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.

Can a road-tripper make his way around the US on $11-a-day using social media sites?
News / Online
Can a road-tripper make his way around the US on $11-a-day using social media sites?
By Viewpoints | September 25, 2012
If the internet made the world into a community, social media is making it into a family. Complete strangers can catch a ride, bum a bed, and meet up for dinner. Read More
Startup entrepreneurship - the rose-tinted spectacles version? [VIDEO]
News / Online
Startup entrepreneurship - the rose-tinted spectacles version? [VIDEO]
By Kevin May | August 23, 2012
Coming up with the idea for a company can be easy, but starting and running it is far from the glamorous life which the Siliconites might have everyone believe. Read More
From not-for-profit to investment bucket in 12 months - CouchSurfing takes $15M in latest injection
News / Online
From not-for-profit to investment bucket in 12 months - CouchSurfing takes $15M in latest injection
By Kevin May | August 22, 2012
CouchSurfing was once a fine example of how a web brand could capture a market without feeling the need to make heady revenues and kowtow to the needs of its backers. Read More
Julian Assange used Airbnb to find his Ecuador Embassy home in London - maybe
News / Online
Julian Assange used Airbnb to find his Ecuador Embassy home in London - maybe
By Kevin May | August 20, 2012
Such is the circus surrounding the stand-off between Wikileaks frontman Julian Assange and the UK, Swedish and US authorities that it was only a matter of time before the jokes started. Read More
9Flats buys iStopOver, targets home turf of Airbnb
News / Online
9Flats buys iStopOver, targets home turf of Airbnb
By Kevin May | August 7, 2012
Consolidation in the world of private rental marketplaces as European startup 9Flats acquires North America specialist iStopover. Read More
What are the best cities around the world for travel tech startups?
News
What are the best cities around the world for travel tech startups?
By Sean O'Neil | July 5, 2012
Choosing a city to base your travel tech startup can be tough. You want plenty of smart developers as a talent pool. You also want affordable rental space. Read More
Airbnb makes ultimate use of celebrity status (and Twitter celebs) with Wish List launch
News / Online
Airbnb makes ultimate use of celebrity status (and Twitter celebs) with Wish List launch
By Kevin May | June 28, 2012
Love it or hate it, Airbnb knows how to play on its position as the Silicon Valley love child everyone secretly wishes they had helped bring into the world. Read More
OneFineStay raises $12M, plots move into US and elsewhere
News / Distribution
OneFineStay raises $12M, plots move into US and elsewhere
By Kevin May | June 19, 2012
More significant sums of money heading into the home rental marketplace with news that UK-based OneFineStay has captured $12 million in funding. Read More
HomeAway thinks $1M Airbnb Host Guarantee is as empty as a vacant apartment
News / Online
HomeAway thinks $1M Airbnb Host Guarantee is as empty as a vacant apartment
By Dennis Schaal | May 29, 2012
Is Airbnb's new $1 million Host Guarantee more fluff than substance? Read More
Flat-Club secures Series A funding, recruits managers for European push
News / Online
Flat-Club secures Series A funding, recruits managers for European push
By Linda Fox | May 24, 2012
Short-term rental specialist Flat-Club has completed Series A funding just weeks ahead of launching new markets across Europe Read More
Airbnb establishes $1M property damage coverage for hosts
News / Online
Airbnb establishes $1M property damage coverage for hosts
By Dennis Schaal | May 22, 2012
Airbnb has upped the ante as it established $1 million damage-protection guarantee for hosts. Read More
Airbnb as an easy target? Curious tale of disappearing negative review
News / Online
Airbnb as an easy target? Curious tale of disappearing negative review
By Dennis Schaal | May 18, 2012
If you are Airbnb, Expedia, TripAdvisor and Groupon -- big names in travel tech -- you are going to have to take your lumps sometimes because your brand is exposed in a major way and consumers and... Read More
RAVN shuts down after just six months, not the Airbnb for experiences before or after rebrand
News / Online
RAVN shuts down after just six months, not the Airbnb for experiences before or after rebrand
By Kevin May | May 16, 2012
RAVN, a marketplace place for experiences which captured the imagination of the tech press in the US, is to close at the end of this month. Read More
Would it be apt for Priceline to have something in store for HomeAway?
News / Online
Would it be apt for Priceline to have something in store for HomeAway?
By Dennis Schaal | May 10, 2012
Vacation-rental powerhouse HomeAway regularly studies Airbnb to gauge the competitive threat, but should HomeAway start paying closer attention to Priceline, as well? Read More
Airbnb seeks further occupancy tax discussion, San Francisco Treasurer stands firm
News / Online
Airbnb seeks further occupancy tax discussion, San Francisco Treasurer stands firm
By Linda Fox | May 8, 2012
Peer to peer rental service Airbnb is holding out for further discussion on San Francisco's occupancy tax after the city's Office of Treasurer clarified the regulation last month Read More
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