Italy's short‑term rental market solidifies as key tourism sector

In the first half of 2026 CleanBnB, Italy's leading professional short‑term rental operator, managed 3,154 apartments, recorded 61,527 stays and generated €23.83 million in gross bookings. The average value per stay rose to €387, a 5 % increase over the same period in 2025, indicating higher quality and pricing.

A mapping by the Aigab association shows that 492,000 second homes are listed online for short‑term rentals, representing 1.4 % of Italy’s 35.6 million residences and 5.2 % of the 9.6 million unused second homes. About a quarter of these properties are handled by professional property‑management firms.

The sector employs roughly 45,000 operators and supports an estimated 150,000 jobs in services such as cleaning, maintenance, reservation management and related construction and design work. More than 700,000 Italian families – around 2.8 million people – rely on short‑term rentals as a primary source of income.

Industry leaders argue that, despite media focus on overtourism and housing pressures, short‑term rentals have become a structural component of Italy’s tourism economy, with regulatory reforms contributing to a more organised and professional market.