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A criticized Airbnb deal will let users play gladiator in Rome's Colosseum
Read full article: A criticized Airbnb deal will let users play gladiator in Rome's ColosseumThe ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5 million sponsorship deal with Airbnb.
Prince fans can party overnight like it's 1999 with Airbnb rental of 'Purple Rain' house
Read full article: Prince fans can party overnight like it's 1999 with Airbnb rental of 'Purple Rain' houseA few Prince fans visiting the superstar's hometown of Minneapolis may be lucky to stay at a place that will let them go crazy over his cultural legacy.
Airbnb's second-quarter profit fell 15% despite its revenue rising 11% on stronger bookings
Read full article: Airbnb's second-quarter profit fell 15% despite its revenue rising 11% on stronger bookingsAirbnb says its profit fell 15% in the second quarter from a year earlier, as higher income taxes cut into the short-term rental giant’s bottom line even as bookings and revenue rose.
Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net income
Read full article: Airbnb shares slide on lower revenue forecast despite a doubling of net incomeAirbnb's profit more than doubled last quarter, but management's disappointing revenue forecast sparked a roughly 7% drop for its stock in after-market trading Wednesday.
Want to spend the night in a Paris museum or a house owned by Prince? Airbnb plans to list them
Read full article: Want to spend the night in a Paris museum or a house owned by Prince? Airbnb plans to list themAirbnb says it's going to give customers a chance at overnight stays in a Paris museum, a bedroom filled with Ferrari racing cars, and other exotic settings.
Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in the platform's listings worldwide
Read full article: Airbnb is banning the use of indoor security cameras in the platform's listings worldwideAirbnb says it’s banning the use of indoor security cameras in listings on its site around the world by the end of next month.
Neighborhood crime watch volunteer, 9-year-old son witness murder in Fort Lauderdale
Read full article: Neighborhood crime watch volunteer, 9-year-old son witness murder in Fort LauderdaleJason Fogelman leads a neighborhood watch at Fort Lauderdale’s Coral Ridge Isles. He said has had an eye on a house for rent on Airbnb, and he and his 9-year-old son witnessed a murder there on Saturday.
Airbnb agrees to pay $621 million to settle a tax dispute in Italy
Read full article: Airbnb agrees to pay $621 million to settle a tax dispute in ItalyShort-term rental platform Airbnb has agreed to pay 576 million euros ($621 million) to settle a years-long dispute over unpaid taxes in Italy but won’t try to recover the money from its hosts.
There's too much guesswork in renting an Airbnb. The short-term rental giant is trying to fix that
Read full article: There's too much guesswork in renting an Airbnb. The short-term rental giant is trying to fix thatAirbnb says the biggest reason it loses some bookings to hotels is that people never know exactly what their Airbnb rental will look like until they check in.
Airbnb posts $4.4 billion 3Q profit with help from a tax break and higher-than-expected revenue
Read full article: Airbnb posts $4.4 billion 3Q profit with help from a tax break and higher-than-expected revenueAirbnb says it made nearly $4.4 billion in the third quarter on better-than-expected revenue and a tax benefit.
Airbnb profit jumps to $650 million in 2Q, as bookings increase and rental rates hold steady
Read full article: Airbnb profit jumps to $650 million in 2Q, as bookings increase and rental rates hold steadyAirbnb says its second-quarter profit rose more than 70% from a year ago to $650 million thanks to strong bookings for summer-vacation rentals.
Atlanta woman accused of brutally beating 70-year-old Airbnb tenant in Fort Lauderdale
Read full article: Atlanta woman accused of brutally beating 70-year-old Airbnb tenant in Fort LauderdaleFort Lauderdale police arrested an Atlanta woman Monday after she was accused of beating a 70-year-old Airbnb tenant in Fort Lauderdale last week, authorities said.
Fort Lauderdale issues warning to owner of Airbnb home associated with man’s unsolved murder
Read full article: Fort Lauderdale issues warning to owner of Airbnb home associated with man’s unsolved murderAfter a man’s unsolved murder, city officials found something wrong with the crime scene in Broward County.
Living out a childhood fantasy: Guests to enjoy overnight stay on iconic boat from children’s series
Read full article: Living out a childhood fantasy: Guests to enjoy overnight stay on iconic boat from children’s seriesTheodore TOO, currently stationed in Hamilton, Ontario, will be open for Airbnb stays on Saturday and Sunday.
Obama, Airbnb's Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarships
Read full article: Obama, Airbnb's Brian Chesky launch $100M in scholarshipsThe co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, Brian Chesky, has donated $100 million to the Obama Foundation to fund scholarships for students pursuing careers in public service and includes multiple stipends for travel.
‘Inspiring generosity’: South Floridians use Airbnb to help Ukrainians
Read full article: ‘Inspiring generosity’: South Floridians use Airbnb to help UkrainiansAlexa Godel found a creative way to help Ukrainians and she wants others to know. Godel used Airbnb. She avoided management companies and searched for a host in Ukraine’s capital city of Kyiv. She chose to help Serge.
Kamala Harris art, 'Daily Show' lead Anthem Awards finalists
Read full article: Kamala Harris art, 'Daily Show' lead Anthem Awards finalistsAn art installation inspired by Vice President Kamala Harris, The New York Times’ “The 1619 Project” and “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” as well as charitable programs from Airbnb, Google, PayPal and the National Football League, are among the finalists for the inaugural Anthem Awards announced Tuesday.
Man, 26, arrested after fatal shooting outside house party in Miramar
Read full article: Man, 26, arrested after fatal shooting outside house party in MiramarA 26-year-old man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred during a party at an Airbnb rental in Miramar, authorities confirmed.
Police investigate deadly shooting after suspect allegedly opened fire and fled from party at Miramar Airbnb property
Read full article: Police investigate deadly shooting after suspect allegedly opened fire and fled from party at Miramar Airbnb propertyInitially there was a very large police presence at the scene on the 8600 block of Wilshire Drive.
I stayed at a ‘haunted’ Airbnb for two nights and this is what happened
Read full article: I stayed at a ‘haunted’ Airbnb for two nights and this is what happenedTo some, staying in a haunted hotel or Airbnb is a bucket list experience, but when I found out my friends booked an Airbnb in a building that used to be a psychiatric hospital, all I could think was that some ghosts were going to visit me at night.
Unlicensed homes target plastic surgery patients in need of safe place to recover
Read full article: Unlicensed homes target plastic surgery patients in need of safe place to recoverAuthorities are concerned about the proliferation of unlicensed “medical” homes listed on Airbnb and advertised as places to recover after plastic surgery.
Airbnb reports 1Q loss of nearly $1.2 billion, revenue rises
Read full article: Airbnb reports 1Q loss of nearly $1.2 billion, revenue risesAirbnb says it lost nearly $1.2 billion in the first quarter, about three times as much as it lost a year ago, as travel remains depressed because of the pandemic.
Miami-Dade detective searching for boy’s killers: ‘These were cowards’
Read full article: Miami-Dade detective searching for boy’s killers: ‘These were cowards’Detectives are searching for the shooter who killed 3-year-old Elijah LaFrance and wounded a 21-year-old woman after the boy’s birthday party on Saturday night in Miami-Dade’s Golden Glades neighborhood.
Half of all Airbnb hosts are women, and they have earned over $600 million in one year
Read full article: Half of all Airbnb hosts are women, and they have earned over $600 million in one yearWomen make up over half of all Airbnb hosts. According to a new earnings report from Airbnb, 55% of their four million Hosts globally are women. Despite this drawback for women, Airbnb has seen a dramatic increase in women becoming Airbnb Hosts in cities all over the world for the very first time — including in Miami. Airbnb announced this week that it estimates new women Hosts (with one listing) have collectively earned more than $600 million since March of 2020. AdIn Miami, new women Hosts who have begun sharing one listing during the pandemic have earned $1.6 million over the past year alone.
Airbnb reports huge loss in first time out as public company
Read full article: Airbnb reports huge loss in first time out as public companyHome-sharing site Airbnb posted a $3.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2020 as it suffered from the pandemic downturn in travel and recorded one-time costs for becoming a public company. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)Home-sharing site Airbnb posted a $3.9 billion loss in the fourth quarter of 2020 as it suffered from the pandemic downturn in travel and recorded one-time costs for becoming a public company. In results released Thursday — Airbnb's first as a publicly traded entity — the company took a charge of $2.8 billion for stock compensation related to the IPO. The company did say revenue will not decline as much in the current quarter as it did in the fourth quarter of last year. Since the start of the pandemic, Airbnb has shifted its focus to beach towns and mountain destinations — outdoorsy places where the risk of contracting the coronavirus is perceived to be lower.
Airbnb to block, cancel DC bookings ahead of inauguration
Read full article: Airbnb to block, cancel DC bookings ahead of inaugurationAirbnb says it will be blocking and cancelling reservations in the Washington, D.C. area during the week of the presidential inauguration. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)NEW YORK – Airbnb said Wednesday it will be blocking and canceling all reservations in the Washington, D.C., area during the week of the presidential inauguration. But over Presidents' Day weekend, the site lists more than 300 rentals in the Washington area. Meanwhile, a hotel labor union representing 7,200 hotel workers in the Washington area, called for hotel closures in the area to protect staff and the public. Marriott International said Wednesday that its hotels in the Washington area will remain open leading up to and through the inauguration.
Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inauguration
Read full article: Airbnb banning rioters, hate groups ahead of inaugurationAirbnb said Monday, Jan. 11, 2021, that its reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of the upcoming presidential inauguration and will bar any guests associated with hate groups or violent activity. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)Airbnb said Monday that it’s reviewing reservations in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of next week’s presidential inauguration and will bar any guests associated with hate groups or violent activity. Airbnb said it will warn all guests in the Washington region that it may bring legal action against them if they are members of hate groups or if they plan violent activities. Airbnb said it’s also banning from its platform anyone who engaged in criminal activity in last week’s riot at the U.S. Capitol. Democratic President-elect Joe Biden was the biggest recipient of Airbnb donations.
Asian stocks mixed after Wall St falls on virus pressure
Read full article: Asian stocks mixed after Wall St falls on virus pressureA woman wearing a face mask walks past a bank's electronic board showing the Hong Kong share index in Hong Kong, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020. Asian stock markets were mixed Friday after Wall Street sank following signs damage to the U.S. economy from the coronavirus is worsening while Congress is deadlocked over possible new aid. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)Asian stock markets were mixed Friday after Wall Street sank following signs damage to the U.S. economy from the coronavirus is worsening while Congress is deadlocked over possible new aid. Shanghai and Tokyo retreated while Hong Kong and Seoul gained. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong advanced 0.4% to 26.524.01.
Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPO
Read full article: Airbnb prices shares at $68 ahead of Thursday IPOThirteen years after its founders first rented air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment, Airbnb is making its long-awaited stock market debut. Airbnb had initially set a price range of $44 to $50 for it shares, but raised that to a range of $56 to $60 earlier this week, indicating rising investor demand. Airbnb’s listing comes a day after another San Francisco-based company, DoorDash, soared through its initial public offering. Its stock jumped 85.8% to close at $189.51 after the company priced shares at $102 each, raising $3.4 billion with its offering. Airbnb initially planned its IPO for the spring but shelved it when the pandemic ground global travel to a halt.
Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approach
Read full article: Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approachThe home sharing company raised $3.7 billion in the offering, making it the largest IPO of the year, according to Renaissance Capital. “This year had a lot of large IPOs,” said Matthew Kennedy, senior IPO market strategist at Renaissance Capital. Some 19 company IPOs have brought in over a billion dollars, including DoorDash and Airbnb. Still, individual investors may want to consider waiting a few days after a company has its IPO, if not longer. The Renaissance IPO ETF, which tracks an index that holds companies that have had an IPO within the last two years, giving more weight to bigger ones, is up 108% this year.
Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approach
Read full article: Blockbuster IPO market still calls for cautious approachDoorDash shares surged nearly 86% above their offering price of $102 in their market debut Wednesday. Airbnb’s own market debut on Thursday could end up blowing past that. “This year had a lot of large IPOs,” said Matthew Kennedy, senior IPO market strategist at Renaissance Capital. Airbnb put off a market debut in the spring when the pandemic crippled global travel. Uber, which raised $8.1 billion in its market debut last year, has yet to get out of the red.
DoorDash delivers 86% gain in stock market debut
Read full article: DoorDash delivers 86% gain in stock market debutDoorDash shares soared in its initial public offering Wednesday, capping a year of explosive growth for the food delivery company. Powering that service are 1 million delivery drivers, who are independent and not considered DoorDash employees. But lockdown orders and the closure of indoor dining have made DoorDash indispensable for many restaurants and diners this year. DoorDash now controls 50% of the U.S. food delivery market. Skeptics thought the economics of food delivery would fall apart in less dense areas, because there was lower demand.
Airbnb hikes share price ahead of expected IPO this week
Read full article: Airbnb hikes share price ahead of expected IPO this weekAirbnb has raised the price of its shares ahead of its initial public offering this week, betting investors will pay more given its resiliency during the pandemic. In a government filing Monday, Airbnb said it expects to price its shares between $56 and $60 each, up from a range of $44 to $50 earlier this month. Airbnb is expected to issue a final share price late Wednesday ahead of its Thursday IPO on the Nasdaq Stock Market. The new price would let the San Francisco-based home sharing company raise up to $3.4 billion in the offering. Airbnb has more than 7 million listings on its platform, run by 4 million hosts worldwide.
Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPO
Read full article: Airbnb hopes to raise up to $2.6B in mid-December IPOAirbnb hopes to raise as much as $2.6 billion in its initial public stock offering this month, betting investors will see its home-sharing model as the future of travel. It’s a remarkable comeback for the company that delayed its IPO when the coronavirus pandemic crippled global travel in the spring. Airbnb has more than 7 million listings on its platform, run by 4 million hosts worldwide. But Airbnb has recovered more quickly than traditional hotels as travelers seek whole homes in rural areas far from crowds. Airbnb said it also expects more business people will book vacation rentals, since many can now work from home.
Deaths at Kendall home raise issues with short-term vacation rental operation
Read full article: Deaths at Kendall home raise issues with short-term vacation rental operationKENDALL, Fla. – The Kendall luxury home at the center of an ongoing investigation into two deaths was part of a problematic short-term vacation rental operation. Records show he is a licensed real estate broker with an active certificate of use to operate a short-term vacation rental at his home. He said the short-term rental operation had become a nuisance to the quiet family-friendly neighborhood. A crime scene investigations' van is parked in front of a home where two people were found dead on Tuesday in Kendall. Detectives were asking anyone with information about the death investigations to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.
Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPO
Read full article: Airbnb details years of losses ahead of planned IPOThe San Francisco-based company has yet to set a date for the IPO but it is laying the groundwork by filing financial records with U.S. securities regulators. Its revenue jumped 32% to $4.8 billion in 2019, but it reported a net loss of $674 million that year. Airbnb said it currently has 7.4 million listings run by 4 million hosts worldwide. Earlier this year, hosts were infuriated when Airbnb allowed guests to cancel and get full refunds amid the pandemic. Airbnb later promised $250 million to hosts to make up the shortfall.
He was killed helping a stranded motorist. Arrest 1 year later helps his family heal.
Read full article: He was killed helping a stranded motorist. Arrest 1 year later helps his family heal.HOLLYWOOD, Fla. – Pierre Fortin was just a good Samaritan who pulled alongside the highway to help out a stranded motorist. Pierre’s sister Fran Fortin says her family is still grieving the tremendous loss, but they have some sense of relief after an arrest was made in the hit and run case almost exactly a year later. “My brother would do it again, always dong a favor,” Fran Fortin said. A defense attorney for Baptiste argued that his client’s DNA was not found on the gearstick in the car. “My brother will never come back, so there will never be any closure,” Fran Fortin said, “but at least the person who killed him was arrested.”
Airbnb requires hosts to commit to enhanced cleaning
Read full article: Airbnb requires hosts to commit to enhanced cleaningAirbnb said Thursday it will require hosts to comply with enhanced cleaning procedures as part of its effort to reassure guests and local officials during the coronavirus pandemic. Hosts in China are exempt because have their own local cleaning program, the company said. Airbnb is no longer requiring hosts to leave their rentals vacant for at least 24 hours between guests, as it did in April. San Francisco-based Airbnb said nearly 1.5 million listings have signed on to the enhanced cleaning standards since they were introduced in June. The company has also been removing party houses from its platform after a shooting last year at an unauthorized Halloween party in California.
Airbnb blocking some rentals over Halloween to halt parties
Read full article: Airbnb blocking some rentals over Halloween to halt partiesAirbnb will prohibit one-night rentals over Halloween weekend as part of its ongoing effort to crack down on party houses. Five people were killed in the shooting, which happened during an unauthorized Halloween party. San Francisco-based Airbnb said it will ban one-night rentals of entire homes in the U.S. and Canada on Oct. 30 or Oct. 31. Previously booked one-night rentals will be canceled and Airbnb will offer refunds. And in August, Airbnb banned parties worldwide and limited occupancy at its rentals to 16 people.
Jaipur's royal family lists Airbnb's first royal property
Read full article: Jaipur's royal family lists Airbnb's first royal propertyJAIPUR, India - Airbnb has taken its luxury listings to a new level, introducing their first royal property in Jaipur, India. The Jaipur royal family has listed a room in their stunningly ornate 300-year-old City Palace of Jaipur on Airbnb for $7,983 per night. The residence was built in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the royal founder of the city of Jaipur, and still houses the city's royal family today. Though India is now a democratic republic, the royal family still holds prominence in the region's rich history and traditions. The listing offers an intimate look into the heritage and traditions of the royal family and the city of Jaipur.
Airbnb bans 'party houses' following Calif. shooting
Read full article: Airbnb bans 'party houses' following Calif. shootingCNN Video(CNN) - Airbnb is cracking down on unauthorized house parties after five people were shot and killed at a Halloween party at an Airbnb rental house, the company's CEO announced Saturday,The company is banning "party houses," CEO Brian Chesky announced Saturday on Twitter, in reference to Thursday evening's shooting. "Second, we are creating a dedicated "party house" rapid response team. The shooting occurred during a Halloween party Thursday night. Three people died at the scene and two others died at the hospital, according to the sheriff's office. The incident is under investigation and no suspects have been arrested, according to the sheriff's office.
Airbnb hosts offer free housing to California fire evacuees
Read full article: Airbnb hosts offer free housing to California fire evacueesThose who aren't already Airbnb hosts may make a verified Airbnb account and list their home. Through Open Homes, Airbnb organizes relief stays for people needing a home or bed in the face of natural disaster, war, conflict, or other disastrous events. "Hosts can play an important role in their community's response and recovery just by offering their extra space," according to the Open Homes website. Participating hosts list their homes for free on the website and Airbnb waives all booking fees. Once hosts opt into the program, their home appears available on the Open Homes booking tool to all those from the affected area.
Here's how you can help California's wildfire victims
Read full article: Here's how you can help California's wildfire victimsSAN FRANCISCO - California's wildfires have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes as firefighters battle historically dire conditions. While families scramble to find shelter, several funds have been set up to help evacuees deal with the anticipated damage they'll face when they return to their homes and businesses. The United Way of the Wine Country set up the Kincade Fire Emergency Relief and Recovery Fund to help victims both in the short and long-term. The Red Cross has opened multiple shelters while the Salvation Army is providing meals, emotional and spiritual support to evacuees. The Red Cross also has a "Safe and Well List" to mark yourself safe or check on loved ones.
British couple spends $11,800 on Airbnb rental that doesn't exist
Read full article: British couple spends $11,800 on Airbnb rental that doesn't existIan and Denise Feltham, a couple from the UK, made vacation plans based on an Airbnb listing for a property that apparently didn't exist. IBIZA, Spain - Ian and Denise Feltham, a couple from the UK, made vacation plans based on an Airbnb listing for a property that apparently didn't exist. The dog-friendly listing -- the Felthams were traveling with their two Yorkshire terriers -- seems to have been based on a real apartment. The Las Boas staff member called the Airbnb listing a "fake," saying no such property even exists among the 40 units we saw on Las Boas' website. Ian Feltham has confirmed to CNN that photos on Las Boas' website match photos posted with the Airbnb listing he and his wife booked.
Airbnb plans to go public in 2020
Read full article: Airbnb plans to go public in 2020Slack's stock took a beating after its first earnings report as a public company earlier this month. Airbnb, which was valued at about $31 billion in its most recent private fund-raising round, didn't reveal how it plans to list its shares. Airbnb is one of the most well-known so-called unicorns, or startups valued at over $1 billion. This year has seen a number of high profile IPOs, including from Uber, Lyft, Zoom, Slack and Pinterest, so Airbnb has likely faced questions over the timing of its offering. In June, the company announced it was adding Airbnb Adventures trip packages in locations around the world to its platform.
New websites lets you rent swimming pools by the hour for you and your friends
Read full article: New websites lets you rent swimming pools by the hour for you and your friendsSwimply allows users to look up private pools in major cities that are available to rent by the hour. It's a great way for people who don't own pools to have a little summer fun, and it gives pool owners a way to earn some extra income. The company currently has pools available in 20 states across the United States, with more to come as the website becomes more popular. The price to rent a pool by the hour isn't as expensive as you might believe. If you split the cost among a couple of friends it won't be wildly expensive.
You can stay in Bella Swan's house from 'Twilight' movies thanks to Airbnb
Read full article: You can stay in Bella Swan's house from 'Twilight' movies thanks to AirbnbThe house Bella Swan lived in before Edward Cullen turned her into his vampire bride in the movies is now available to rent on Airbnb for just $330 a night. You can even rehash the age-old debate of Team Jacob or Team Edward by deciding if you're going to stay in the Team Edward room or Team Jacob room. Considering the room has a Jacob cardboard cutout, it's safe to assume the owners of the house are Team Jacob. The reviews of the rental are absolutely stellar, with many "Twilight" fans praising just how fun it was to stay the night at the Swan house. You can see the full Airbnb listing (including some photos of the house) by clicking here.
Airbnb launches $1,000+ per night luxury rental tier
Read full article: Airbnb launches $1,000+ per night luxury rental tierAirbnb/CNN(CNN) - Penthouses and chateaux are a far cry from the sofas and spare rooms that launched vacation rental behemoth Airbnb. Eleven years after Airbnb founders Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia invited renters to sleep on air mattresses in their San Francisco apartment, Airbnb has launched an exponentially more luxurious tier of rental properties with Airbnb Luxe. The 2,000 newly listed properties were drawn from Luxury Retreats, a separate rental site acquired by Airbnb in 2017. Airbnb Luxe marks a shift in strategy for the company, which had originally intended to spin the luxury properties into a brand called Beyond by Airbnb. "And the truth is that we already had a great luxury brand in Luxury Retreats and the Airbnb brand itself is incredibly strong; it's one of our real differentiators.
Miami Beach takes aim at Airbnb's policies for Israel's West Bank
Read full article: Miami Beach takes aim at Airbnb's policies for Israel's West BankMIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach city commissioners called out Airbnb Wednesday, drafting a resolution against what it calls discriminatory practices by the company. The resolution was a response to the short term rental company's decision to unlist properties in Israel's West Bank. "We addressed something that needed to be addressed," said Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber. But Airbnb is now suing Miami Beach, essentially saying the city can't police its website. Only a small stretch of Miami Beach allows so-called short-term rentals after neighbors have complained of unruly tenants and wild parties.