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-acquires-urbandoor
News / Online
Airbnb pads out corporate offering with Urbandoor acquisition
By Linda Fox | August 5, 2019
Airbnb has announced the acquisition of Urbandoor, a marketplace for furnished and serviced apartments. Read More
What owning the end-to-end traveler experience means for Airbnb for Work
News / Online
What owning the end-to-end traveler experience means for Airbnb for Work
By Jill Menze | August 2, 2019
As Airbnb endeavors to own the end-to-end experience for corporate travelers, is transforming into a full-fledged travel management company in the cards? Read More
shank-sam-hoteltonight-startups-2
News / Startups
Sam Shank's advice for startups after HotelTonight's "f*cking crazy" ride
By Jill Menze | July 23, 2019
Speaking during Phocuswright’s Battleground event, the CEO shared how HotelTonight fought through its toughest times as well as gave advice for startup founders currently navigating similar waters. Read More
fuel-leisure-vacation-planning
News / Online
Influential travel sites for booking not always the big players
By Linda Fox | July 19, 2019
Online travel agents might be spending billions on marketing yet very few make the cut when it comes to sites used to choose a hotel. Read More
airbnb-instant-book-2
News / Online
Airbnb reaches seven out of ten properties available for instant booking
By Kevin May | July 18, 2019
The figure is a sizeable jump from 2016, when just one in three of Airbnb's properties could be secured straight away. Read More
Airbnb says its estimated direct economic impact tops $100B
News / Online
Airbnb says its estimated direct economic impact tops $100B
By Jill Menze | July 1, 2019
Airbnb is reporting its guest community has generated more than $100 billion in estimated direct economic impact across 30 countries in one year. Read More
Airbnb rebrands top tier to Airbnb Luxe, adds dedicated concierge services
News / Online
Airbnb rebrands top tier to Airbnb Luxe, adds dedicated concierge services
By Mitra Sorrells | June 25, 2019
Airbnb is renaming its luxury tier of properties as Airbnb Luxe and is providing a dedicated concierge with each booking. Read More
Hotels need to embark on a new chapter - the digital one already written by Amazon
News / Online
Hotels need to embark on a new chapter - the digital one already written by Amazon
By Mitra Sorrells | June 19, 2019
Hotels can fend off threats from outside by adopting a retailing mindset and using tech that supports their model, rather than relying on outdated property management systems. Read More
sounding off 20 airbnb as ota
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: Another major OTA arriving is the least of the hospitality sector's worries
By PhocusWire | June 14, 2019
Understanding and meeting the changing customer is going to become the single most important investment that hotels and chains make in the years ahead, after asset improvements and other infrastructure... Read More
Airbnb gets into multiday tours game with launch of Airbnb Adventures
News / Online
Airbnb gets into multiday tours game with launch of Airbnb Adventures
By Jill Menze | June 13, 2019
The adventures, numbering more than 200 at the outset, are available either exclusively to Airbnb or provided by small local operators. Read More
online-travel-booking-yieldify
News / Online
Frustration with online travel booking continues as consumers consult more sites
By Linda Fox | June 13, 2019
The web was supposed to make booking travel easier, faster and more accessible - but the reality is somewhat different, according to research. Read More
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
Opinion / Online
What happens to rate parity when Airbnb is an online travel agency?
By Gino Engels - OTA Insight | June 11, 2019
As lines blur between platform and provider, there are some real questions around rate parity and price competitiveness in this brave new world. Read More
operto hardware
Opinion / Technology
IoT, asset management and transforming the short-term rental experience
By Michael Driedger - Operto | June 5, 2019
One of the greatest challenges for the international vacation and short-term rental industry today is providing a product with the level of consistency and standardization that guests increasingly... Read More
How Airbnb threatens to disrupt traditional hotel pricing strategies
News / Distribution
How Airbnb threatens to disrupt traditional hotel pricing strategies
By Jill Menze | June 4, 2019
A study pitted flexible-capacity Airbnb against the fixed-capacity lodging industry to uncover how the sharing economy has changed hospitality. Read More
Airbnb signs Shiji distribution deal to bolster China hotel strategy
News / Distribution
Airbnb signs Shiji distribution deal to bolster China hotel strategy
By Kevin May | May 28, 2019
Airbnb has another distribution partner to help bolster its hotel inventory. But this time it is aimed squarely at boosting its presence in China. Read More
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