Businesses have done a good job as emergency policy makers – but they must not get complacent September 14, 2020 Government policy and regulation must at times play catch-up with reality. In recent times, this has been especially prevalent with the social and digital media giants, who have enjoyed free rein while policy makers struggle to work out how to deal with the potential harms they bring. But if we thought that the rise and [...]
Airbnb restricts UK bookings to key workers due to coronavirus April 9, 2020 Airbnb has blocked UK bookings for all customers except key workers during the coronavirus lockdown. UK listings still appear on the platform however bookings were blocked from 9am today unless they are essential. The restrictions will stay in place until at least 18 April. Under the government lockdown restrictions, all hotels and other accommodation providers [...]
Airbnb set to swing to a loss ahead of 2020 market debut February 11, 2020 Holiday letting platform Airbnb reportedly swung to a loss last year, raising concerns ahead of its planned initial public offering (IPO) later this year. The tech giant reported a $322m (£248.65m) net loss in the nine months to September as costs spiked, down from $200m profit the previous year, the Wall Street Journal reported. Airbnb [...]
Airbnb bans under-25s from booking ‘party houses’ after violence February 6, 2020 Airbnb has launched a crackdown on young people booking entire properties in a bid to prevent house parties from descending into violence. The new rules have been rolled out in Canada as part of a trial programme, though the company did not say whether it will be extended to other countries. It comes after a [...]
Airbnb backs creation of EU digital regulator after court victory January 29, 2020 Airbnb has backed calls for the creation of a digital regulator for the European Union after winning a landmark court case in the bloc that meant it could be classed as an online platform rather than a property agent. The short-term home rental platform said a new watchdog should form part of the discussion around [...]
Airbnb wins European court battle to dodge property rules ahead of public listing December 19, 2019 Airbnb received another boost today ahead of its public listing next year as Europe’s top court ruled that it is an online platform not an estate agent. The decision by the European court of justice will allow the company to dodge regulations faced by property brokers as it continues to expand. The company, which announced [...]
Airbnb secures deal to provide Olympic accommodation November 18, 2019 Holiday home rental company Airbnb has agreed a deal to become an Olympic partner, in a bid to reduce the cost of the games. Airbnb hosts will provide accommodation for athletes and Olympic officials as well as visiting fans at the Tokyo games next year, followed by Beijing, Paris, Milan and Los Angeles. Read more: [...]
Airbnb has promised to verify all of its properties – 11 years after it was founded November 6, 2019 Airbnb has said it will verify all properties on its website, after an investigation uncovered a series of scam listings. Last month, Vice News revealed a string of false or misleading rental properties posted on the platform. The tech company said it would review every property by December next year. It also said it would [...]
Airbnb hires Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to lead stock market listing October 3, 2019 Airbnb is reportedly preparing to hire Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to advise on its planned stock market debut next year. The short-term rental company is considering going public through a direct listing rather than an initial public offering (IPO) in mid-2020, according to Reuters. Read more: Airbnb plots direct listing instead of traditional IPO [...]
Airbnb ‘plots direct listing’ instead of traditional IPO for hotly-anticipated float October 1, 2019 Airbnb is said to be shunning a traditional initial public offering (IPO) in favour of a less conventional direct listing when it floats on the public market next year. The San Francisco-based tech giant is currently making preparations for a listing that would not involve creating any new shares, Bloomberg reported, citing people familiar with [...]