Angry Italians in the capital Rome are trying to sabotage Airbnbs and short-term holiday lets as they rage at the state of the rental market in the city.
Protestors from a group called ‘Robin Hood’ are using glue to make key boxes unusable for those staying in rentals in the Trastevere district.
Robin Hood said in a statement: « We are sabotaging the symptoms of an unjust society. A home is a right, not a goose that lays golden eggs.
« Rents are rising and the number of people being evicted [from rental properties] is skyrocketing. »
Rome continues to see a big increase in tourism demand. Last year, 35 million people visited the city, a new record.
Next year, even more tourists are expected to come as Rome and the Vatican City hosts its jubilee ‘Holy Year’.
The Robin Hood activists have said: « Let’s sabotage the Jubilee of the rich. Let’s build the Jubilee of the poor together. »
The group has also spread letters throughout the city, with one saying: « If you are looking for the key safes and can’t find them, read this. We are rebelling.
« We have removed these key storage boxes to denounce the sell-out of the city to short-stay holidays which alienate locals and leave residents out on the streets. »
Frustration with tourism and Airbnbs has also been evident in Milan, where protestors have gained social media interaction with the slogan « This city is not a hotel. »
The protest group Chiediamo Casa (We are asking for a house) placed stickers in the city that said: « Less short lets, more houses for all. »
And in a group letter earlier this year, they added: « Let’s limit tourist rentals, let’s protest those who want to expel us from the city with unsustainable rents for inaccessible houses.
« We want a city for all and the right to live in dignified housing. »
Similar groups are active in other cities across Italy.
Earlier this year, protests groups in Tenerife deployed a similar strategy to Robin Hood as they took action against rentals for tourists.
Spain has also seen a big rise in anti-tourism protests in major cities like Barcelona, as well as islands like Majorca.
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