Probe into Airbnbs used as pop-up brothels
Prostitutes are turning Airbnb properties into pop-up brothels, according to an investigation by BBC South East.
One sex worker told journalists that Airbnbs were ‘cheap and accessible’ and available with ‘just a few clicks’.
She said prostitutes opted for short-term rentals because they were cheaper than renting permanent accommodation and they could avoid rousing the suspicions of their neighbours.
Airbnb released a statement to the BBC saying that it did not condone such behaviour.
While it isn’t against the law to buy or sell sex in the UK, brothels housing more than one sex worker are illegal, yet prostitutes often share accommodation for safety.
A group of MPs has launched an urgent inquiry into pop-up brothels and an all-party parliamentary group’s (APPG) report is due to be published early in the new year.
The inquiry was triggered by growing reports of organised crime groups establishing pop-up brothels to sexually exploit woman, and the APPG is gathering evidence on the scale of the practice, who is involved, and what should be done.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports