The financialization of the platform-mediated short-term rental market: A critical literature review

The financialization of the platform-mediated short-term rental (STR) market is an emerging issue in the critical urban studies. Since the ramification and complexity of the platform-mediated STR market does not allow for a linear reading of financialization processes, the article aims to analyze the multiple levels and ways in which the STR market is opening up to these processes. Although there are a number of contributions that have investigated this perspective, this review aims to intercept the gaps and research perspectives that may emerge from the current debate on the topic. Through a critical literature review, the article outlines national and international debates on different levels of financialization in relation to the STR market. In particular, the thematic literature review will consider (i) the role of the State and regulation in facilitating the financialization of housing through short-term rentals; (ii) the financialization of housing: buy-to-rent and buy-to-sell investments related to STR; and (iii) the financialization of the offer: strategies proposed by platforms and property manager to incentivize investments in STR, such as micro-financing, loans, mortgages. Finally, the Italian debate on the topic is presented, highlighting how gaps in international literature can also be identified in this context, where more careful research on the actors and financial practices that characterize Airbnb is needed.

Keywords: financialization, Airbnb, short-term rentals, regulation, professionalization

Gianluca Bei, Chiara Iacovone, La finanziarizzazione nel mercato degli affitti brevi mediati da piattaforma: una revisione critica della letteratura in "RIVISTA GEOGRAFICA ITALIANA" 3/2025, pp 68-83, DOI: 10.3280/rgioa3-2025oa21176