Airbnb has increased the tax it pays to French authorities significantly over the past few years. In an era where big tech pays little tax, Airbnb’s 'donation’ of €13.5 million in tourist taxes shrewdly positions the company as honest in a world accustomed to the Panama Papers.

As travellers both new and seasoned demand more unique experiences that they can boast about on their social feeds, some are opting for sustainable trips to offset their CO2 footprint and help communities abroad. How can tour operators facilitate this kind of responsible travel?

While foreign visitor numbers are on the decline in Barcelona due to fears of terrorism and political unrest in Catalonia, the national picture for tourism is a strong one, with more holidaymakers opting to venture beyond the traditional hot spots and head to the heartland instead.

“Sharing is caring,” states a TV spot from holiday home rental company HomeAway. “Or at least that’s what they told us.” Actually, the spot highlights the uglier side of sharing holiday amenities like pools or bathrooms. But can HomeAway dethrone Airbnb by undermining the sharing economy?