Overview of the Study
The report “Chi gestisce Airbnb a Bari (e dintorni)? L’evoluzione del fenomeno degli affitti brevi tra il 2017 e il 2024” is a collaborative research effort coordinated by the FULL – Future Urban Legacy Lab, a research centre linked to Politecnico di Torino. The authors – Gianfranco Viesti, Mariella Annese, Gaia Caricola and Fabrizio D’Alessandro – bring expertise from the University of Bari, Politecnico di Bari and Politecnico di Torino. Their analysis examines the rapid growth of short‑term rentals on the Airbnb platform within the municipality of Bari and its surrounding areas over a seven‑year period.
Growth of Airbnb Listings
Between 2017 and 2024 the number of active Airbnb units in Bari rose from roughly 1 500 to 4 504, a 235 % increase. Correspondingly, total beds grew from about 5 000 to 15 000, a 300 % rise. Entire apartments now constitute 73 % of the 2024 offer, up from 58 % in 2017, indicating a shift toward whole‑property rentals. Hosts increased from 845 to 2 186, a 159 % jump, with large hosts (more than ten units) expanding from a marginal presence to managing a quarter of all listings.
Spatial Concentration
The surge is heavily concentrated in the historic centre (Città Vecchia) and the Murattiano district. Città Vecchia hosts 613 listings (13.6 % of the city total) but, when measured per 100 resident homes, the ratio reaches 19.4 Airbnb units per 100 homes, far above the city‑wide average of 2.4. Murattiano, Libertà and Madonnella also show high densities, while peripheral zones display far lower concentrations.
Performance Indicators
Demand outpaced supply dramatically. Nights booked climbed from under 80 000 in 2017 to over 518 000 in 2024, a 570 % increase. Occupancy rose from 25 % to 48 %, and the average daily rate (ADR) grew from €60 to €104, a 73 % rise. Consequently, total revenue surged from €4.7 million to €53.9 million, a 1 048 % increase. Revenue per unit jumped from €3 563 to €11 960, while revenue per host rose from €5 510 to €24 642.
Host Typology and Impact
In 2024 small hosts (1–2 units) comprised 80 % of all hosts, mirroring the national pattern. Large hosts, though only 62 in the SLL of Bari, controlled 21 % of active units and generated €15.9 million, representing 25.8 % of total earnings. Medium hosts (3–10 units) also expanded, contributing to a more professionalised market.
Wider Regional Context
The SLL (Sistema Locale del Lavoro) of Bari, encompassing 20 municipalities, recorded 6 200 active short‑term rentals in 2024, equivalent to 8.7 units per 1 000 residents, below the national average of 12.8. Host numbers in the SLL rose from 1 696 to 3 082, a 122 % increase, with large hosts managing a notable share of beds and revenues.
Implications for Sustainable Housing
The concentration of short‑term rentals in central districts has reduced the stock of long‑term housing, contributing to higher rental prices and a measurable “tourist pressure” on residential areas. In Città Vecchia, the ratio of tourist‑occupied homes exceeds 40 per 100 resident homes in some micro‑areas, highlighting potential challenges for housing affordability and community cohesion. The report suggests that policy interventions may be needed to balance tourism benefits with the preservation of affordable, sustainable housing for residents.
Key Statistics (2024)
- Active Airbnb units in Bari: 4 504
- Total beds: ~15 000
- Hosts: 2 186 (small 80 %, medium 12 %, large 8 %)
- Nights booked: 518 400
- Occupancy rate: 48 %
- ADR: €104
- Total revenue: €53.9 million
- Revenue per unit: €11 960
- Revenue per host: €24 642 These figures provide a comprehensive picture of the rapid expansion and economic impact of short‑term rentals in Bari, offering valuable insight for pan‑European stakeholders interested in the intersection of tourism, housing markets and sustainable urban development.