Spirit’s Uncertain Survival, Airbnb’s Hotels Play, and America’s Tourist Shakedown
For our hump-day pod we discuss Airbnb’s new dalliance with hotels, the U.S.’s tourism unaffordability challenge, and Spirit Air’s continuing woes.
Airbnb News
What started as AirBedandBreakfast.com has grown into a massive public company that IPOd in 2020. Airbnb is now the world’s largest online alternative-accommodation community, allowing millions of users to list, search, and rent authentic homestays and vacation-rental experiences in countless cities across the globe.
Airbnb’s New Strategy: ‘Aggressively’ Add Hotels, Steal Their Guests
Airbnb has long sought to add hotels into its inventory mix, but the dilemma has been how to do so and not become just another online travel agency like Booking.com or Expedia.
10 Biggest Online Travel Agencies: Booking and Airbnb Gain Ground
The most dominant players have kept their lead, but regional leaders like Trip.com and MakeMyTrip are increasingly challenging global incumbents.
Airbnb’s Political Spending, U.S. Hotels’ Health, and Falling Tourism to the U.S.
Today’s episode looks at Airbnb in Washington D.C., prospects for hotel growth in the U.S., and declining tourism there, too.
Airbnb Needs to Win Over Policymakers – the Cost Is Adding Up
Airbnb portrays itself as a growth story. It will take a lot more lobbying spend in the future to clear a path for that expansion.
Airbnb Expands Services, Southwest Joins Priceline and Choice Looks Abroad
For today’s pod, we look at Airbnb‘s updated experiences, Southwest new deal with Priceline, and Choice Hotels’ growth options.
Airbnb’s Brian Chesky: We’re Open to Partnering With AI Chatbots
Airbnb's Brian Chesky is close to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, but that doesn't mean that Airbnb will necessarily distribute its inventory through Altman's ChatGPT.
Airbnb: Early Experiences Trends, AI Rollout, International Growth
Many travel companies have tried to market experiences to both locals and travelers and failed to do so. If Airbnb can really tap into local demand in a substantial way it would be breaking new ground.
Booking’s Credit Card, Marriott’s Slower Growth and Spain’s Rental Crackdown
Your morning news podcast looks at Booking.com’s first credit card, Marriott’s slower performance, and Spain’s crackdown on outlaw short-term rentals.
Spain to Delist Thousands of Airbnbs and Other Vacation Rentals
Spain's approach to de-listing units is similar to the one New York City has taken in the past couple of years.