"Tourist platformisation": New urban tourism in Milan

The chapter proposes a reflection on the emergence of new forms of urban tourism as a result of the proliferation of the sharing economy. Digital platforms bring about opportunities as well as challenges and risks for the cities they are operating in. To analyse their impact and the current situation, the study draws from various kinds of data: a focus group with experts to conceptualise the main risks related to short-term rental platforms (since home sharing and Airbnb in particular are the biggest players of this change), a case study of Milan to exemplify how digital platforms are shaping a new form of tourism in terms of offer, and interviews with traditional hospitality businesses to assess their perception of the sharing economy. The chapter ends with an outlook on the future of tourism after the unexpected global health emergency, assuming that a ‘new New Urban Tourism’ will probably develop.