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.

History of the Internet (and a few travel milestones) [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Online
History of the Internet (and a few travel milestones) [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Linda Fox | January 15, 2013
A couple of things standout in this AVG infographic, some perhaps more obvious than others Read More
The travel industry can be absurd, so don't add to the suck factor - do something crazy instead
News / Online
The travel industry can be absurd, so don't add to the suck factor - do something crazy instead
By Sarah Kennedy Ellis | January 9, 2013
It was like a breath of fresh air and a punch in the face all at the same time, if that’s possible. Read More
Travel startups: ditch the consumer traction and focus on data
News / Online
Travel startups: ditch the consumer traction and focus on data
By Alex Bainbridge | January 8, 2013
There has been plenty of digital inches written recently about the Series A crunch. Is it real? I don't know. Read More
LocalMind purchase next step on Airbnb's path to local domination
News / Online
LocalMind purchase next step on Airbnb's path to local domination
By Nick Vivion | December 17, 2012
Montreal-based Localmind has announced that it has been acquired by Airbnb last week, the second acquisition by Airbnb in 4 months demonstrating the company's continued pursuit of dominance in the local... Read More
Airbnb moving in to tours and activities? An obvious strategy to continue its disruptive model
News / Online
Airbnb moving in to tours and activities? An obvious strategy to continue its disruptive model
By Daniele Beccari | December 10, 2012
Airbnb, the most talked about travel startup of 2012, is taking a close look at adding local activities to run alongside the home booking service. Read More
How to kill Airbnb at its own game
News / Online
How to kill Airbnb at its own game
By Viewpoints | December 4, 2012
Airbnb is the darling poster child of the entire startup world right now. The company raised $200 million in its latest round, at a valuation of $2.5 billion. Read More
A new way to stay: Startup Stay connects galavanting entrepreneurs together with locals
News / Online
A new way to stay: Startup Stay connects galavanting entrepreneurs together with locals
By Nick Vivion | November 29, 2012
The idea is that like attracts like, and that both hosting and stay with other entrepreneurs can invigorate ideas, encourage connections, and facilitate cross-pollination across segments and industries. Read More
Come on, travel startups: Please innovate and stop replicating!
News / Online
Come on, travel startups: Please innovate and stop replicating!
By Viewpoints | November 19, 2012
The travel industry is flooded with venture capital investment. Millions of Dollars and Euros are poured into a multitude of travel startups all the time. Read More
Brian Chesky of Airbnb explains new consumption model, answers critics, takes a bow
News / Distribution
Brian Chesky of Airbnb explains new consumption model, answers critics, takes a bow
By Kevin May | November 16, 2012
Airbnb polarises opinion - on the one hand it's the tech disrupter many want to emulate, growing fast and apparently pushing north of a $1 billion valuation. Read More
A rough guide to eight big travel industry battles
News / Online
A rough guide to eight big travel industry battles
By Alex Bainbridge | November 13, 2012
To let you spend more time schmoozing (or sleeping), here is a wry take on what is often discussed in travel industry panel debates. Read More
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud hiccup takes down Airbnb, Foursquare, and other startups for hours
News / Online
Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud hiccup takes down Airbnb, Foursquare, and other startups for hours
By Sean O'Neil | October 22, 2012
Many digital companies, including travel startups like Airbnb and Foursquare have been knocked offline for hours during the business day today. Read More
CasaHop uses social graph to create trust in the home swap experience
News / Online
CasaHop uses social graph to create trust in the home swap experience
By Linda Fox | October 19, 2012
CasaHop is a home exchange platform which aims to put like-minded people in touch with each other via their social graph. Read More
Travelmob, Asia's version of Airbnb, passes Go, collects $1 million, and plots its future
News / Distribution
Travelmob, Asia's version of Airbnb, passes Go, collects $1 million, and plots its future
By Sean O'Neil | October 5, 2012
Travelmob is a peer-to-peer rental site for distinctive lodging in the Asia Pacific region. It's similar to US peer-to-peer accommodation site Airbnb, and has received $1 million in funding. Read More
Airbnb buys obscure Fondu app, may create printed city guidebooks
News / Online
Airbnb buys obscure Fondu app, may create printed city guidebooks
By Sean O'Neil | October 3, 2012
Financial terms of the transaction weren't disclosed for the purchase of the restaurant recommendation app. AIrbnb wants to distribute printed guides of what's worth seeing in major cities. Read More
HomeAway retires Holiday-Rentals brand, claims poor brand recognition
News / Online
HomeAway retires Holiday-Rentals brand, claims poor brand recognition
By Kevin May | September 26, 2012
Seven years after starting its aggressive expansion strategy outside of its US homeland, HomeAway is axing the brand of one of its first acquisitions, Holiday-Rentals. Read More
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