Raini Hamdi, Skift
Airbnb’s focus on adding independent hotels instead of all-and-sundry is a smart approach. The vacation rentals company made more than $1 billion in revenue for the second quarter and intends to go public during 2020. It can't afford to meddle with the model.
4 weeks ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
HotelTonight's acquisition by Airbnb last March represented a happy outcome, but it wasn't inevitable. Back in 2015, HotelTonight faced layoffs and fundraising hiccups. Here, co-founder and CEO Sam Shank shares some of the ways he got his company back on track.
1 month ago
Isaac Carey, Skift
Airbnb keeps on improving its business travel platform. So when will the events industry finally take advantage of it?
3 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
It will be tremendously complex for Airbnb to transition from an alternative accommodations site into one that also offers lots of hotels. The coming business model changes and technology challenges will get sorted out, but it will be rocky for quite some time.
5 months ago
Raini Hamdi, Skift
So it's finally confirmed. Airbnb is investing up to $200 million in India's budget hotel chain Oyo, a deal that India Oyo observers say has big upsides for both companies.
7 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
In light of Airbnb buying HotelTonight, Skift looks back at the many copycats of the mobile-first hotel booking agency. Where are they now?
7 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
The success of Ennismore’s Hoxton hotels brand is founded on the fact that you don’t have to completely reinvent something to make it exciting or lasting. You just need to know what elements bring you — and your guests — joy (while also making a profit).
7 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Booking Holdings' Glenn Fogel, whose background is in mergers and acquisitions, was undoubtably not surprised when Airbnb bought HotelTonight. We'd be shocked if he and others hadn't kicked the tires.
7 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
On the surface, HotelTonight got a lowish deal from Airbnb. But with roughly half in stock, the price tag could look very upbeat if Airbnb's stock soars in an initial public offering.
7 months ago
Deanna Ting, Skift
Will Airbnb stick to its boutique and independent-only stance on hotels? It could put it at a serious disadvantage when it comes to competitors like Booking or Expedia in the long run. But if Airbnb winds up offering a wider swath of hotels, it could boost its brand even further. Either way, it's guaranteed to be interesting. We'll get the popcorn ready.
7 months ago
Dennis Schaal, Skift
Is Airbnb flailing at a way to build an expansion narrative ahead of an initial public offering? Buying HotelTonight would save some time and effort in making inroads with boutique hotels, but does Airbnb really need HotelTonight to do that? In travel, everyone is always talking to everyone so we're unsure how serious these informal talks ever were.
9 months ago
Sean O'Neill, Skift
HotelTonight is no longer a mobile-only company. It's no longer just for same-day stays, as its name once implied. Investors seem to want no potential income left on the table, even if the brand must lose some of its original distinctiveness.
1 year ago
