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.

Consolidation is now inevitable in ground transportation
News / Distribution
Consolidation is now inevitable in ground transportation
By Viewpoints | January 18, 2016
Changes in the hotel and accommodation industry are foreshadowing what is to come in ground transportation. Specifically, I expect 2016 to be a year of consolidation in the ground travel market. Read More
HomeAway takes aim at Airbnb in spiky new ad campaign
News / Online
HomeAway takes aim at Airbnb in spiky new ad campaign
By Kevin May | January 18, 2016
New year, new advertising campaign - nothing unusual in that, except this year the vacation rental giant HomeAway has a new owner as well. Two months after Expedia Inc splashed out $3.9 billion to Read More
Airbnb finding favour with German and Spanish travellers [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Distribution
Airbnb finding favour with German and Spanish travellers [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Martin Cowen | January 8, 2016
A snapshot of travel booking habits across Europe, carried out by marketing tech firm Rocket Fuel, has a few eyebrow-raising findings, specifically around the popularity of Airbnb. It said that "Tr Read More
Looking back and ahead -- the sharing economy goes big
News / Distribution
Looking back and ahead -- the sharing economy goes big
By Viewpoints | December 29, 2015
As we reach 2016, Tnooz is unveiling its customary series of reflections on the year behind us and what the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry might expect looking ahead. And, as always, we' Read More
Pivotal moments 2015 - When Expedia bought HomeAway
News
Pivotal moments 2015 - When Expedia bought HomeAway
By Kevin May | December 29, 2015
There is nothing new in the concept of "alternative accommodation" - but in 2015 it went mainstream in a big way. Although many of the major online travel agencies will never directly admit it (sim Read More
Looking back and ahead - vacation rentals in the mainstream
News / Distribution
Looking back and ahead - vacation rentals in the mainstream
By Viewpoints | December 21, 2015
As we reach 2016, Tnooz is unveiling its customary series of reflections on the year behind us and what the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry might expect looking ahead. And, as always, we' Read More
Lessons hoteliers can learn from Airbnb
News / Distribution
Lessons hoteliers can learn from Airbnb
By Viewpoints | December 21, 2015
Travellers have more choice and better rate transparency than ever when it comes to accommodation – thanks to the constant evolution of online distribution platforms – and hoteliers need to pay attent Read More
Homeaway joins Airbnb and TripAdvisor in debuting Apple TV apps
News / Technology
Homeaway joins Airbnb and TripAdvisor in debuting Apple TV apps
By Sean O'Neil | December 9, 2015
No hotel brand is there yet. No airline or OTA yet either. But Airbnb and TripAdvisor have debuted apps for Apple TV and now HomeAway has joined the trend. At this stage, the apps are pretty basic. Read More
Yup, Airbnb truly raised $1.5 billion
News
Yup, Airbnb truly raised $1.5 billion
By Sean O'Neil | December 7, 2015
Airbnb confirmed today in a US Securities and Exchange Commission filing that it made a $1,499,937,900 offering to unnamed investors this summer. The funding places a valuation on the San Francisco Read More
Airbnb axes third-party affiliate programme
News / Online
Airbnb axes third-party affiliate programme
By Kevin May | December 7, 2015
Airbnb is to terminate the affiliate internet programme it had in place for around 100 third-party websites. The scheme will end on 15 December and each participant was given a 15-day notice period Read More
Metasearch for vacation rentals gains momentum
News / Distribution
Metasearch for vacation rentals gains momentum
By Kevin May | November 26, 2015
As the online travel agency giants start taking vacation rentals extremely seriously it's hardly a surprise that metasearch engines are hoping they can also capitalise. And if this week is anything Read More
Consensual hallucination (or the state of investment in travel startups)
News
Consensual hallucination (or the state of investment in travel startups)
By Linda Fox | November 23, 2015
Here's the context: giants in the travel investment world, Joel Cutler and Priceline Group's Glenn Fogel, are on a panel discussing everything from unicorns, elevator pitches, exits and much in betwee Read More
Hostmaker raises $2 million to help Airbnb owners
News
Hostmaker raises $2 million to help Airbnb owners
By Kevin May | November 18, 2015
Hostmaker, one of a growing number of businesses created to support the Airbnb ecosystem, has secured $2 million in funding. The backers are Avala Capital and DSG Consumer Partners, led by DN Capit Read More
Airbnb becomes even more like a hotel - does revenue management for hosts
News / Distribution
Airbnb becomes even more like a hotel - does revenue management for hosts
By Kevin May | November 13, 2015
Two important announcements at the love-in for hosts put on by Airbnb in the French capital this week - both with implications for the rest of the industry. First of all was the formal launch of th Read More
Airbnb gets conciliatory toward cities with new pledge
News / Online
Airbnb gets conciliatory toward cities with new pledge
By Sean O'Neil | November 11, 2015
Airbnb released a "community compact" today, promising to work more closely with municipalities, regulators, and communities. CEO Brian Chesky wrote a company's blog on the topic as well, summarizi Read More
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