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-trust-experiences
News / Online
Airbnb adds checks and balances to Experiences in bid to boost trust
By Linda Fox | November 18, 2019
Further to recently announced initiatives to verify hosts and homes, Airbnb is also planning "trust" upgrades to its Experiences product. Read More
airbnb-property-verification-safety-announcements
News / Online
Airbnb says it will verify all listings, add other safety steps on heels of shooting
By Mitra Sorrells | November 6, 2019
Airbnb will verify every listing on the platform and add other security measures in the wake of a shooting at an Airbnb rental that left five people dead. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Outside forces may correct travel startup growth
News / Startups
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Outside forces may correct travel startup growth
By PhocusWire | November 1, 2019
The figures are extraordinary, in many respects - there was a 55% increase year-over-year ($5.7 billion) in the amount of money going into travel startups. Read More
airbnb-tiqets-investment-2
News / Online
Airbnb leads $60M investment in attraction bookings brand Tiqets
By Kevin May | October 29, 2019
Created in 2014, CEO and co-founder Luuc Elzinga has led the company through a number of investments, including a $23 million Series B almost 12 months ago to the day. Read More
The search for genuine "disruption" in the travel industry
Opinion / Startups
The search for genuine "disruption" in the travel industry
By Peter Matthews - Nucleus | October 24, 2019
Now traditional business models have been turned on their heads by the likes of Uber, Airbnb, Amazon and Google there is a tendency for many brands to believe they need to roll up their sleeves and face... Read More
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Sam Shank
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright with... Sam Shank
By PhocusWire | October 21, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Florida in November, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick... Next up: Sam Shank of HotelTonight/Airbnb. Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Hospitality in a perfect storm
News / Distribution
The Phocuswright Conference 2019 preview - Hospitality in a perfect storm
By PhocusWire | October 18, 2019
Anyone - hotels, private accommodation, system providers - who thought the hospitality sector was immune from fundamental change should think again. Read More
The Future Of Travel Experience: A view from mega-investor Andreessen Horowitz
Interview / Startups
The Future Of Travel Experience: A view from mega-investor Andreessen Horowitz
By Jeff Katz - Journera | October 8, 2019
Jeff Katz talks to one of the biggest names in venture capital and a major investor in travel companies: Jeff Jordan, the managing partner of Andreessen Horowitz and ex-CEO of OpenTable. Read More
Airbnb says it will IPO in 2020
News / Online
Airbnb says it will IPO in 2020
By Kevin May | September 19, 2019
A listing of Airbnb on the public markets will, following those for Uber and Lyft during 2019, be one of the most eagerly awaited IPOs in the travel industry in years. Read More
Airbnb 25m investment affordable housing and small biz
News / Online
Airbnb will invest $25M in affordable housing and small businesses
By Mitra Sorrells | September 19, 2019
Airbnb is investing $25 million in affordable housing and small businesses in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Read More
Lavanda houses $5M capital raise as real estate and hospitality get closer
News / Technology
Lavanda houses $5M capital raise as real estate and hospitality get closer
By Kevin May | September 17, 2019
The U.K.-based company had previously raised two angels tranches in the $1.5 million range in 2016 and 2017. Read More
Doug Lansky on destination management
News / Online
Q&A: Doug Lansky on "unbalanced" tourism and tech's role in destination management
By Mitra Sorrells | September 17, 2019
Author and speaker Doug Lansky says a digital infrastructure will enable destinations to manage visitor volume and timing. Read More
Holidu raises €40M to target new markets and boost Bookiply distribution platform
News / Online
Holidu raises €40M to target new markets and boost Bookiply distribution platform
By Kevin May | September 17, 2019
The round eclipses the $20 million brought in by HomeToGo in April 2016 and the $35 million for the ill-fated Tripping in the same year. Read More
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
Opinion / Distribution
What’s next for Google’s expansion into vacation rentals?
By James Burrows - Rentals United | August 16, 2019
With Google entering the vacation rental market, what future developments could impact direct bookings, guest experience, customer ownership and the current ecosystem? Read More
Four online travel agency myths to stop believing now
Opinion / Online
Four online travel agency myths to stop believing now
By Peter O’Connor - Essec Business School | August 8, 2019
OTAs suffer from some image problems amongst many hoteliers, often due to misconceptions or misinformation about how they work. So, let's bust some myths. Read More
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