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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 America. The move is intended to address availability gaps during peak travel periods in locations where short-term rental supply is limited.
The initiative forms part of a “beyond the core” strategy, which combines hotel listings with the company’s established home rental product. Chesky described it as an “and, not an or” approach, referencing the HotelTonight acquisition as an example of integrating different accommodation types.
For the second quarter, Airbnb reported revenue of $3.1 billion, up 13 per cent year on year, net income of $642 million, and 134 million nights and experiences booked globally. Growth was strongest in Latin America and Asia Pacific, while North America experienced a slight slowdown. Following the results, shares fell six per cent, with investor concerns over anticipated slower revenue growth and margin pressures in the second half of the year, driven by increased technology and compliance costs.
Airbnb also reported progress in AI tools designed to improve customer support, as part of its broader strategy to integrate homes, hotels, services and experiences into a single platform.
Highlights:
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Airbnb will increase hotel listings on its platform, focusing on independent and boutique properties outside North America.
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The expansion is part of a “beyond the core” strategy combining hotels with home rentals.
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Q2 2025 results: $3.1 billion revenue, $642 million net income, 134 million nights and experiences booked.
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Shares fell six per cent after earnings on slower growth and margin pressure guidance.
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AI-driven customer service has reduced human intervention by 15%, with plans to expand into trip planning and real-time support.
