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.

Hostaway vacation rental system funding
News / Startups
Hostaway secures €700K to expand distribution tool for thriving rental market
By Mitra Sorrells | February 22, 2018
Helsinki, Finland-based Hostaway has raised €700,000 in funding to grow its vacation rental channel management solution.   Read More
in the big chair steve milo
Interview / Online
In The Big Chair - Steve Milo of VTrips
By Jill Menze | February 20, 2018
The founder and CEO of VTrips, Steve Milo has learned every aspect of the vacation rental industry, starting when he bought his first vacation home 15 years ago. Read More
airbnb-hotel-distribution-analysis
News / Distribution
Can Airbnb trigger a revolution in hotel distribution?
By Cesar Lopez - Mirai | February 20, 2018
Given the size of Airbnb, recent coverage of its potential to open up to hotel distribution has been well worth the fanfare. Read More
OTA Insight on Google and Airbnb
News / Distribution
Google, Airbnb and the evolving distribution landscape
By Mitra Sorrells | February 15, 2018
Airbnb and Google made notable announcements in the first week of February – the former opening its platform to hotel distribution and the latter rolling out updates to expand and simplify travel... Read More
New generation of business travellers demand new generation tech
From Our Partners / Technology
New generation of business travellers demand new generation tech
By Sponsored Content | February 14, 2018
This is a viewpoint from Dr Martin Buck, senior vice president for Messe Berlin GmbH. Travel technology has tremendously changed the way we travel, from sharing our photos on social media to voice Read More
quote of the week 9
News / Distribution
QOTW: Something about the beginning of a new battle
By PhocusWire | February 9, 2018
Quote from Airbnb in its plea to hotels. Read More
Expedia earnings: Cloud migration, supply expansion, and HomeAway
News / Distribution
Expedia earnings: Cloud migration, supply expansion, and HomeAway
By Nick Vivion | February 8, 2018
Earnings calls generally get interesting towards the end. While it's useful to hear how a business is doing, it's equally revealing to hear how executives respond to analyst questions. Outside of the Read More
Airbnb teams with SiteMinder to streamline bookings for boutique hotels and B&Bs
News / Distribution
Airbnb teams with SiteMinder to streamline bookings for boutique hotels and B&Bs
By Michele McDonald | February 8, 2018
Airbnb signed its first global hotel technology deal with SiteMinder, a provider of one of the top channel managers in the industry. The partnership will give traditional hospitality businesses – s Read More
Airbnb officially opens up platform to hotel distribution
News / Distribution
Airbnb officially opens up platform to hotel distribution
By Kevin May | February 7, 2018
Airbnb is to allow hotels and other accommodation providers to list on the site for the first time through an official third party distribution network. Read More
Not building walls - Airbnb forms tourism ties with Africa, El Salvador, Haiti
News / Distribution
Not building walls - Airbnb forms tourism ties with Africa, El Salvador, Haiti
By Linda Fox | February 6, 2018
When Donald Trump reportedly had a few choice words to describe a number of destinations recently, some companies, such as Airbnb, decided to get behind those places. Airbnb put not only its money Read More
Airbnb CFO out new COO named
News / Technology
Airbnb IPO ruled out for 2018, CFO departs
By Jill Menze | February 1, 2018
Just days after Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky outlined the company’s plans toward moving into the next century, it was announced that Laurence Tosi is stepping down from his position as chief financial... Read More
Rental tech providers Hostfully and Orbirental merge
News / Technology
Rental tech providers Hostfully and Orbirental merge
By Kevin May | January 31, 2018
Two vacation rental technology startups have agreed to combine companies, three years on from their inception in the U.S. Read More
Airbnb funnels $5M into Experiences arm
News / Online
Airbnb funnels $5M into Experiences arm
By Jill Menze | January 30, 2018
Airbnb is boosting its resources behind the company’s Experiences platform to the tune of $5 million. Read More
quote of the week
News / Online
QOTW: Something about an infinite plan
By PhocusWire | January 26, 2018
Quote from Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb. Read More
airbnb next 100 years
News / Technology
Airbnb CEO outlines plans for "22nd-century company"
By Jill Menze | January 25, 2018
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky today penned an open letter outlining his vision for the company’s next 100 years and announced American Express CEO Kenneth Chenault is joining the board of... Read More
The Phocuswright Conference 2026