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.

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
Airbnb goes large in London
News / Distribution
Airbnb goes large in London
By Linda Fox | November 11, 2015
Airbnb and the like were always going to be an attractive accommodation alternative in big cities where many travellers like the idea of a home-from-home experience. There have been various studies Read More
After years of trying, Airbnb to formally launch Experiences service
News / Distribution
After years of trying, Airbnb to formally launch Experiences service
By Kevin May | November 10, 2015
Airbnb is likely to go mainstream in the next few weeks on its attempts to expand the product into new areas: namely activities and things to do. The company has recently sent an email to hosts in Read More
Vive Unique rebrands to Veeve as it takes $5.2 million investment
News / Distribution
Vive Unique rebrands to Veeve as it takes $5.2 million investment
By Kevin May | November 9, 2015
London, UK-focused home sharing service Vive Unique will become Veeve following Smedvig Capital injection of $5.2 million. The Series A investment comes 18 months after an initial $5.2 million was Read More
Day after Proposition F victory, Airbnb CEO speaks [VIDEO]
News / Distribution
Day after Proposition F victory, Airbnb CEO speaks [VIDEO]
By Kevin May | November 6, 2015
The morning after the night before... Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, appeared at business leaders gathering hosted by Forbes in the US. The accommodation-sharing company was fresh off its win against Read More
How Expedia will help HomeAway battle Airbnb
News / Distribution
How Expedia will help HomeAway battle Airbnb
By Sean O'Neil | November 5, 2015
Today's Expedia Inc's acquisition of HomeAway, the vacation rental platform, for $3.9 billion (mostly in stock) could be understood as an alliance of mutual interest against Airbnb, the peer-to-peer s Read More
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