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Airbnb set to branch into creative content before IPO
Reading Time: 2 minutesWorldwide: Reuters is reporting that Airbnb is planning to produce a series of original shows and content to encourage its customers to travel more and broaden their horizons. The latest strategy comes at a time when Airbnb is shaping up for a scheduled initial public offering this year or next. The company is said to […]
Mayor of London calls for property registration system
Reading Time: 3 minutesUK: The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has called on the government to establish a registration system for hosts renting out a property within the 90-night lettings limit in the capital, to maintain sufficient housing for long-term residents. Writing to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, James Brokenshire, in a letter co-signed […]
Lyric raises $160m in Series B round with Airbnb
Reading Time: 2 minutesUS: San Francisco-based apartment provider Lyric has raised $160 million in a Series B financing and debt financing led by Airbnb. The round was also led with participation from investors including Tishman Speyer, RXR Realty, Obvious Ventures, SineWave, former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo and former Twitter COO Adam Bain, Starwood Capital Group cofounder and chairman […]
Airbnb reveals trending UK Easter staycation destinations
Reading Time: < 1 minuteUK: Airbnb has revealed its list of the trending UK destinations where travellers are wanting to spend an Easter holiday staycation this year. Scarborough in North Yorkshire came out on top after seeing a 300 per cent rise in the number of searches over the Easter period, with visitors flocking to the seaside town for […]
Calls for government to regulate Airbnb in South Africa
Reading Time: 2 minutesSouth Africa: The South African government is set to regulate Airbnb and other short-stay apps in the country, due to rising concerns from hoteliers that they are negatively impacting on the tourism sector. In the Tourism Amendment Bill, which was published on Friday, it states that short-term home rentals will be legislated under the Tourism Act. Under […]
Airbnb officially acquires HotelTonight
Reading Time: 2 minutesWorldwide: Airbnb has announced it has completed the acquisition of hotel-booking service HotelTonight. The completion of the acquisition comes after news first filtered through five weeks ago about the proposed deal. It coincides with a period of rapid growth for HotelTonight. In the first quarter of this calendar year, the number of room nights booked […]
Airbnb reverses West Bank settlement listing ban
Reading Time: 2 minutesIsrael: Airbnb has announced it has reversed its decision to remove West Bank settlement listings from its website. The policy change came about following a court settlement between the rental company and a group of American Jewish plaintiffs who had sued the company, organised by Shurat Hadin-Israel Law Center, a pro-Israel law organisation. A copy of […]
Airbnb agrees tax authority cooperation in Denmark
Reading Time: 2 minutesDenmark: Airbnb has agreed to send information about its homeowners in Denmark to the country’s tax authorities, in order to ensure that they collect their fair due. The agreement was reached after a deal was struck between Danish lawmakers this week. Under said agreement, the laws affecting the home-sharing platform will come into effect from […]
Airbnb announces Series E investment in OYO
Reading Time: 3 minutesWorldwide: Airbnb has confirmed it has invested in OYO Hotels & Homes’ Series E funding, which is reported to be worth between $100 million and $200 million. The US-based rental platform has not disclosed the amount or terms of the Series E investment publicly, which was announced back in September. Up to this point, OYO […]
Airbnb and the Louvre partner to offer special contest
Reading Time: 2 minutesParis: Airbnb is partnering with the Louvre Museum in Paris to offer a special contest through its Experiences programme, in which the winners will spend the night sleeping next to artwork including the Mona Lisa. The museum aims to mark 30 years since its recognisable glass pyramid, as designed by I.M. Pei, was constructed at the site in […]