Amidst rising rents and crowded streets, Prague residents voice their concerns over mass tourism. With initiatives like "Kolektiv 115," locals depict their battle against platforms like Airbnb, advocating for sustainable tourism practices and affordable housing solutions.

How Prague is Tackling Mass Tourism

Noise, dirt, and a lack of affordable housing: mass tourism brings many problems to Prague. The Czech Republic is opting for education over bans to regulate the situation. However, many residents of Prague feel this is insufficient.

On a Saturday afternoon in Prague, the historic Old Town Square is as crowded as ever—tour groups from around the world follow their guides, while individual travelers are busy capturing moments on their phones and cameras.

In the midst of this chaos is a football game orchestrated by the initiative "Kolektiv 115." One team, in red jerseys, represents "Prague Residents," while the other competes as "Team Airbnb."

Prague vs. Airbnb

The football game itself is typically Czech, serving as an ironic commentary on the feelings of many residents who believe they are being pushed out of the city center. The Airbnb team resorts to cheating and attempts to bribe the referees.

In the end, however, the Prague team triumphs. After all, there are still genuine locals in the heart of the city. This reality contributes to the city’s reputation, which is not just a beautiful historical backdrop.

Disregardful Tourists, Rising Rents

"I have lived in the Old Town for 25 years, and it's terrible," says a retiree on the sidelines of a demonstration. There are so many tourists in the city, with most renting apartments in groups of six or eight. "They are here to get drunk cheaply. They return around three or four in the morning and cause chaos throughout the building."

But the younger generation is equally concerned. "Airbnb is effectively an illegal business," remarks one interviewee. "I have friends who are really struggling to find an apartment."

"I have long been dissatisfied with the housing situation in Prague, especially with rental prices that are unaffordable," adds a young woman. "And not much is being done to improve it."

Airbnb Rentals in a Legal Grey Area

Activists criticize primarily the conversion of residential spaces into vacation accommodations—especially through platforms like Airbnb. Last year, Prague recorded more overnight guests than ever before, with more than eight million visitors officially counted; additionally, up to 14,000 beds are believed to be rented out illegally.

As a result, homes for locals are becoming increasingly scarce and more expensive—often costing 20 euros per square meter. This is significantly more than in Dresden and nearly as much as in Munich.

"The fundamental mistake is that the political establishment pretends that Airbnb, in its current form, is legal and they just want to restrict this model," emphasizes Petr Mestecký, head of the Association for Affordable Housing in the Center of Prague. "It is only legal to rent out vacant rooms in apartments, not entire unoccupied apartments."

Legislation in Limbo

Czech authorities initially aimed to take a firmer stand against the issue. Cities were supposed to be allowed to set limits and conditions for short-term rentals, such as the number of rental days. However, the amendment to the tourism law is now being watered down—if it proceeds at all, as it is currently stalled in Parliament.

Only a digital guest register is planned. Landlords must register; otherwise, they face penalties. However, nothing is truly regulated in this approach. Therefore, who ultimately wins the real battle over the city center of Prague remains uncertain.