As this festival of frivolity proceeds in the annual media silly season, it might be a surprise to the world that Melbourne beat Sydney at something! (“Melbourne a tourist trap”, 19/12). But that didn’t really happen. Airbnb has released data from its search engine, identifying how many potential patrons have been mindlessly massaging their key pads, wistfully pining for far-off locations that they had never been to before. Prior to flexing their muscles and poking their chest out like overstuffed turkeys ready for Xmas dinner, Melbournites must sober up. The data is nonsense. Most international travellers prefer catered accommodation rather than the rough and tumble of the Airbnb chaos. With many in the world already having visited Sydney, of course they would be curious about our little-known southern neighbour. This is a logical consequence of Sydney’s many successes in the past. One can only guess about how many meandering searches materialise into real bookings, but with the cost of living pressures mounting worldwide, I expect there might be some disappointment along the Yarra. Alan Sexton, Parramatta. 20Dec2023