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.

Unraveling COVID-19 hygiene liability issues for short-term rentals
News / Online
Unraveling COVID-19 hygiene liability issues for short-term rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | June 11, 2020
Due to COVID-19, cleanliness and hygiene are priorities for all consumer travel providers, but it is particularly complex in the fragmented short-term rental sector. Read More
national-tourism-portals
News / Distribution
Should national tourism portals be part of travel's recovery plan?
By Linda Fox | June 8, 2020
Many attempts to provide national tourism portals have fallen short in the past, some still believe they can succeed. Read More
airdna-booking-surge
News / Online
Global vacation rental bookings surge to more than 2M, up 127% from early April
By Mitra Sorrells | May 28, 2020
After a low of just 916,000 bookings in early April, AirDNA finds there has been a fairly steady increase in markets around the globe. Read More
People are staying longer in Airbnbs - for now
News / Online
People are staying longer in Airbnbs - for now
By Jill Menze | May 20, 2020
According to data from AllTheRooms Analytics, longer-term stays in Airbnbs are on the rise, but the trend may only last as long as the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
Travel startups look to find new stars among the industry-wide layoffs
News / Startups
Travel startups look to find new stars among the industry-wide layoffs
By Linda Fox | May 18, 2020
The headlines are full of layoffs, furloughs and hiring freezes across the travel and hospitality industry, as companies take steps to survive the coronavirus crisis. Read More
Sounding Off: There is no single metric for success right now (there are many)
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: There is no single metric for success right now (there are many)
By PhocusWire | May 8, 2020
The industry is not going through such straightforward times as those when the success metric to use was market share. So it's time to think deeper and wider. Read More
travel-coronavirus-stuck-middle
News / Distribution
InPhocus, episode 9 - Stuck in the middle with you
By PhocusWire | May 7, 2020
We discuss how brands that sit between consumers and suppliers have been dealt with a number of issues relating to cash flow and appeasing their commercial partners during the coronavirus outbreak. Read More
conley-plug-and-play-keynote
News / Online
Airbnb advisor Chip Conley on leadership, liquidity and opportunities in a post-COVID travel industry
By Mitra Sorrells | May 7, 2020
The advisor to Airbnb shared his advice for travel leaders and entrepreneurs during an online event hosted by Plug and Play Tech Center. Read More
airbnb coronavirus layoffs
News / Online
Airbnb lays off 25% of staff, cuts back investment in hotels, transportation
By Jill Menze | May 5, 2020
As a result of the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, Airbnb is eliminating 1,900 jobs and cutting investment across business units. Read More
Sounding Off: The right strategy can alter a brand's course
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The right strategy can alter a brand's course
By PhocusWire | April 17, 2020
A critical element for Airbnb will be how it demonstrates to its hosts that they are still special and are not just the supply chain in the same way that property owners are for countless other... Read More
airbnb-loan-one-billion-dollars
News / Online
Airbnb takes further COVID-19 protection measures with $1B loan
By Kevin May | April 15, 2020
The support comes just a week after it announced a funding round - a combination or debt and equity securities - from Silver Lake and Sixth Street Partners, also to the tune of $1 billion. Read More
For alternative accommodations, it's out with short-term, in with long-term
News / Distribution
For alternative accommodations, it's out with short-term, in with long-term
By Jill Menze | April 14, 2020
As accommodation bookings take a hit due to the COVID-19 outbreak, many providers in the short-term rental industry are pivoting their models to focus on longer-term stays. Read More
Tripadvisor, Airbnb and many others switch to virtual tours and activities
News / Online
Tripadvisor, Airbnb and many others switch to virtual tours and activities
By Kevin May | April 13, 2020
As demand for tours and activities has fallen away to almost nothing in many countries around the world, a string of brands are putting their efforts into temporarily digitizing their products. Read More
Airbnb decides to ban bookings in the U.K. after all
News / Online
Airbnb decides to ban bookings in the U.K. after all
By Kevin May | April 9, 2020
Airbnb has temporarily halted bookings on the platform in the U.K., except for key workers and those with "essential stays." Read More
Airbnb hopes hosts will turn away guests who shouldn't be traveling during coronavirus outbreak
News / Online
Airbnb hopes hosts will turn away guests who shouldn't be traveling during coronavirus outbreak
By Kevin May | April 8, 2020
The company has so far shied away from turning off the ability to book completely, despite many countries around the world having locked down citizens during the outbreak of the coronavirus. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026