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.

Tiqets receives €25 million loan to refinance
News / Online
Tiqets receives €25 million loan to refinance
By Abby Crotty | June 30, 2025
The loan from ABN AMRO bank will enable savings and flexibility for future growth, the online booking platform said. Read More
Tripadvisor execs on AI strategy, brand trust and memberships
News / Online
Tripadvisor execs on AI strategy, brand trust and memberships
By Abby Crotty | June 12, 2025
Tripadvisor Group CEO Matt Goldberg and new Viator president Pepijn Rijvers sat down to discuss the changing travel landscape and its evolving strategy. Read More
How AI is quietly transforming the vacation rental industry
News / Technology
How AI is quietly transforming the vacation rental industry
By Matthew Parsons | June 11, 2025
The vacation rental sector is working to optimize AI while also preparing for the next wave of innovation. Read More
The future is hybrid: Navigating the ‘length of stay’ challenge in STRs
Opinion / Online
The future is hybrid: Navigating the ‘length of stay’ challenge in STRs
By Shay Many - Guesty | June 10, 2025
Shay Many, senior director of product management at Guesty, highlights the need for a hybrid approach to LOS pricing. Read More
Does Airbnb’s ‘Services’ take unfair advantage of hosts?
News / Online
Does Airbnb’s ‘Services’ take unfair advantage of hosts?
By Morgan Hines | June 5, 2025
Industry experts have criticized Airbnb’s plan to allow travelers to book hotel-like services on hosts' properties without compensating those hosts. Read More
OTA marketing spend rose in Q1 2025
News / Online
OTA marketing spend rose in Q1 2025
By Linda Fox | June 3, 2025
As Airbnb, Booking Holdings, Expedia Group and Trip.com Group continue to up marketing spend, PhocusWire looks at what they're saying about these investments. Read More
Travel’s persistent cybersecurity problem, and why it could get worse
News / Online
Travel’s persistent cybersecurity problem, and why it could get worse
By Matthew Parsons | May 20, 2025
Rapid advances in travel technology and distribution are emboldening hackers and leading to more sophisticated attacks. Read More
Ancillaries in the vacation rentals sector: 'The new frontier'?
News / Distribution
Ancillaries in the vacation rentals sector: 'The new frontier'?
By Abby Crotty | May 19, 2025
Guests are looking for more from their vacations—what will it take for the STR sector to fully embrace alternative revenue streams? Read More
Airbnb adds catering, massages, personal training and more in new 'Services' business
News / Technology
Airbnb adds catering, massages, personal training and more in new 'Services' business
By Morgan Hines | May 13, 2025
The refreshed and new Airbnb categories come after the company said in February that it would spend up to $250 million on new lines of business in 2025. Read More
97% of STR hosts say tech is “critical” to success
News / Technology
97% of STR hosts say tech is “critical” to success
By Abby Crotty | May 12, 2025
Hospitable surveyed 566 short-term rental hosts across different management types, including self-managers, co-hosts and property managers.  Read More
Tripadvisor targets "high-intent traffic" through AI
News / Online
Tripadvisor targets "high-intent traffic" through AI
By Abby Crotty | May 7, 2025
The company, which owns the Tripadvisor brand, Viator and TheFork, reported a slight increase in revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025. Read More
Amid "uncertain" times, Airbnb reports mixed financial results
News / Online
Amid "uncertain" times, Airbnb reports mixed financial results
By Morgan Hines | May 1, 2025
Brian Chesky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, said the results show that “no matter what’s happening in the world,” people will continue to choose to use Airbnb. Read More
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Hopper, Amex and more...
News / Technology
PhocusWire's weekly travel tech news briefs: Airbnb, Hopper, Amex and more...
By PhocusWire | April 25, 2025
Keep up with all the latest people, partner and product news from around the global travel industry. Read More
Short-term rentals: A category at a crossroads
News / Online
Short-term rentals: A category at a crossroads
By Phocuswright Research | April 21, 2025
The short-term rental sector was once the pandemic-era darling—offering privacy, safety and space when travelers needed it most. Read More
HostAI becomes Conduit, raises $3.1M
News / Startups
HostAI becomes Conduit, raises $3.1M
By Morgan Hines | April 11, 2025
Conduit, which started out calling itself “Shopify for Travel,” has grown from a tool for automated guest messaging for STRs “into something much bigger.” Read More
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