STA, 27 November 2019 - Reflecting on the notion of freedom, the business newspaper Finance takes issue in Wednesday's commentary with restrictions being introduced for Airbnb in Slovenia, hailing the Airbnb "platform and business model as a typical symbol of freedom".
"It brought thousands of real estate units on the market that had not been used before and had generated no earnings. They only had value as walls but not as a business.
"Airbnb instilled life in the walls and made people wealthier. It generated work. Because of Airbnb a large number of cities are more accessible to those not as wealthy, it increased equality, made living cheaper and encouraged tourism and entrepreneurship among people who would have never taken it on otherwise," Finance says.
The paper goes on to acknowledge that Airbnb also drove up housing prices, brought little in terms of tax revenue and can bother neighbours. It however wonders whether the neighbours are really bothered by tourists, suggesting they are simply envious.
"To resolve envy with legislation is not only unfree but also stupid," Finance says in the commentary entitled My Freedom Your Prison.
