Airbnb

News / Online

ChatGPT, travel data, OTAs: PhocusWire’s top opinion stories of 2023

By PhocusWire | December 13, 2023

This year's popular op-eds were heavy on AI and also covered TikTok and Instagram influencers and the loyalty strategies of Expedia, Booking, Hopper and Airbnb. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb announces changes to executive team

By Derek Catron | December 5, 2023

CFO Dave Stephenson becomes Airbnb’s first chief business officer, a role in which he will be asked to drive growth across the company’s existing and new businesses. Read More

News / Technology

Airbnb, Mondee moves signal role of acquisitions in travel's race for AI

By Morgan Hines & Linda Fox | November 17, 2023

Last week's acquisitions by Airbnb and Mondee reflect a business strategy of chasing speed as the travel industry heads enter the AI race. Read More

News / Distribution

European lawmakers agree on registration system for short-term rental hosts and platforms

By Linda Fox | November 16, 2023

As a first step towards shaking short-term rentals rules across Europe, lawmakers have agreed on draft regulation for a registration system and data sharing. Read More

News / Technology

Airbnb acquires GamePlanner.AI

By Morgan Hines | November 14, 2023

Airbnb emphasizes artificial intelligence focus with a near $200 million acquisition. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb’s new AI-powered “Guest Favorites” property badge will update daily

By Mitra Sorrells | November 8, 2023

The new badge, part of the Airbnb's Winter Release, comes just days after the company shuttered its Plus program, which was a more manual, design-focused evaluation. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb's Chesky envisions turning app into "ultimate travel agent"

By Derek Catron | November 1, 2023

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky covers AI’s potential, short-term rental regulations, a threat from Google – and why he thinks Airbnb has nowhere to go but up. Read More

News / Startups

New venture from Airbnb’s Gebbia raises $41M Series A

By Mitra Sorrells | October 31, 2023

Samara builds small, pre-fabricated houses known as “accessory dwelling units” that property owners can use to create additional living space or as a rental property. Read More

News / Online

Google bringing price comparison to vacation rental searches

By Derek Catron | October 24, 2023

Users who search Google and click through to a specific property will now be able to compare costs from multiple travel sites on which the property is listed. Just don’t expect to find Airbnb or... Read More

News / Online

Airbnb shutters Plus program, promises other upgrades for hosts

By Linda Fox | October 11, 2023

Airbnb Plus was unveiled in early 2018 and enabled hosts to be part of a higher tier based on quality and comfort. Read More

News / Technology

Google, Expedia, Travelport and Wego on AI risks, opportunities

By Mitra Sorrells | October 3, 2023

In a session at WiT Singapore, executives from the four companies discussed concerns such as privacy, hallucinations and bias in relation to generative AI. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb turns attention to other cities but would reopen talks with NYC

By Morgan Hines | September 28, 2023

Airbnb's Brian Chesky said the new rules make New York more expensive for travelers, but the head of the city's DMO said he is not concerned about an impact on the city's economy. Read More

News / Online

Airbnb announces new system to verify listings

By Derek Catron | September 21, 2023

Verified listings will be denoted by an icon starting in February for the U.S., Canada, Australia, the U.K. and France, with 30 more countries to be added next fall. Read More

News / Online

Will EU’s drive to regulate STRs lead to more data-driven policies?

By Derek Catron | September 13, 2023

A new report from eu travel tech shows how the greater availability of data could lead to more targeted measures on short-term rentals in Europe. Read More