Available Short Term Rental Data: The Need for More Spatial Research

Abstract

This application paper highlights the need and opportunity for research related to short term rental (“STR”) activity. The paper explores the importance of STRs relative to our understanding of the contemporary development of cities and neighborhoods. It does this by surveying the existing research literature on STRs and summarizing recent debates regarding the potential need for STR regulation. Part of this policy-focused discussion centers on Airbnb, the STR industry leader, and the available datasets related to its evolving operations. The paper also explores the insights that can be gained from STR research by presenting a case study of Airbnb’s footprint in Toronto. This regional analysis provides insight into the power of a joint consideration of STR activity together with broader urban-economic indicators, which speaks to the novel research opportunities that analysis of STR data makes possible. In sum, this paper argues that STR research is an appropriate target for the applied geography research community because of the practical need for business and public sector leaders to have a better understanding of the dynamics of this emerging industry, and the opportunity for new insight into urban-economic development more broadly that STR research makes possible.