Short-Term Rental and Vacation Rental News

Airbnb's business model, which includes a traveler-booking fee, wouldn't be competitive when competing for hotel-room bookings against Expedia and Booking.com, a new report argues. But business models aren't set in stone the last time we checked.

Because Oasis Collections provides local destination representatives to welcome guests at its listings, and also act as private concierges, that made the company attractive to Accor because it's easier to control the quality and uniformity of the guest experience to a degree.

Many U.S. cities remain relatively problematic for short-term rentals as 38 of the 59 largest U.S. cities part of this study have no legal foundation for short-term rentals and 32 have restrictions in place.

One of the reasons HomeAway thought it would be in its interests to get acquired is that it faced substantial risks in transitioning to an online bookable platform and tacking on a fee that travelers have to pay. Now it has Expedia's marketing muscle and tech skills to support all the changes, and a tested product official to help lead the effort.

Whether official or unofficial, the recent studies of Airbnb activity are revealing more and more about the business happening on Airbnb.

Generator Hostels offers a viable option for business travelers by offering single rooms and focusing on how programming and design can drive social engagement among guests and locals. That energetic vibe is also attracting hip consumer brands to partner with the innovative hospitality group.

Choice Hotels recognizes that traveler behavior is changing. For the sometime-business and other-times-leisure traveler, Choice Privileges members can earn points whether staying in a hotel or in a vacation rental. And because "millennials want instant gratification," according to CEO Stephen Joyce, Choice is giving it to them in the form of perks at check-in.

More meeting planners are considering Airbnb as a viable accommodation option, based on new partnerships and programs that dramatically increase the value proposition for themselves, their clients, and their attendees.

For all its success, Airbnb still has work to do when it comes to attracting timeshare distributors to its network.

More data on Airbnb's business will hopefully give the industry greater insight into how it really fits into the evolving hospitality ecosystem.