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.

VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
News / Online
VIDEO: Airbnb plays down competition, says it welcomes new entries into home-sharing
By Jill Menze | May 16, 2019
Speaking at Phocuswright Europe, Airbnb managing director of EMEA Jeroen Merchiers claimed: “We’re not obsessed with any individual company.” Read More
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
News / Online
Airbnb on being smart, technology and standing up for sustainable travel
By Linda Fox | May 9, 2019
In Igualada, a small town near Barcelona, Airbnb held its first New Destinations Summit - an event about building sustainable tourism in locations with few hotels. Read More
Jeroen Merchiers phocuswright europe green room
Interview / Online
In the green room at Phocuswright Europe with... Jeroen Merchiers
By PhocusWire | May 7, 2019
In a series of interviews with executives participating at the event in Amsterdam in May, PhocusWire finds out what makes them tick. Next up: Airbnb's Jeroen Merchiers... Read More
Airbnb RXR develop luxury NYC rentals
News / Online
Airbnb will convert commercial properties into luxury rentals
By Mitra Sorrells | April 30, 2019
Airbnb is partnering with New York-based RXR Realty to create 200 luxury rentals in a Midtown Manhattan commercial high-rise. Read More
Rentals United adds $4.25M in funding to boost technology platform
News / Distribution
Rentals United adds $4.25M in funding to boost technology platform
By Linda Fox | April 26, 2019
The capital comes from Stella EOC Capital and Howzat Partners, with existing investors also participating in the round. Read More
email-marketing-transactions-travel-2
Opinion / Online
Transactional emails in travel: The good, the bad and the ugly
By Matt Harris - Dyspatch | April 19, 2019
Once consumers have booked a trip, the likelihood of receiving a really bad transactional email at some point between booking and departure is far too high.  Read More
lyric investment
News / Online
Airbnb leads $160M investment in hospitality platform Lyric
By Jill Menze | April 17, 2019
The Series B round will allow the San Francisco-based company to expand its relationships with local real estate developers. Read More
GuestReady acquires BnbLord
News / Online
More expansion for GuestReady with acquisition of competitor BnbLord
By Mitra Sorrells | April 11, 2019
European Airbnb property management company GuestReady has grown its property count to 2,000 with the acquisition of BnbLord, a Paris-based competitor. Read More
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
News / Online
Booking.com speaks out on its private accommodation ambitions
By Jill Menze | April 9, 2019
Amid its ongoing rivalry with Airbnb, Booking.com explains how it hopes to differentiate its alternative accommodations product. Read More
Airbnb confirms investment in Indian hospitality brand OYO
News / Online
Airbnb confirms investment in Indian hospitality brand OYO
By Jill Menze | April 1, 2019
The rumors are confirmed, and the deal is estimated between $100 million and $200 million. Read More
Airbnb counts half a billion guest arrivals, host earnings at $65B
News / Online
Airbnb counts half a billion guest arrivals, host earnings at $65B
By Jill Menze | March 27, 2019
More than 500,000 guests have stayed at Airbnb properties around the globe, the company reports, with three guests checking into listings every half-second. Read More
Google hotel search vacation rentals
News / Distribution
Google pushes further into private accommodations, rolls out vacation rentals search worldwide
By Mitra Sorrells | March 26, 2019
Google is adding vacation rental listings from the likes of Expedia Group and TripAdvisor to its Hotel Search platform. Read More
plum guide funding
News / Startups
The Plum Guide nabs £14M to expand curated vacation rentals platform to more cities
By Jill Menze | March 21, 2019
The "Michelin Guide for vacation rentals" plans to have 12,000 verified homes across its network by the end of 2019. Read More
Sounding Off: The dilemmas that face growing companies
Interview / Online
Sounding Off: The dilemmas that face growing companies
By PhocusWire | March 15, 2019
The long road ahead of Airbnb after its HotelTonight acquisition is a familiar one that many brands experience as they push the button to accelerate the business. Read More
booking-holdings-merrill-lynch
News / Distribution
Home is where the growth is as Booking.com invests in brand and tech
By Linda Fox | March 13, 2019
Booking Holdings CEO Glenn Fogel on growth in alternative accommodation and brand awareness. Read More
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