Examining the role of Airbnb on population displacement in urban neighbourhoods: a quantile regression study for Madrid and Barcelona

In recent years, the social sustainability of tourism destinations has become a very relevant aspect. This article analyses the relationship between population displacement from city-centre neighbourhoods and the concentration of short-term rentals – STR – offered on Airbnb for the top two Spanish urban destinations: Madrid and Barcelona. Quantile regression at neighbourhood-level is used to assess the urban population changes at different points of distribution and how the distance to the city centre, the presence of hotels or the variation in residential prices also influence intracity population movements. The results suggest that those neighbourhoods suffering population displacement are the neighbourhoods with the highest Airbnb presence, emphasising the importance in advancing on the study of STR regulations.