Airbnb eyes ‘AI-first’ future with autonomous trip-planning agents
US: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has outlined plans for the company to become an “AI-first application”, with autonomous agents able to plan trips, manage bookings and provide real-time support. The announcement, made during Airbnb’s Q2 2025 earnings call on 7 August, followed the release of results showing double-digit revenue growth and steady global demand. Chesky […]
Airbnb to “go significantly more aggressively into hotels,” says CEO
US: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky has outlined plans to expand the number of hotels listed on the platform, signalling a shift towards a broader accommodation offering. During the company’s Q2 2025 earnings call, Chesky said Airbnb would be “going significantly more aggressively into hotels”, with a focus on independent and boutique properties, particularly outside North […]
HostGPO partners with Amazon Business
US: HostGPO, a group purchasing organisation serving the short-term rental industry, has entered into a strategic partnership with Amazon Business to provide members with new procurement benefits. The agreement will give HostGPO members access to discounts of up to 40 per cent on products, in addition to 50 per cent off Amazon Business Prime memberships. […]
Accor to open first Mövenpick resort in the Netherlands in 2028
Netherlands: France-based hotel group Accor has signed a development agreement for a 240-key Mövenpick resort in Petten, set to become the brand’s first resort in the Netherlands. Scheduled to open in 2028, Mövenpick Resort & Spa Pettemer Duynen will have 240 rooms, a spa and wellness centre, swimming pools, meeting facilities for up to 500 […]
Over 10,000 European hotels join legal action against Booking.com
Europe: More than 10,000 hotels across Europe have joined the collective legal action against OTA Booking.com, expanding on a case first reported in June. The claim challenges the platform’s long-standing “best price” clause, also known as a Platform Most Favoured Nation (PMFN) clause, which required accommodation providers to display the same or lower rates on […]
Lodgify launches payment tool and finance platform
Spain: Rental management platform Lodgify has added new tools built to help hosts and property managers get paid and access capital.
Airbnb rolls out exclusive Lollapalooza experiences
US: Airbnb’s first global live music partnership with Lollapalooza launched in Chicago this week, offering exclusive experiences for guests during the festival. The initiative, run in collaboration with Live Nation, will expand to Berlin, São Paulo, Mumbai and The Town (São Paulo) later this year, according to Airbnb. Under the programme, Airbnb guests can access curated experiences […]
Travel Chapter expands portfolio with two new brands
UK: Holiday letting agency Travel Chapter has launched holidaylodges.co.uk and Glampingstays, two new platforms designed to meet growing demand for experience-led holiday options. The move comes shortly after the company’s acquisition of Beach Retreats. The new brands are designed to meet the growing demand for alternative accommodation options while providing property owners with tailored support. […]
Frenchospitality partners with eviivo
France: Frenchospitality, a Paris-based operator of boutique hotels, residences, and hybrid accommodations, has selected property management platform eviivo to streamline operations and improve performance across its expanding portfolio of hotels and apartments in Europe. The group switched to eviivo to reduce costs and simplify its operations by replacing multiple third-party systems with a single all-in-one […]
Casago selects Guesty as certified PMS partner for franchise network
US: Short-term rental software platform Guesty has been selected as the new certified property management system (PMS) for premier vacation rental property management company Casago following a strategic agreement between the two companies. The partnership will see Guesty’s franchise-ready HQ platform rolled out across Casago’s expanding network of franchise partners, including those transitioning from the […]