our terms and conditions, where we ask them to verify that they are operating in full compliance with local laws and are legally permitted to rent out their property on a short-term basis.

“If we are ever made aware that a property on our site may not be operating in compliance with local regulations, we investigate and take further action as needed.

“At Booking.com, we remain committed to collaborating with the Government and local authorities to help deliver sustainable, measured legislative solutions for short-term-lets in the UK.”

Airbnb was contacted for comment.

A milestone court case came to a close in Spain earlier this month, ruling that ten holiday lets all located in the same block must close down due to “the illicit and unsanitary activities” that had taken place there.

Vomiting and sex in the communal areas, as well as drunken, destructive, and lewd guest behaviour, had caused one family stress, anxiety, and sleepless nights. This was judged to have inflicted psychological damage on the family, which includes two children, and violated their fundamental right to privacy.

Madrid’s 44th Court of First Instance ruling—that the flats must stop being used as holiday lets—is a significant one, as the properties were registered legally but their presence was judged to infringe on the family’s rights.

In the ruling, the judge noted “the constant noise, the breaking of shared fixtures, the filling of the lobby with suitcases at all hours, and the presence of shopping trolleys filled with towels,” before the family were awarded €37,000 in damages.

Last week, a new register was introduced in Spain that requires all properties used for tourism and short-term holiday rentals to have a mandatory registration code to operate legally

More European countries will crack down on holiday rentals such as Airbnb, property experts have predicted.

Italy could be the next country to target Airbnb after Spain triggered a “domino effect” by introducing stringent new laws aimed at regulating and controlling the market.

Last week, a new register was introduced in Spain that requires all properties used for tourism and short-term holiday rentals to have a mandatory registration code to operate legally. According to some reports, 66,000 properties have been taken off the market.

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2030 says many of the properties in question have been deemed illegal because their listings do not show a licence or registration number.

READ MORE: ‘I ditch my boyfriend to travel alone – more women should skip couples’ trips’

According to 2024 data from the Spanish statistics office, there were 351,389 short-term rentals advertised in Spain on the Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo platforms. That number has been cut by just under 20 per cent due to the new laws, The Times reports.

The move has been welcomed by protesters who have long argued that the proliferation of holiday lets has pushed up house prices for locals by steadily increasing demand.

From the holidaymakers’ perspective, one potential downside of the decreased supply is that it may lead to increased prices.

If the new system is judged to be a success, other countries may follow suit. A likely candidate is Italy, given that the country is currently engaged in a court battle to ban key boxes on streets in a clampdown on short-term lets.

Kundan Bhaduri, who works at The Kushman Group—a property company that specialises in HMOs—predicted that the Italian government is “clearly next” to crack down on holiday lets.

“Spain’s move to demand a national registry for short-term lets is just the opening salvo. Italy is clearly next. France, Portugal and even the balmy Balearics have all flirted with similar measures,” he said.

Kundan, who is himself an Airbnb landlord, complained that he and his property-letting colleagues often find themselves “painted as moustache-twirling villains standing between honest citizens and affordable housing.”

READ MORE: Anyone flying budget airlines this summer given new update on baggage size checksREAD MORE: Wales green lights £33million tourist tax – how much you’ll pay

Harry Goodliffe, director at HTG Mortgages, said Spain’s ruling could lead to a “domino effect” across the EU.

He continued: “Spain’s crackdown could trigger a domino effect across Europe, and Italy looks next in line. The combination of overtourism and local housing pressures is pushing governments to act, and short-term lets are the obvious target. If Italy tightens the rules, expect thousands of listings to vanish.”

Tony Redondo, founder at Cosmos Currency Exchange, predicted that France is even more likely than Italy to be the next to crack down on Airbnb.

“Italy’s Airbnb regulations are far less stringent than Spain’s crackdown, which resulted in the delisting of 66,000 properties. France may emulate Spain’s approach,” he said.

Back in May an Airbnb spokesperson said: “Airbnb will continue to appeal against all decisions linked to this case. No evidence of rule-breaking by hosts has been put forward, and the decision goes against EU and Spanish law, and a previous ruling by the Spanish Supreme Court.

“The root cause of the affordable housing crisis in Spain is a lack of supply to meet demand. The solution is to build more homes – anything else is a distraction. Governments across the world are seeing that regulating Airbnb does not alleviate housing concerns or return homes to the market – it only hurts local families who rely on hosting to afford their homes and rising costs.”

BARCELONA, Spain — Protesters used water pistols against unsuspecting tourists in Barcelona and on the Spanish island of Mallorca on Sunday as demonstrators marched to demand a rethink of an economic model they believe is fueling a housing crunch and erasing the character of their hometowns.

The marches were part of the first coordinated effort by activists concerned with the ills of overtourism across southern Europe’s top destinations. While several thousand rallied on Mallorca in the biggest gathering of the day, hundreds more gathered in other Spanish cities, as well as in Venice and Portugal’s capital, Lisbon.

“The squirt guns are to bother the tourists a bit,” Andreu Martínez said in Barcelona with a chuckle after spritzing a couple seated at an outdoor cafe. “Barcelona has been handed to the tourists. This is a fight to give Barcelona back to its residents.”

Martínez, a 42-year-old administrative assistant, is one of a growing number of residents who are convinced that tourism has gone too far in the city of 1.7 million people. Barcelona hosted 15.5 million visitors last year with such attractions as Antoni Gaudí’s La Sagrada Familia basilica and the Las Ramblas promenade.

Martínez says his rent has risen more than 30% as more apartments in his neighborhood are rented to tourists for short-term stays. He said there is a related effect of traditional stores being replaced by businesses catering to tourists, such as souvenir shops, burger joints and bubble tea spots.

“Our lives, as lifelong residents of Barcelona, are coming to an end,” he said. “We are being pushed out systematically.”

Around 5,000 people gathered in Palma, the capital of Mallorca, with some toting water guns as well and chanting, “Everywhere you look, all you see are tourists.” The tourists who were targeted by water blasts laughed it off. The Balearic island is a favorite for British and German sun-seekers. It has seen housing costs skyrocket as homes are diverted to the short-term rental market.

Hundreds more marched in Granada, in southern Spain, and in the northern city of San Sebastián, as well as the island of Ibiza.

In Venice, a couple of dozen protesters unfurled a banner calling for a halt to new hotel beds in the lagoon city in front of two recently completed structures, one in the popular tourist destination’s historic center where activists say the last resident, an elderly woman, was kicked out last year.

‘That’s lovely’

Protesters in Barcelona blew whistles and held up homemade signs saying, “One more tourist, one less resident.” They stuck stickers with a drawing of water pistols on the doors of hotels and hostels that said “Citizen Self-Defense,” in Catalan, and “Tourist Go Home,” in English.

There was tension when the march stopped in front of a large hostel, where a group emptied their water guns at two workers positioned in the entrance. They also set off firecrackers next to the hostel and opened a can of pink smoke. One worker spat at the protesters as he slammed the hostel’s doors.

American tourists Wanda and Bill Dorozenski were walking along Barcelona’s main luxury shopping boulevard where the protest started. They received a squirt or two, but she said it was actually refreshing given the 83-degree weather.

“That’s lovely, thank you, sweetheart,” Wanda said to the squirter. “I am not going to complain. These people are feeling something to them that is very personal, and is perhaps destroying some areas” of the city, she said.

There were also many marchers with water pistols who didn’t fire at bystanders, using them instead to cool themselves.

Crackdown on Airbnb

Cities across the world are struggling with how to cope with mass tourism and a boom in short-term rental platforms, like Airbnb, but perhaps nowhere has surging discontent been so evident as in Spain, where protesters in Barcelona first took to firing squirt guns at tourists during a protest last summer.

There has also been a confluence of the pro-housing and anti-tourism struggles in Spain, whose 48 million residents welcomed a record 94 million international visitors last year. When thousands marched through the streets of the capital city of Madrid in April, some held homemade signs saying “Get Airbnb out of our neighborhoods.”

Spanish authorities are striving to show they hear the public outcry while not hurting an industry that contributes 12% of the gross domestic product.

Last month, Spain’s government ordered Airbnb to remove almost 66,000 holiday rentals from the platform that it said had violated local rules.

Spain’s Consumer Rights Minister Pablo Bustinduy told the Associated Press shortly after the crackdown on Airbnb that the tourism sector “cannot jeopardize the constitutional rights of the Spanish people,” which enshrines their right to housing and well-being. Carlos Cuerpo, the economy minister, said in a separate interview that the government is aware it must tackle the unwanted side effects of mass tourism.

The boldest move was made by Barcelona’s town hall, which stunned Airbnb and other services that help rent properties to tourists by announcing last year the elimination of all 10,000 short-term rental licenses in the city by 2028.

That sentiment was back in force on Sunday, as people held up signs saying “Your Airbnb was my home.”

‘Taking away housing’

The short-term rental industry contends that it is being treated unfairly.

“I think a lot of our politicians have found an easy scapegoat to blame for the inefficiencies of their policies in terms of housing and tourism over the last 10, 15, 20 years,” Airbnb’s general director for Spain and Portugal, Jaime Rodríguez de Santiago, recently told the AP.

That argument either hasn’t trickled down to the residents of Barcelona or isn’t resonating.

Txema Escorsa, a teacher in Barcelona, doesn’t just oppose Airbnb in his home city; he has ceased to use it even when traveling elsewhere, out of principle.

“In the end, you realize that this is taking away housing from people,” he said.

Wilson writes for the Associated Press. AP videojournalist Hernán Múñoz in Barcelona and AP writer Colleen Barry in Venice contributed to this report.

Airbnb, the reigning king of short-term rental booking, is expanding its offering with the introduction of Services as part of a holistic and massive new rebrand

Airbnb wants to be the single site for all your beauty, wellness and food whims – and not just while you travel. Ahead of summer, the company has launched a suite of new features and services that manages to be both ambitious and suspiciously familiar.

Airbnb CEO, Brian Chesky, has a bold idea to make the term ‘Airbnb’ synonymous with more than just booking accommodation. In fact, the company’s new plans seek to effectively change the modern lexicon in favour of making ‘Airbnb’ the all-encompassing verb for sourcing convenient and reliable services.

In May 2025, the company launched new features, including Airbnb Services, Airbnb Experiences, and a new app to make conducive to connecting with other users and decentring short-rental booking.

READ MORE: Passes founder dethrones Taylor Swift as youngest self-made woman billionaire

While Airbnb Experiences is nothing particularly new, Airbnb Services is new territory for the company as it looks to expand its influence. Airbnb is looking to match the services offered by hotels – like room service, fully stocked gyms and in-house spas – by allowing users to book those services through their platform.

Airbnb has launched Services with 10 categories in 260 cities, with new offerings and locations dropping regularly in the app. You can now ‘Airbnb’ in-home meals from professional chefs or a massage from certified therapists.

Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We’d love to hear from you!

A major part of the brand shift for Airbnb is decoupling its experiences and services from travel abroad. To that end, users will be able to book Services in their own city, without needing to schedule a trip or accommodation first.

The company says its Services hosts have been “vetted for quality through an evaluation of expertise and reputation”. Services hosts reportedly have an average of 10 years of experience and have completed Airbnb’s identity verification process. To cement its reputation for top-tier services, all hosts are also required to submit relevant licenses and certifications.

There’s quite a bit more to Chesky’s ambitious plans for the future of the company, including new social and messaging features and advanced user profiles that function “almost like a passport”, as reported by Wired.

In a recent profile with the publication, Chesky said: “I’m 43 and at a crossroads, where I can either be almost done or just getting started. There’s a scenario where I’m basically done. Airbnb is very profitable. We’ve kind of, mostly, nailed vacation rentals. But we can do more.”

The bold rebrand dropped amidst a major crackdown of Airbnbs in Spain which saw the removal of nearly 65,000 holiday listings from the platform.

Just days after the company announced its new suite of services, it was revealed around 65,935 Airbnb properties would be delisted for breaking strict regulation rules such as not including their licence number, failing to specify whether the owner was an individual or a company, or because their listed numbers did not match official records.

In recent months, tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets protesting rising housing and rental costs, which many say have been driven up by holiday rentals on platforms like Airbnb that have proliferated in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and many other popular tourist destinations

Holidaymakers heading to Spain should “act immediately” if they’re concerned they might be impacted by a major Airbnb ban.

This week, authorities in Spain announced a major crackdown on Airbnb, demanding the removal of over 65,000 listings from the platform for flouting regulations. The Consumer Rights Ministry highlighted that a significant number of the 65,935 Airbnb properties ordered to be delisted lacked proper licensing information or failed to clarify if the listing was managed by an individual or a company, with some using incorrect license numbers.

The country is facing a severe housing affordability crisis, prompting authorities to take a stand against short-term rental firms like Airbnb.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email [email protected]

READ MORE: Airbnb told to pull 65,000 holiday listings in Spain tourism crackdown

While many Brits may sympathise with those in Spain feeling the impact of the cost-of-living crisis and high rents generally, they may still worry about whether or not their holidays will go ahead as planned this summer.

Laura Evans-Fisk, head of digital and engagement at travel money firm eurochange, spoke to the Mirror about the likely impact of the ban and what holidaymakers should do.

“This announcement is likely to impact the number of accommodation options in tourist hotspots like Barcelona, Madrid, Mallorca and the Canary Islands. It will likely also mean higher prices will be introduced for remaining short-term rentals, whilst demand is high,” Laura predicted.

“It’s also very likely to impact hotel bookings, potentially raising prices during peak seasons, and it could be much more difficult to get a last-minute room. Travellers will need to book hotel rooms much further in advance, especially during peak summer months.”

Laura’s advice for anyone travelling to Spain in the near future is to act swiftly and check four things.

“If you’re planning a trip to Spain, I’d recommend checking if your accommodation has proper licensing and booking well in advance if you can,” she said.

“If you’re worried your Airbnb booking might be affected, contact your host immediately to confirm if they have been impacted and get their perspective on the situation. It’s also worth checking with Airbnb directly about their refund policy for regulatory cancellations. Typically, they will offer full refunds when bookings are cancelled due to regulatory changes.

Sign up to the Mirror Travel newsletter for a

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

selection of the best travel stories every week

Mirror Travel

Click here to subscribe

You can get a selection of the most interesting, important and fun travel stories sent to your inbox every week by subscribing to the Mirror Travel newsletter. It’s completely free and takes minutes to do.

“Start looking for alternative accommodation as soon as possible, especially if travelling during peak season. Hotels or hostels are likely to be your best option. Many coastal areas still have traditional tourist apartments that operate with proper licenses too. If you’re struggling to get a refund and you’ve already paid the full amount, make sure you document all communications and contact your credit card company to discuss getting your money back.

“Make sure you also check your travel insurance to see if it covers accommodation cancellations due to regulatory changes. It’s definitely worth bearing this in mind for future trips too.”

Public discontent over escalating housing and rental prices, exacerbated by the surge in holiday lets offered on platforms such as Airbnb, has led to widespread protests across Spain, including major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

“Enough already with protecting those who make a business out of the right to housing,” declared Consumer Minister Pablo Bustinduy during a press briefing on Monday.

In response to the government’s order, Airbnb has vowed to challenge the decision, arguing through a spokesperson that the ministry lacks jurisdiction over short-term rentals and accusing it of employing “an indiscriminate methodology” that wrongly targets Airbnb listings not requiring a license.

Barcelona took a bold step last year, unveiling a strategy to phase out all 10,000 apartments registered for short-term rentals by 2028, aiming to preserve residential housing for locals. The ministry revealed that Airbnb had been informed about the noncompliant listings months ago, but the company had challenged the decision in court.

The Government has ordered Airbnb to pull the listing in a bid to reduce the impact of tourism

Spain’s government has ordered Airbnb to block more than 65,000 holiday listings on its platform over rule violations. The Spanish consumer rights ministry said that many of the 65,935 Airbnb listings it had ordered to be withdrawn did not include their licence number or specify whether the owner was an individual or a company.

Others listed numbers did not match official records. Spain is grappling with a housing affordability crisis that has spurred government action against short-term rental companies.

In recent months, tens of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets in protest against rising housing and rental costs, which many say have been driven up by holiday rentals on platforms like Airbnb that have proliferated in cities like Madrid and Barcelona and many other popular tourist destinations.

Last year, Barcelona announced a plan to close down all of the 10,000 apartments licensed in the city as short-term rentals by 2028 to safeguard the housing supply for full-time residents.

Spain’s government said the first round of rentals affected by the order are located across the country, including in the capital Madrid, in Andalusia and also in Catalonia, whose capital is Barcelona.

The move comes as Steve Heapy, chief executive of airline and tour operator Jet2, said there is a “perception” among some people that overseas visitors are not welcome in Spain. Spanish residents in popular destinations have organised a number of demonstrations against tourism in recent years, with banners featuring messages such as “tourists go home”.

The impact of tourism on rental rates is a common theme at the protests. Speaking at an event at the Spanish embassy in London, Mr Heapy said: “We’ve had people ringing the call centre and going into travel agents, asking questions like ‘is Spain safe’, ‘are we still welcome in the resort’.”

He went on: “It is becoming a big issue unfortunately, and perception becomes truth.”

Mr Heapy said “unlicensed tourism” – such as people staying in private accommodation listed on Airbnb – is “causing a huge problem” and “needs to be controlled”. Issues such as uncertainty over visitor numbers, unpaid tourist taxes and properties that “could be death traps” are among the issues, he said.

“Unfortunately there’s been a massive explosion in unlicensed tourism properties.”

He went on: “Airbnb can be controlled. They don’t rule the world. They are an online platform that we can control and put legislation in place.”

Mr Heapy said if he was a politician he would introduce fines of “a quarter of a million euros” for Airbnb hosts found not to have the required licences or tax records. Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, insisted it is “important to distinguish between specific local tensions and the broader national picture”.

He went on: “The vast majority of Spain remains enthusiastic in welcoming tourists. Where protests have occurred – in cities such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca and Santa Cruz – concerns stem from broader societal issues: housing pressures, rising costs of living, and environmental strain in high-density areas.”

He added: “Spain is taking concrete steps to address these issues – through legislation on short-term rentals, tourism taxes in certain regions, and more comprehensive destination management.”

Spain is the most popular overseas destination for people in the UK, with more than 18 million visits last year. Spain’s Secretary of State for Tourism Rosario Sanchez Grau said: “We are proud and grateful that Spain remains the number one holiday destination for UK visitors.

“It is our priority to protect and nurture this relationship for the future.”

Airbnb wants to do your hair, cook your dinner, massage your back and possibly photograph your honeymoon. All these services, and several more, are part of a new bid by the company to further expand beyond its roots as a lodging broker.

The company unveiled Airbnb Services — which includes 10 initial categories — while relaunching its experiences program and introducing a new app design at a media event in Los Angeles on Tuesday. Rather than heavily emphasizing lodging, the redesigned app more strongly integrates all of its offerings and encourages more interaction among guests and hosts.

This new approach opens new possibilities for the company and its customers, who could order services and experiences from home or on the road. But this step depends on a lot of behind-the-scenes work. The new services menu — which went live Tuesday with 10,500 offerings — will be offered in 260 cities, and Airbnb vows to protect consumers by carefully vetting those legions of service providers.

Airbnb, born in 2007, grew to challenge the hotel industry and became a giant in the world of hospitality. It first launched its Airbnb Experiences program in 2016, serving as a matchmaker between travelers and people offering their services as specialized tour guides and teachers. But that effort sputtered.

By 2022, many critics on Reddit and elsewhere were complaining that Airbnb experiences were unreliable, and industry website Skift reported that Airbnb had stopped adding new experiences and reduced emphasis on them on its homepage. With this relaunch, company representatives said, Airbnb is aiming to focus more narrowly on distinctive experiences that have been more closely vetted. The company also said it would include more experiences focused on meeting or spending time with celebrities.

To start, Airbnb would offer about 22,000 experiences in 650 cities in 22 categories. To announce the new moves, Airbnb co-founder and Chief Executive Brian Chesky convened hundreds of influencers, podcasters and media in a special-event space in Boyle Heights.

“What if you could Airbnb more than a place to stay?” Chesky asked the audience. “Today we are changing travel again.”

For instance, Chesky said, “Now you can book a professional chef to come right to your home.” The same goes for photographers, personal trainers, massage and spa treatments, hair-styling, makeup and nails. Moreover, “you don’t need to stay at an Airbnb to book these services. You can book them in your own city.”

Chesky said he expects to add thousands of more services over the course of 2025.

In the case of Airbnb Experiences, “we’ve learned a lot about how to make them better,” said Chesky, tacitly acknowledging the feature’s uneven history. As before, the goal is to give travelers an experience that reaches beyond the usual photo-op spots and bus-tour stops.

Stressing small groups, specific themes, Chesky said the new experiences will fall into five categories: history and culture; food and drink; nature and outdoors; art and design; and fitness and wellness. He encouraged anyone who is an expert in their city and has something to share to apply to be a host. Airbnb representatives said the vetting process, which can take up to two weeks, includes online scrutiny of a host’s work history, licensing, education and any awards — along with ongoing attention to guest reviews.

The renewed program also includes about 1,000 Airbnb Originals — adventures in the company of “the world’s most interesting people.” As examples, Chesky cited a mezcal-tasting session in Mexico City with an expert, a class with a ramen master in Tokyo, a dance with a K-pop performer in Seoul and a visit to Notre Dame with an architect who worked on the cathedral’s restoration.

Those offerings feature at least a few celebrity options, which include spending a Sunday with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, “learning to throw the perfect spiral” or an anime-intensive encounter called “Become an Otaku Hottie with Megan Thee Stallion.” Airbnb said those initial celebrity experiences are free, offered as a promotion, with guests chosen from applicants.