Report from the Institute of Place Management informs Slovenian housing policy
The Slovenian government have drawn upon a report published by Manchester Metropolitan researchers to inform amendments to Hospitality Act
The phenomenon of short-term rentals (STRs) of residential properties is an ongoing challenge for many cities globally. The development of STR platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Vrbo and Expedia has led to the temporary or permanent conversion of tens of thousands of residential properties across Europe.
Findings from the report published by researchers from the Institute of Place Management, Manchester Law School and Manchester School of Architecture has provided the basis upon which the Slovenian Ministry for Tourism, Sport, and the Economy to introduce a new law in a bid to make housing more accessible.
The team compiled the report following a competitive tender process for the preparation of a study upon which to base the Hospitality Law, and were successful thanks to our research expertise and existing networks in Ljubljana.
Slovenia has experienced a 500% increase in the number of Airbnb and Vrbo listings between 2015-2023.
Due to a recent rise in tourism in cities such Ljubljana, Piran and Alpine Slovenia, they also saw shortages in tourist accommodation. STRs were deemed a quick solution to allow for tourism industry growth and to tackle the lack of infrastructure in traditional tourism accommodation.
Evidence outlined in the report suggests that cities such a Ljubljana have also faced issues of higher property prices and long-term rentals bringing issues such as population displacement and touristification. The concentration of privatised apartments and low availability of rental housing were found to have exacerbated access issues for vulnerable groups in Slovenia.
Dr Jenny Kanellopoulou, Senior Lecturer in the Manchester Law School and Institute of Place Management and Dr Nikos Ntounis Senior Lecturer in the department of Marketing, International, Business and Tourism and Senior Fellow, Institute of Placement Management said:
“We are honoured to see our expertise in Ljubljana’s urban environment acknowledged by the Slovenian Government and to play a proactive role in shaping the legal landscape on housing and tourism.
Amidst the constant shrinking of available housing in urban centres, it is essential for cities and regions to prioritise the needs of their population through flexible legal mechanisms that best serve the public interest.
While the importance of tourism investment for local economies is acknowledged, ensuring adequate housing for residents remains a primary concern. The Slovenian Hospitality Law aims to balance the support for tourism with the urgent housing needs of communities”
Through the research grant, the team were able to appoint one PhD student, Harry Houlden from Manchester Law School and one postgraduate student from the School of Architecture, Dominika Wochowska, who provided research assistance.
* This article was first published on the Manchester Metropolitan University website on 3rd April 2025
About the author
Formed in 2006, the Institute of Place Management is the international professional body that supports people committed to developing, managing and making places better.