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.

Collaborative consumption model drives a new wave of travel products
News / Online
Collaborative consumption model drives a new wave of travel products
By Viewpoints | September 23, 2011
We’ve heard a lot about the rise of collaborative consumption over the last few years and Rachel Botsman’s book What’s Mine is Yours is one of the best pieces on the subject. Read More
Wimdu follows through on host insurance promise
News / Online
Wimdu follows through on host insurance promise
By Linda Fox | September 8, 2011
Wimdu has introduced a global insurance policy for its hosts which will take effect from the beginning of October Read More
Airbnb for business travelers? Rental tools for monthly sublets introduced
News / Online
Airbnb for business travelers? Rental tools for monthly sublets introduced
By Dennis Schaal | September 1, 2011
If you thought Airbnb was just for college kids looking for a couch to crash on, guess again. Read More
iStopOver to offer Daily Deals -- on booking fees
News / Online
iStopOver to offer Daily Deals -- on booking fees
By Dennis Schaal | August 29, 2011
Peer to peer accommodation specialist iStopOver isn't going full-throttle into flash sales, but will begin offering Daily Deals with a twist. Read More
CouchSurfing captures $7.6M funding, ends not-for-profit status
News / Online
CouchSurfing captures $7.6M funding, ends not-for-profit status
By Kevin May | August 25, 2011
Long before the likes of Airbnb and Wimdu got people excited and/or hot under the collar about rental marketplaces, there was enormous buzz surrounding Couchsurfing. Read More
Wimdu to check-in with global insurance, traveller protection to follow
News / Online
Wimdu to check-in with global insurance, traveller protection to follow
By Linda Fox | August 24, 2011
Wimdu is to follow rival Airbnb with the introduction of a policy to protect property hosts in the next few weeks. Read More
Why the belle has no clothes at the rental marketplace ball
News / Online
Why the belle has no clothes at the rental marketplace ball
By Viewpoints | August 16, 2011
Airbnb and the fast-growing number of rental marketplaces seem like the belles of the ball among travel-related web sites this year. Read More
Airbnb tries to get house back in order, guarantee scheme now effective
News / Online
Airbnb tries to get house back in order, guarantee scheme now effective
By Kevin May | August 15, 2011
It took a bucket load of bad publicity and at least one trashed property, but Airbnb has finally launched its owner insurance scheme. Read More
Is there anyone out there who really loves the customer?
News / Online
Is there anyone out there who really loves the customer?
By Timothy O'Neil-Dunne | August 15, 2011
Recently I have become quite focused on the issues of customer trust - primarily I am saddened by the trend to take advantage of the consumer. Read More
Flat-Club targets trust factor in buzz around short-term lettings
News / Online
Flat-Club targets trust factor in buzz around short-term lettings
By Daniele Beccari | August 15, 2011
TLabs Showcase on travel startups featuring UK-based Flat-Club, an online marketplace for short term lettings between friends and members of organisations and clubs. Read More
Airbnb reverts to membership marketing, but some questions over method
News / Online
Airbnb reverts to membership marketing, but some questions over method
By Kevin May | August 9, 2011
Such is the buzz and controversy surrounding Airbnb at the moment that it only has scratch its backside and people are looking to either praise or criticise it. Read More
TLabs Reprise - Globetrooper 12 months on
News / Online
TLabs Reprise - Globetrooper 12 months on
By Kevin May | August 8, 2011
Globetrooper is an Australia-based social trip planning service, which first featured on Tnooz in April 2010. So what happened in the intervening 12 months? Read More
Priceline to continue testing and expanding local deals
News / Online
Priceline to continue testing and expanding local deals
By Dennis Schaal | August 4, 2011
Priceline's hotel and car rental business grew substantially in the second quarter, and the company also is pondering local deals as a new revenue stream. Read More
Reality bites - Airbnb told to register as seller of travel
News / Online
Reality bites - Airbnb told to register as seller of travel
By Dennis Schaal | August 4, 2011
Is Airbnb merely a "neutral venue" enabling users to arrange stays with one another? Read More
Ten critical questions for person-to-person business models in travel
News / Online
Ten critical questions for person-to-person business models in travel
By Alex Bainbridge | August 1, 2011
Extraordinary amount of intense debate recently regarding issues around person-2-person (P2P) business models for tours and accommodation. Read More
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