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.

Sharing economy spurs hotel investment in tech, loyalty programs
News / Technology
Sharing economy spurs hotel investment in tech, loyalty programs
By Mitra Sorrells | January 19, 2018
Competition from Airbnb, HomeAway and other sharing economy businesses that offer alternative accommodations is prompting hotels to beef up their marketing technology and loyalty programs.   Read More
Tech and the transforming vacation rental industry
Opinion / Online
Tech and the transforming vacation rental industry
By Steve Milo - VTrips | January 17, 2018
The vacation rental industry, a once sleepy and highly fragmented niche segment of travel, is rapidly being transformed from the “mom and pop” operations epitomized by T-shirts and flip-flops to slick... Read More
On China tourism, Ctrip latest and notable moves from other players
News / Distribution
On China tourism, Ctrip latest and notable moves from other players
By PhocusWire | January 15, 2018
For the past two weeks, ChinaTravelNews has been focusing on how Chinese tourists affect the travel sector, a series of Ctrip’s moves, and news of major players Meituan, Tencent and Airbnb. Player Read More
Research Spotlight: Airbnb looking back and forward
News / Online
Research Spotlight: Airbnb looking back and forward
By PhocusWire | January 12, 2018
Close to a decade since its foundation and $4.4 billion in funding later, Airbnb is one of the genuinely disruptive brands in the travel industry. Read More
CityStasher expansion funding
News / Startups
"Airbnb for luggage" expands in Europe following $1.1M funding
By Mitra Sorrells | January 11, 2018
London-based startup CityStasher, which describes itself as the “Airbnb for luggage,” has raised $1.1 million in seed funding. Read More
QOTW: Something about Airbnb's legal dilemmas
News / Online
QOTW: Something about Airbnb's legal dilemmas
By PhocusWire | January 5, 2018
Quote from Apartment Investment & Management Co. (Aimco)... Read More
airbnb lawsuit dismissed
News / Online
Lawsuit against Airbnb dismissed, but battle isn’t over
By Jill Menze | January 3, 2018
Although Airbnb is celebrating a victory over landlord company Apartment Investment & Management Co. in a lawsuit attempting to stop tenants from sharing spaces, the fight is still active. Read More
Airbnb Niido investment
News / Online
Niido - Airbnb-powered apartment complex - gets $200M investment
By Jill Menze | December 18, 2017
It might be possible for Airbnb and landlords to play nice after all, at least evidenced by Brookfield Property Partners’ plan to invest as much as $200 million in the Niido Powered by Airbnb... Read More
Google tweaks flights and hotels, introduces attractions and car rental
News / Online
Google tweaks flights and hotels, introduces attractions and car rental
By Jill Menze | December 15, 2017
Google has delivered several more knocks to its travel booking competitors with the launch of new features in its Flights, Trips and hotels search functions. Read More
CryptoBnB - the most zeitgeisty startup of 2017
News / Startups
CryptoBnB - the most zeitgeisty startup of 2017
By Jill Menze | December 13, 2017
Blockchain-based rental platform CryptoBnB aims to shake things up in the home-sharing market. Read More
VIDEO: Next generation on what excites them in travel tech
News / Startups
VIDEO: Next generation on what excites them in travel tech
By Kevin May | December 12, 2017
It's usually the people at the top of big companies that get all the attention, both in terms of events and announcements. Read More
evolution of airbnb
Opinion / Online
The evolution of the vacation rental market in Airbnb
By Amiad Soto - Guesty | December 12, 2017
In recent weeks, we have witnessed two significant moves by Airbnb that will have interesting implications on the international, short-term and vacation rental industry. Read More
Airbnb gets the UNWTO seal of approval for its sustainable tourism potential
News / Technology
Airbnb gets the UNWTO seal of approval for its sustainable tourism potential
By Martin Cowen | December 8, 2017
Friends in high places are always worth nurturing, especially for businesses the size of Airbnb. In travel, you don't get much higher than the secretary-general of the United Nations World Tourism Org Read More
Hotels should "adjust the model" in Airbnb battle
News / Online
Hotels should "adjust the model" in Airbnb battle
By Jill Menze | December 7, 2017
"Airbnb is coming for our kids," hospitality and nightclub legend Ian Schrager has cautioned the industry in a major speech this week. Read More
Tech rental ecosystem grows: MyVR lands $6.1M
News / Startups
Tech rental ecosystem grows: MyVR lands $6.1M
By Kevin May | December 6, 2017
MyVR is the latest company to capitalize on the emerging sub-network of services around providing services to private accommodation sellers. Read More
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