Tui says ‘overtourism’ is fault of short-term let companies not hotel industry

Travel operator hits back at Airbnb’s claim that it is being made a ‘scapegoat’ for problems in some holiday hotspots

Europe’s biggest travel operator, Tui, has hit back at an accusation by Airbnb that “overtourism” is the fault of the hotel industry, arguing that short-term home rentals companies are instead to blame.

Tensions have risen between rivals in the tourism industry after protests by local people against overcrowding, rising housing costs and bad behaviour by tourists in some holiday hotspots across the continent.