Expansion or Invasion? The Rise of Airbnb in Mexico City, 2019-2023

Abstract

The supply of rental housing through digital platforms has experienced notable growth in recent decades, largely as a result of the technological revolution and the rise of ICTs. Although examples of this type of rental existed prior to the arrival of Airbnb in 2008, its rise and expansion can be traced from that date onward. In this context, the present study analyzes the geographic distribution differences of various types of Airbnb accommodations and their prices, as well as the relationship this type of rental has with the traditional housing stock in Mexico City. Data from the InsideAirbnb website and Mexico’s Population and Housing Census are used for a geographic analysis at two scales, local and regional. As a result, the study presents the impact of the pandemic on short-term rental housing, identifies areas with the highest concentration by type of offering, and determines the percentage of housing units from the traditional housing stock that have been incorporated into the platform.