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.

2017 photo of guest room at arlo nomad queen

Hotels

How Airbnb Is Thinking About Its Third New Business of 2025 — Hotels

Airbnb has a big opportunity in hotels. But CEO Brian Chesky makes it all sound a little too easy. It's not a big investment, he said, and Airbnb won't have to spend a lot on marketing for it. Signing up hotels? Not a problem — they have phone numbers.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

Portrait of a man dressed in black sitting on a chair

Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb Is Testing a ‘What Box’ for Natural Language Search

Say what? Yes, Airbnb is testing adding a "What" box to the search interface atop its homepage. If it works, then over the next few years it may transform the way people look for a place to stay.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

One guest in an Airbnb lying on a couch, and another sitting.

Online Travel

Airbnb Sees Lift in Third Quarter From Reserve Now, Pay Later

Reserve Now, Pay Later is giving an unexpected boost to Airbnb's outlook for the year. It is rare for a new feature to have such as immediate impact.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

A vacation rental with a ping pong table in the foreground.

Online Travel

Vrbo Adds Guest Photos to Property Reviews and Galleries

The AI Guest Review summaries will save travelers lots of time if they accurately reflect review content. The guest photos will add a dose of reality to the search experience.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

Online Travel

Full Video: Airbnb, Silkhaus and the Middle East’s Short-Term Rental Surge

Short-term rentals aren’t just a stopgap, they’re a strategic pillar for tourism growth. As the Middle East doubles down on mega-events and visitor targets, players like Silkhaus and Airbnb want to prove that flexibility, personalization, and partnerships are key to staying competitive.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

A man speaking on a microphone with people lined up behind him.

Tourism

Zohran Mamdani Interview: Increase NYC’s Tourism Budget (‘Yes’), Airbnb, and World Cup Prep

Zohran Mamdani is the frontrunner for NYC mayor and his central idea — affordability — has big implications for the travel industry.

Rafat Ali | 9 months ago

Online Travel

Airbnb’s Brian Chesky: ChatGPT Can Distribute Travel, But Cutting Out OTAs Is ‘Very Difficult’

It's the existential issue the travel industry is debating: Will OpenAI and other platforms become travel booking sites? Brian Chesky doesn't think so.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

People in an Airbnb cooking class in Mexico City.

Online Travel

Airbnb Adds Social Features to Experiences, Expands ‘Reserve Now, Pay Later’

Airbnb has a lot riding on its Experiences business. Adding a social feature is an incremental improvement, not a game changer.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

Online Travel

EU Lawmaker Wants Housing Rules to Tackle Short-Term Rentals

Member states of the European Union have little in the way of coordinated short-term rental policies other than a data-sharing pact. It's premature to predict whether a proposed affordable housing plan will have any answers.

Dennis Schaal | 9 months ago

Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb Creates Arizona Political Organization While National Efforts Expand

As local governments increasingly look to regulate the short-term rental industry, Airbnb is fighting back by increasing its lobbying efforts and getting involved in political races.

Dave Levinthal | 9 months ago