Short-Term Rental Platforms Redefine Hospitality And Housing Dynamics Across Europe

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 12, 2026

The rise of digital platforms such as Airbnb, Booking, and Expedia signals a clear shift in the landscape of travel and accommodation. As tourist numbers increase and platforms record continuously rising reservation figures, traditional hotels are facing fierce competition throughout every season.

Growing Demand And Consequent Market Shifts

While short-term rental properties are increasingly favored by tourists for their unique amenities and local character, the rapid growth in these bookings is beginning to reshape housing markets. In popular tourist areas, the surge in short-term leases has significantly reduced the availability of long-term rental units, thereby driving rental prices upward and intensifying housing shortages for local residents.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Robust Regional Growth And Performance

Market data underscores this trend across Europe. For instance, Malta recorded an impressive 24.0% increase in short-term rental bookings, with Cyprus following at 19.4%. Additional strong performances were noted in Sweden (13.1%), Greece (12.3%), as well as other nations such as Latvia, Germany, Denmark, Slovenia, Ireland, Finland, and the Czech Republic—all posting substantial double-digit growth rates.

In Cyprus, the momentum is clear: Q4 2025 saw 3,015,632 bookings compared to 1,962,423 in Q2, with Q1 registering 824,501 reservations. Major destinations, including Greece, France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, and Germany, continue to drive the market with impressive quarterly figures, signaling a robust and dynamic sector.

Record-Breaking Tourist Stays Across The European Union

Throughout the third quarter of 2025, Europe witnessed unprecedented overnight stays: July reached 148.5 million, August 164.3 million, and September 85.3 million—each month outperforming its 2024 counterpart. In total, 398.1 million overnight stays were recorded, marking an 8.7% increase and underscoring the enduring appeal of short-term rental platforms.

Tourism Hotspots And Strategic Destinations

Key regions—such as southern Spain’s Andalusia with 13.3 million overnight stays; Croatia’s Jadranska Hrvatska at 9.6 million; France’s Ile de France at 9.0 million; and the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region at 8.6 million—demonstrate that diverse, attractively local experiences continue to lure travelers away from conventional hotel arrangements.

Regulation And The Future Of Short-Term Rentals

In response to the evolving market, EU policymakers are enforcing tighter regulatory frameworks to enhance data consistency and transparency in the short-term rental sector. A newly revised legal structure concerning hotels and tourist accommodations, set to take effect on May 20, 2026, will standardize data collection across the EU, thereby empowering authorities to make informed decisions to balance tourism growth with local housing needs.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Euro Area Trade Surplus Squeezed In November 2025 As Machinery Exports Slide

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2026

The euro area recorded a €9.90 billion surplus in trade in goods with the rest of the world in November 2025, marking a notable decline from the €15.40 billion surplus in November 2024. Eurostat’s latest data points to a cooling in international trade activity, driven primarily by weaker exports of manufactured goods, despite improvements in the energy sector.

Declining Exports And Imports

In November 2025, the euro area’s exports fell to €240.20 billion, a 3.4 percent drop from €248.70 billion a year earlier. Imports declined by 1.3 percent to €230.30 billion, compared with €233.30 billion in November 2024. This contraction in trade was mainly due to reduced activity in the manufacturing sector, which was only partially offset by gains in energy.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Sectoral Shifts: Improvement In Energy Performance

Among the notable shifts, the energy sector showed substantial improvement. The energy deficit was narrowed significantly, decreasing from a minus €24.30 billion in November 2024 to minus €17.60 billion in November 2025. This improvement underscores strategic adjustments in energy-related policies and investments aimed at mitigating broader economic challenges.

Year-To-Date Performance And Trends

For the first 11 months of 2025, the euro area achieved a total surplus of €152.70 billion, a decrease from €156.80 billion in the same period of 2024. During this period, exports to the rest of the world increased by 2.3 percent to €2.70 trillion, while imports edged up by 2.6 percent to €2.55 trillion. Intra-euro area trade also grew by 1.6 percent, reaching €2.42 trillion, reflecting steady domestic market activities within the single currency bloc.

European Union Trade Outlook

Across the wider European Union, the trade surplus in November 2025 stood at €8.10 billion, compared with €11.80 billion in November 2024. EU exports fell by 4.4 percent to €213.80 billion, while imports declined by 2.9 percent to €205.70 billion. Although the energy deficit improved, shrinking from €28.20 billion to €20.40 billion, weaker performance in key manufacturing segments, particularly machinery and vehicles, weighed on the overall balance.

Over the first 11 months of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus of €122.40 billion, down from €128.00 billion in the same period of 2024. Exports and imports increased by 2 percent and 2.3 percent respectively, while intra-EU trade grew by 2.2 percent to €3.82 trillion. The data points to mixed trends across EU trade rather than a uniform pattern of expansion or contraction.

Seasonally Adjusted Insights

On a seasonally adjusted month-to-month basis, figures for November 2025 show that euro area exports increased by 1.1 percent and imports by 2.5 percent, resulting in a surplus of €10.70 billion. In the European Union, exports rose by 2 percent and imports by 3.5 percent, yielding a seasonally adjusted surplus of €8.80 billion.

During the three months from September to November 2025, trade with non-euro and non-EU partners revealed divergent trends. Manufactured goods continued to face challenges, while energy-related trade showed relative strength.

Breaking news