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.

Short-Term Rentals

Portugal’s Proposal to Ban New Short-Term Rental Licenses May Hike Prices

The new proposals yet to be finalized may achieve the opposite effect, reducing short-term rental inventory in the long run while pushing rental prices up. The government should be cautious given tourism's significant 17 percent contribution to the economy.

Srividya Kalyanaraman | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Expedia’s Vrbo Plays Its Hand in the Shadow of Airbnb

How would Expedia and its Vrbo unit compete in short-term rentals against a juggernaut like Airbnb? Set realistic expectations and play to your strengths.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Booking and Airbnb Have a $22 Billion Wad of Cash — How Will They Spend It?

The sure bet is that the major online travel agencies will use some cash to buy back shares in 2023 unless the economy tanks. Less sexy than acquisitions, but good for shareholders. Still, that leaves plenty of money for some possible headline-making deals.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Vacation rental apartment flat london source altido

Short-Term Rentals

Short-Term Rentals See Last-Minute Bookings Rise But at Lower Rates

Discounted deals on last-minute bookings are more than just a passing trend. It's fast becoming a market with many entrants. But it's unlikely to alarm bigger players like Airbnb and Vrbo unwilling to compromise on brand and experiences.

Srividya Kalyanaraman | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Tripadvisor Names Appointees to Fill Out Reorganization of Its Core Business

Tripadvisor filled in the blanks, naming two executive appointments to flesh out a reorganization of its core business that the company disclosed during its fourth quarter earnings call a week…

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Online Travel Storytelling Spin Cycle Is Running at Full Speed

What happened to the good old days of rich travel companies getting richer through digital marketing? Ha. Airbnb said brand marketing and public relations (both forms of storytelling) let it reduce its reliance on performance marketing.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Trivago and Tripadvisor Metasearch Lag Online Travel Agency Pandemic Recovery

Some metasearch sites have lost a bit of marketing appeal for advertisers. More brand marketing and Google are likely among the factors behind the trend.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago

For Daily Lodging Report Subscribers launch

Airbnb Has Its First Profitable Year

Airbnb definitely got a better response from investors on their 4Q earnings report than traditional lodging analysts. The main takeaway everyone agreed on is that its results, along with Marriott and Hilton’s, showed the demand has not slowed down

3 years ago

Podcasts

Airbnb Delivers First Full Year of Profits

Today’s edition of Skift’s daily podcast looks at Airbnb's first full year of profits, Marriott's stellar quarter, and generative AI's promise for travel.

Jason Clampet | 3 years ago

Online Travel

Expedia’s 3 Core Brands, Explained

Expedia Group's brand strategy makes sense to the extent that these three core brands don't detract from the company's global ambitions.

Dennis Schaal | 3 years ago