Fusion – Small towns can’t handle the sharing economy tourism boom

August 24, 2016
In the teeny-tiny village of Joshua Tree, California, population 7,000, there are more than 200 vacation rentals on Airbnb. Travelers can also rent a vacation getaway through VRBO and HomeAway, or “camp” on someone else’s property through HipCamp. Just this month, a new option for the tech-minded traveler popped up there: small pods that nature-lovers can rent that include access to outdoor showers and a communal kitchen. Joshua Tree has always attracted tourists because it borders the magnificent Joshua Tree National Park. But in the age of Airbnb, it’s starting to feel overrun by visitors. And it’s not alone: It’s become so easy to find a place to stay in once remote small towns that permanent residents are feeling overwhelmed by the influx. The successful adoption of share economy start-ups has made it too easy for the tourism economy to grow to scales that small towns can’t support…
Source: http://fusion.net/story/339171/small-towns-airbnb/