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.

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
Rentals and SPACs spotlighted as Vacasa goes public at $4.4B valuation
News / Online
Rentals and SPACs spotlighted as Vacasa goes public at $4.4B valuation
By Mitra Sorrells | December 7, 2021
Vacasa CFO Jamie Cohen says the company has two priorities that will drive how it uses the new capital: adding supply and developing its technology and product. Read More
How rentals can prepare for and manage regulatory shifts
Opinion / Online
How rentals can prepare for and manage regulatory shifts
By Pamela Knudsen - Avalara | November 30, 2021
It's important that owners take a moment to understand new efforts to enforce marketplace legislation around lodging, lest they trip into the myriad of compliance-related potholes that are popping up... Read More
airbnb-nov-21-updates
News / Online
Airbnb updates add host protections, automatic translations
By Mitra Sorrells | November 10, 2021
The company says the more than 50 updates are based on input from hosts and guests and in response to changes brought on by the pandemic. Read More
Airbnb Q3 revenue tops $2.2B in record quarter
News / Online
Airbnb Q3 revenue tops $2.2B in record quarter
By Jill Menze | November 4, 2021
For the third quarter of 2021, Airbnb also reported its most profitable quarter ever with net income reaching $834 million. Read More
Short-term rentals have become inexorable
Opinion / Online
Short-term rentals have become inexorable
By Tom Caton - AirDNA | November 4, 2021
The dam has broken on short-term rentals becoming an asset class with fantastic returns available to all. Read More
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