Airbnb is the only short-term rental platform we know of that is publicly taking on the issue, engaging in partnerships and sharing data on its performance.
Marriott's tuck-in deal for Postcard Cabins is a nice payout for the startup's early investors, including Certares and Starwood Capital. The deal gives the hotel giant access to 1,200 cabins near parks that are drivable from urban hubs.
What if market analytics firm CoStar launched a property management system for hotels? That's the play that AirDNA is making in the short-term rentals industry. AirDNA will go at it with its own data analytics brand as well as its Uplifting brand in the PMS arena.
With its Airbnb-friendly programs for apartments and condos, the short-term rental giant is expanding into markets that were once forbidden. Risks include whether landlords will continue to be enthusiastic and how other residents feel.
Airbnb will try to widen its experiences audience by crafting them for locals, as well as travelers. Experiences will get the "categories" treatment, and a dose of TikTok and Instagram stories-like marketing.
Was Booking Holdings getting too fat? With operating costs outpacing revenue growth, something had to give. We might not know the exact chess moves for awhile.