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.

Booking Holdings boss talks pressure on hotels and the private accommodation trend
News / Distribution
Booking Holdings boss talks pressure on hotels and the private accommodation trend
By Linda Fox | November 20, 2020
Glenn Fogel discusses how changes in the lodging market could be beneficial to large distributors - meaning hotels could face an uphill battle ahead. Read More
booking-cleanliness-core
News / Distribution
Booking.com now requires rental properties to meet minimal cleanliness score
By Mitra Sorrells | November 19, 2020
Properties that do not have an average score of at least six out of 10 by May will be removed from the Booking.com platform. Read More
"Perfect timing" - Travel industry reacts to Airbnb's IPO filing
News / Online
"Perfect timing" - Travel industry reacts to Airbnb's IPO filing
By Jill Menze | November 18, 2020
With Airbnb filing for its long-awaited initial public offering, experts weigh in on what it means for the travel industry. Read More
Airbnb's IPO registration shows it's ready to join the big leagues
News / Online
Airbnb's IPO registration shows it's ready to join the big leagues
By Kevin May | November 17, 2020
On the eve of its debut on the public markets, documents filed this week indicate that it is ready move in comfortably alongside the likes of Expedia Group and Booking Holdings. Read More
online-travel-digital-gatekeepers
News / Online
Online travel platforms dispute "gatekeeper" claims as Europe readies digital legislation
By Linda Fox | November 11, 2020
Proposals for new European digital legislation in Europe could include online travel players such as Airbnb and Booking.com. Read More
How Airbnb has resisted the pandemic, adapted to new demands
News / Online
How Airbnb has resisted the pandemic, adapted to new demands
By Kevin May | November 4, 2020
Data shows where Airbnb sits in the wider accommodation ecosystem, as brands attempt to form some basis of recovery. Read More
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: It's a period of reckoning for hotels
News / Distribution
Phocuswright Conference 2020 Preview: It's a period of reckoning for hotels
By Kevin May | October 27, 2020
The pre-pandemic fierce yet healthy competition between hotels and rentals for the leisure traveler is now more acute than it has ever been. It's going to be a tough ride ahead. Read More
Domio co-founders resign following Airbnb review
News / Online
Domio co-founders resign following Airbnb review
By Donna M. Airoldi - BTN | September 29, 2020
Airbnb will reinstate Domio's listings on the platform following the resignation of co-founders CEO Jay Roberts and chief strategy officer Adrian Lam. Read More
Debut pitch decks from Uber and Airbnb - everyone started somewhere
News / Online
Debut pitch decks from Uber and Airbnb - everyone started somewhere
By Kevin May | September 28, 2020
Like all startups, Airbnb and Uber had to persuade partners and investors to support their ideas with finance and agreements. So how did they do it? Read More
airbnb-new-cancellation-policy
News / Online
Airbnb makes big changes to its cancellation policy, eliminating certain guest protections
By Mitra Sorrells | September 24, 2020
The new policy, developed with input from hosts, eliminates many personal situations such as illness from coverage but adds coverage for pandemics and natural disasters. Read More
airbnb-city-portal
News / Online
Airbnb launches new portal with resources for governments, tourism organizations
By Mitra Sorrells | September 24, 2020
Airbnb says it has created the new "City Portal" to help communities benefit from its marketplace. Read More
Booking.com introduces longer-stay rates
News / Online
Booking.com introduces longer-stay rates
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | September 22, 2020
The move is largely designed to bolster Booking.com's homes and apartments business, which has accounted for a growing share of the brand's bookings mid-pandemic. Read More
Airbnb courts digital nomads as it continues push for long-term stays
News / Online
Airbnb courts digital nomads as it continues push for long-term stays
By Jill Menze | September 21, 2020
Airbnb says the home-share company is seeing an increase in digital nomads booking long-term stays as well as in hosts offering those types of stays. Read More
Holidu raises new €5M investment, backed by a former Booking.com boss
News / Online
Holidu raises new €5M investment, backed by a former Booking.com boss
By Kevin May | September 21, 2020
Booking.com's former CEO, Kees Koolen, has put forward €4 million of his own money into the top-up round, alongside other, unnamed investors. Read More
Airbnb will get to its long-awaited IPO with a spring in its step
Opinion / Online
Airbnb will get to its long-awaited IPO with a spring in its step
By Steven Jankowski - AllTheRooms | September 17, 2020
Higher volumes of short-term rental bookings have allowed Airbnb to get its IPO plans back on track. Read More
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