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.

Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
Opinion / Online
Reality check: Airbnb still has a long way to go after HotelTonight deal
By Max Starkov - HEBS Digital | March 12, 2019
The hoopla over the Airbnb purchase of HotelTonight needs further analysis, with more challenges than opportunities ahead for the new owner if it wants to become an OTA. Read More
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
News / Online
Airbnb-HotelTonight - a deal at the right time for both
By Kevin May | March 11, 2019
Three experts covering the accommodation sector share their reaction to the deal by Airbnb to buy online travel agency HotelTonight. Read More
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
News / Online
Airbnb to acquire online travel agency HotelTonight
By Kevin May | March 7, 2019
The deal for the OTA gives it the chance to "accelerate our work to build an end-to-end travel platform that serves everyone." Read More
Q&A: Airbnb China president on growing the business, regulators, targeting millennials
Interview / Online
Q&A: Airbnb China president on growing the business, regulators, targeting millennials
By Jill Menze | March 1, 2019
In one of his first interviews since he was appointed president in July, Tao Peng lays out his vision for Airbnb China in this extensive conversation. Read More
Home-sharing is ready to write its second chapter
News / Distribution
Home-sharing is ready to write its second chapter
By Christina Jelski - Travel Weekly | February 18, 2019
Startups are mounting fresh challenges to both traditional hotels, whose forays into the home-rental space have met with mixed results, and to a maturing Airbnb, which is showing signs of evolving its... Read More
airbnb-transportation-fred-reid
News / Online
Airbnb hires airline veteran Fred Reid to oversee "transportation", but rules out obvious options
By Kevin May | February 7, 2019
The seasoned airline exec - Virgin America, Lufthansa, American Airlines and Delta - becomes the company's global head of transportation. Read More
Sounding Off: Airbnb should accept that some things are done certain ways
Interview / Distribution
Sounding Off: Airbnb should accept that some things are done certain ways
By PhocusWire | February 1, 2019
The dull mechanics behind what is known as process shouldn't be allowed to prohibit a brand such as Airbnb from making a genuine challenge to OTAs. Read More
Why Airbnb must avoid the tech trap OTAs fell into for years
Opinion / Distribution
Why Airbnb must avoid the tech trap OTAs fell into for years
By Craig Stewart - Freetobook | January 29, 2019
Airbnb's much-lauded move into hotel distribution has been a welcome addition to the hotel ecosystem - but it should beware of age-old pitfalls. Read More
Gaest acquired as Airbnb bolsters unit for meetings and company services
News / Online
Gaest acquired as Airbnb bolsters unit for meetings and company services
By Kevin May | January 28, 2019
Danish startup Gaest is a booking tool for interview rooms, teambuilding spaces, corporate events - an area that Airbnb has been concentrating on during 2018. Read More
Airbnb and hotel distribution - (almost) one year in
News / Online
Airbnb and hotel distribution - (almost) one year in
By Jill Menze | January 23, 2019
As the Airbnb and SiteMinder deal nears its one-year anniversary, here's an update on how the platform's hotels business is faring. Read More
PhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018
News / Online
PhocusWire's newsmakers of the year 2018
By Kevin May | December 17, 2018
The profile of a brand in travel - and the perception of it from consumers and industry peers - is mostly generated over the course of certain events or a period of time. Read More
Airbnb boosts hotel visibility with homepage refresh, new filter
News / Online
Airbnb boosts hotel visibility with homepage refresh, new filter
By Jill Menze | December 14, 2018
Airbnb is pushing its hotels business by featuring a “Boutique Hotels” category on its homepage and by including hotels in its space type filter. Read More
Gaps remain in vacation rental tech sector as managers seek more from systems
News / Technology
Gaps remain in vacation rental tech sector as managers seek more from systems
By Linda Fox | December 14, 2018
Vacation rental property managers want to offer more services that are currently not integrated within the technologies they use. Read More
Who holds the best hand in the battle for tours, activities and experiences?
Opinion / Online
Who holds the best hand in the battle for tours, activities and experiences?
By Joost Schreve - KimKim | December 13, 2018
Four of the biggest players - TripAdvisor, Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia - are approaching the tours, activities and experiences category from angles that leverage their respective strengths. Here's... Read More
technically speaking airbnb
Interview / Online
Technically Speaking - Ari Balogh of Airbnb
By Jill Menze | December 6, 2018
Ari Balogh comes to Airbnb from Google and is charged with leading infrastructure, information IT and security and engineering for payments, trust and community support as CTO. Read More
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