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.

Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2018?
News / Online
Travel Tech Flashback: What made headlines in 2018?
By Linda Fox | August 19, 2025
Take a look back at some of the headlines in the travel industry from 2018. Do they any bearing on what's happening now? Read More
Airbnb launches ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’ option
News / Technology
Airbnb launches ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’ option
By Morgan Hines | August 14, 2025
The short-term rental community voiced concern about the tool’s impact on cancellations, but Airbnb does not appear not concerned. Read More
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
News / Online
Airbnb reports high customer satisfaction with Services, Experiences
By Abby Crotty | August 6, 2025
The short-term rental giant said the response has been “overwhelmingly positive,” with experiences and services receiving higher ratings than homes. Read More
The hidden climate cost of booking travel—And how to fix it
Opinion / Online
The hidden climate cost of booking travel—And how to fix it
By Rasmus Juul-Olsen - Bookmundi | August 4, 2025
As the planet nears key climate tipping points, Bookmundi CEO Rasmus Juul-Olsen stresses the need for the travel industry to act. Read More
The AI hiring race: How the travel industry can compete
News / Technology
The AI hiring race: How the travel industry can compete
By Morgan Hines | July 24, 2025
Industry leaders weigh in on how travel companies can attract AI talent to compete with the tech space, which often incentivizes new hires. Read More
Headwinds and tailwinds impacting the European rentals landscape
News / Online
Headwinds and tailwinds impacting the European rentals landscape
By Linda Fox | July 18, 2025
Executives from Airbnb and HomeToGo discussed the professionalization of rentals as well as the potential to turn regulations into an opportunity at Phocuswright Europe 2025. Read More
European hotels rebuff Airbnb's overtourism claims
News / Online
European hotels rebuff Airbnb's overtourism claims
By Mark Frary | July 17, 2025
Airbnb alleges that hotels are to blame for overtourism in Europe, but hotels say that's not the case. Read More
How the tourism industry can manage attractions overcrowding
News / Online
How the tourism industry can manage attractions overcrowding
By Marisa Garcia | July 1, 2025
Cities, operators and policymakers must reconsider ticket sales, who gets access and what fair visitation looks like as post-pandemic tourism rises. Read More
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
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