Rental platforms face renewed crackdown in Beijing
China: A significant number of short-term rental listings on platforms such as Airbnb in Beijing are reportedly being shut down on the orders of the city’s government. Chinese investigative journalism website Caixin said that nine short-term rental platforms, including the likes of Airbnb, Trip.com, Meituan and Tujia, were summoned to a meeting on 20 August […]
Airbnb denounced by Uighur rights campaigners in China
China: Airbnb has been urged to withdraw its support for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Games by campaigners in China fighting for the rights of Uighur Muslims in the country. The End the Uighur Genocide Movement has been gaining traction around the world for their public support of Uighur Muslims, who are alleged to […]
Beijing bans vacation rentals close to Forbidden City
China: Beijing city authorities have banned ban vacation rental lettings in neighbourhoods near the Forbidden City due to “security concerns”. The city said the new directive, which also places stricter controls on rentals in other parts of the capital, is part of a move to tighten control of short-term apartment rentals across the city and […]
Airbnb suspends Beijing check-ins due to coronavirus
China: Airbnb is suspending check-ins in the Chinese capital of Beijing until at least March due to concerns over the coronavirus threat. UPDATE: Reuters reports that these delays have been extended until May. This, according to the company, is to comply with city regulations responding to the disease. Airbnb is offering refunds to any and […]
Airbnb’s Chinese rival in talks to raise over $200 million in funding
China: One of Airbnb’s biggest Chinese rivals is in talks with Singapore’s wealth fund to secure $200 million in funding to take on the American vacation rental platform. Beijing-based Xiaozhu.com, who were reportedly almost acquired by Airbnb in 2016, lets its users rent out homes and apartments across China and it is now targeting the […]
Chinese rental start up secures $620 million funding
China: Rental start-up Ziroom has secured $620 million of investment led by private equity firm Warburg Pincus. Other participating investors include Tencent, Sequoia Capital China, China Renaissance, Principal Investment, Sunac Capital, GA Capital, H Capital, Source Code Capital, Haixia Asset and New Hope. Ziroom CEO Xiong Lin said, the proceeds will be used to expand […]