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.

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
How mobile technology is changing travel [INFOGRAPHIC]
News / Online
How mobile technology is changing travel [INFOGRAPHIC]
By Kevin May | May 2, 2012
Well, yes, we all know it is (especially now with this latest research), but sometimes the speed in which mobile travel has evolved is lost in the midst of constant app launches and new devices. Read More
HomeAway on phishing, peers and professional managers
News / Online
HomeAway on phishing, peers and professional managers
By Dennis Schaal | April 25, 2012
The vacation rental industry has truly gone international -- "international criminals" are directing phishing scams at owners and renters, says HomeAway CEO Brian Sharples. Read More
Travel startups and celebrities - strategic value or PR puff?
News / Online
Travel startups and celebrities - strategic value or PR puff?
By Kevin May | April 7, 2012
What is it these days with celebrities and travel startups? Or, more likely, travel startups and celebrities. Read More
Rental sites Roomorama and Lofty come together, secure $2.1 million funding
News / Online
Rental sites Roomorama and Lofty come together, secure $2.1 million funding
By Kevin May | April 5, 2012
More consolidation in the rental sector with short-term site and US-based Roomorama merging with Europe specialist Lofty and attracting a seed funding round of $2.1 million. Read More
Can consumer travel startups make it without being bought?
News / Online
Can consumer travel startups make it without being bought?
By Alex Kremer | March 30, 2012
Expedia. Travelocity. TripAdvisor. Kayak. These are all household names that even your mother will likely know. Read More
Wimdu sees revenue quadruple in three months, says social travel sky-rocketing
News / Online
Wimdu sees revenue quadruple in three months, says social travel sky-rocketing
By Linda Fox | March 23, 2012
Accommodation rental specialist Wimdu attributes a fourfold increase in revenue in the past quarter to mass market appeal of the concept Read More
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