Airbnb News

Our Skift Take Studio videos take readers behind the scenes at major events. In the first from Skift Forum Europe, Airbnb's boss in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa discusses the broad appeal of homesharing.

Airbnb's moves in Japan are smart for its future growth. But again we can't help but wonder: Why is the company so willing to fully comply with local laws in certain regions, like Japan, but so reluctant to do the same in others, like New York City?

Everybody wants a piece of the tours and activities sector, but how easy is it going to be to migrate all those businesses that currently operate offline to online?

We wonder whether Airbnb's community spirit will survive its growth plans and impending IPO.

While Airbnb has been brashly adding independent hotels, HomeAway has been quietly doing the same — although it has been using an entirely different business model given its ties to parent Expedia. Curation may have its place, but all of these companies realize that the more inventory and choice they give consumers, the more likely they are to spend on a stay.

Just as important as what was discussed on stage was what wasn't: an update on Airbnb Plus, the upcoming luxury brand, the new superguest loyalty program, the near-merger with Tujia, and more. Oh, and whatever happened to that stakeholder report Chesky promised to release in March?

Now that AccorHotels, Hyatt, and Marriott have started getting into homesharing, what does that mean for the hotel industry's crusade against it? Can AH&LA continue to fight Airbnb when some of its members are now actively participating in the short-term rental space?

Marriott — and well, any company wanting to get into private accommodations — should heed the advice of AccorHotels CEO and pay close attention to how they manage those rentals and how they can leverage their existing hospitality labor force to do it.

On one hand, Delta's frequent flyers have a less-effective loyalty program. But on the other, they're flying a great airline.

There is no set formula on how to do it, but it's clear that the most progressive companies in travel are intent on reinventing their businesses, and value propositions. On the other hand, certain things that still work, like customer service and personalized hospitality, will survive the cut.