Spatial associations between Airbnb listing density and urban determinants: A comparison of Hong Kong's pre-pandemic and recovery-stage snapshots

Airbnb listing density in Hong Kong shows a different spatial pattern in the 2024 recovery-stage snapshot compared with the 2019 pre-pandemic snapshot. However, it remains unclear how the spatial associations of listing density with its determinants differ between these two cross-sectional snapshots. This study employs Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression to compare associations between listing density and three sets of determinants—functional facilities, accessibility, and socioeconomic characteristics—across the two benchmark moments. The results show that the associations of Airbnb listing density with functional facilities differ between the two snapshots. Hotels show a negative association on average in 2019 and a citywide positive association in 2024, while the association with shopping malls remains positive and becomes more spatially heterogeneous in 2024. Catering has a positive but spatially uneven association in 2024. Tourist attractions are significantly associated with Airbnb listing density only in 2019, whereas university density shows a weaker and partly reversed association in 2024. Accessibility variables show no statistically supported associations with Airbnb listing density in 2024, while socioeconomic characteristics exhibit more consistent citywide associations. Overall, Airbnb listing density in the 2024 recovery-stage snapshot is more closely associated with mixed commercial functions and rental market conditions than with accessibility. These findings may inform future monitoring and policy discussions on the management of Hong Kong's Airbnb market during the recovery stage.