The disruptive reaction of the travel and tourism industry to the Covid-19 pandemic: the case of Airbnb online experiences

Abstract

The Covid-19 has caused significant challenges to the global travel and tourism industry. Movement restrictions, rapid digitalization and changing consumers’ needs require companies to implement innovative solutions. This study aims at investigating the extent to which Airbnb online experiences are simply a pandemic-induced trend or a real long-term business opportunity. Data were collected through a two-stage methodology, combining interviews and an online survey, and analysed through factor analysis and linear regressions. The research showed that online experiences can stimulate both virtual and actual tourism, serving as a new medium to experience the world and as a complement to in-person travel.