Airbnb News and Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb continues to be a major force in the travel industry, redefining how people book and experience accommodations worldwide. At PhocusWire, we bring you the latest Airbnb news, along with broader coverage of the short-term rental sector, including platform innovation, market trends, and regulatory developments that shape this fast-moving space.

Updates on Airbnb, short-term rental trends, and regulatory shifts

Track how Airbnb is evolving its product offerings, enhancing guest and host tools, and adapting to consumer demand for more flexible, immersive travel. Our stories examine the intersection of tech innovation, policy, and platform strategy—providing insight into how short-term rentals continue to influence the broader hospitality landscape.

Airbnb is shutting its China business
News / Online
Airbnb is shutting its China business
By Jill Menze | May 24, 2022
Airbnb will remove its Chinese listings this summer due to "costly and complex" operations. Read More
airbnb-may-22-updates
News / Online
Airbnb enables “split stays” to ease inventory woes
By Mitra Sorrells | May 11, 2022
"Split stays" are part of Airbnb's newest version of its platform, described as “the biggest change to Airbnb in a decade.”   Read More
One in five Airbnb stays over 28 days, revenue hits $1.5B for Q1 2022
News / Online
One in five Airbnb stays over 28 days, revenue hits $1.5B for Q1 2022
By Kevin May | May 3, 2022
The U.S.-based home-sharing and alternative accommodation giant saw revenue increase by 70% year-over-year and 80% higher than corresponding quarter in 2019 ($839 million). Read More
Short-term rental industry must do a better job vetting travelers
Opinion / Online
Short-term rental industry must do a better job vetting travelers
By Carl Shepherd | April 25, 2022
The co-founder of HomeAway says, with property owners becoming farther removed from those renting their properties, a new, stronger system is needed to minimize the chance of tragedy. Read More
winding-tree-dtravel-new-systems
News / Distribution
New booking systems signal next step for blockchain
By Mitra Sorrells | April 19, 2022
In notable advancement for blockchain, two new systems are enabling travelers to book hotels and rentals. Read More
similarweb-april-2022
News / Distribution
Online activity shows growing recovery for travel
By Mitra Sorrells | April 12, 2022
An analysis by Similarweb shows visits to airline and hospitality websites are up as consumers act on their desire to travel.   Read More
Online travel giants ramped up marketing spend in 2021
News / Online
Online travel giants ramped up marketing spend in 2021
By Kevin May | March 30, 2022
The amounts being splashed out on various forms of advertising activity are not at the same levels of 2019, understandably, but the tried and trusted methods are back in vogue. Read More
Hopper outperformed all other OTA apps in 2021
News / Online
Hopper outperformed all other OTA apps in 2021
By Jill Menze | March 25, 2022
According to a report from Apptopia, Hopper grew 494% in 2021, overtaking Airbnb as the leader in market share by monthly active users. Read More
Airbnb "closely evaluating" new host applications in Ukraine
News / Online
Airbnb "closely evaluating" new host applications in Ukraine
By Mitra Sorrells | March 9, 2022
With at least $2 million already paid to hosts of properties in Ukraine via Airbnb, the company says it is evaluating inquiries from new hosts more closely than it normally would. Read More
The Host Co. snags $1.85M to make Airbnbs shoppable
News / Startups
The Host Co. snags $1.85M to make Airbnbs shoppable
By Jill Menze | March 3, 2022
Founded in 2020, the Host Co. enables short-term rental hosts to sell items in their properties.   Read More
The most used booking platforms for short-term rentals and what makes them attractive
News / Online
The most used booking platforms for short-term rentals and what makes them attractive
By Phocuswright Research | March 2, 2022
Over the past several years, travel distribution players have scrambled to add short-term rental properties and content, all vying for their share of the growing rental market. Read More
Airbnb ends 2021 with 25% revenue growth over 2019
News / Online
Airbnb ends 2021 with 25% revenue growth over 2019
By Jill Menze | February 15, 2022
Despite the continued effects of the pandemic, Airbnb posted record Q4 numbers and said 2021 was the best year in its history. Read More
Challenges remain but progress emerges in vacation rental governance
News / Distribution
Challenges remain but progress emerges in vacation rental governance
By Kevin May | January 27, 2022
The Wild West days of short-term rental owners battling with local authorities might be subsiding, according to a new study from Rent Responsibly. Read More
2021 was best year ever for short-term rentals
News / Online
2021 was best year ever for short-term rentals
By Jill Menze | January 24, 2022
According to AirDNA research, 2022 is on track to outpace 2021 bookings by 88%. Read More
European regulators poised for rental rules shake-up
News / Online
European regulators poised for rental rules shake-up
By Linda Fox | December 15, 2021
The aim of the Commission's initiative is the development of “responsible, fair and trusted growth in short-term rentals” as part of wider tourism ecosystem, with Europe-wide rules to be put in place. Read More
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