The effects of location before and during COVID-19 Impacts on revenue of Airbnb listings in Milan (Italy)

This article explores the ability of locational variables and spillover to influence Airbnb listing per-formance in Milan. The effects of different determinants are analyzed for the periods before and during the pandemic. The sample includes 7213 listings, is based on AirDNA data, and developed using two regression models. The findings confirm the hypotheses proposed. The revenue estimated for a standard apartment in 2020 was approximately double that estimated for 2021. The results showed some substantial changes during the pandemic, which considerably reduced the ability of well-known variables (such as size) to explain the listing performance variance. The role of host characteristics (superhost badge) increased during the pandemic, while some contrac-tual terms were significantly changed, and the spatial spillover almost doubled.(c) 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This article explores the impact of locational variables and spillover on Airbnb listing performance in Milan and analyzes the effects of different determinants before and during the pandemic. The findings reveal significant changes during the pandemic, with a reduced ability of well-known variables to explain listing performance variance, an increased role of host characteristics, and significant changes in contractual terms.