A nexus between airbnb and inequalities in water use and access.

Abstract

The emergence of digital tourism platforms through the sharing economy has brought into focus the potential opportunities it could promote and the inequalities it could exacerbate. Sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb are increasingly being utilised as alternative tourism accommodations. Though the sharing economy is promoted as economically beneficial and environmentally sustainable, its realised impacts are questioned. These realised impacts are of particular concern in water-scarce contexts such as Cape Town, South Africa as while water use may be virtually forgotten, its actual consumption remains predominately placed-based. This study explores these issues of inequality through the lens of the impact of Airbnb in Cape Town during one of the most severe droughts in over a century. Using a triangulation of mixed methods including web-based listing profile analysis, questionnaires, interviews and media analysis, Airbnb hosts were found to undertake the role of water ambassadors as concerned citizens and responsible tourism accommodation providers. However, spatial inequalities around outsourcing rental linen to marginalised areas of Cape Town and the power-laden training of domestic staff originating from outlying low-income areas, highlight the perpetuation of historically based understandings and considerations of water use.