Booking CEO Glenn Fogel believes that regulating holiday rentals is necessary. Speaking to the “Tagesspiegel” and the “Handelsblatt” (in their Friday editions), Fogel stated, “We must find a fair balance,” indicating that Booking is working closely with local governments and other stakeholders.
The travel platform, which is the largest in the world, has long offered bookings for private vacation homes and apartments in addition to standard hotel rooms. Out of over 32 million listings available on the platform, 9.1 million were alternative accommodations as of the end of the second quarter. During the second quarter of 2026, the number of these alternative listings grew by eight percent compared to the previous year.
However, the private rental market has faced strong local criticism in cities such as Paris, Venice, Amsterdam, and Berlin. Residents have raised concerns that these short-term rentals are shrinking available housing stock and driving up rental prices. Many local inhabitants feel highly frustrated, prompting the CEO to acknowledge the need for rules. “Naturally, this business needs regulations too, otherwise there would be chaos,” he commented.
Despite supporting regulation, Fogel cautioned against overly harsh interventions. He warned that measures designed poorly would only cause inefficiency rather than solve problems.
