EP136: This Week in the World of Airbnb

Has the student become the teacher?One of the headlines in Airbnb news this week comes from the South China Morning Post, its author arguing that Chinese copycat home-sharing sites have begun to surpass Airbnb when it comes to innovation.Silvia Li Pham of Hostfully is back to chat with Jasper about this and other news stories, including the additional capital Airbnb has raised, the company’s intention to expand corporate business travel, and the reason behind Brian Chesky’s new title as CEO and head of community. Jasper and Silvia have fun unpacking this information – though maybe not as much fun as the guests at an Airbnb flat in Islington last week!Topics CoveredArticle #1: Airbnb Raises $1 Billion More in a Funding Round•Extends private face, postpones IPO•Facilitates additional acquisitions in the travel spaceArticle #2: Airbnb Explores Expansion in Long-Term Home Rentals•Cater to business travelers•Stays up to six months•Craigslist currently dominatesArticle #3: How China’s Airbnb Copycats Beat the Silicon Valley Titan at its Own Game•Chinese companies borrowed Airbnb template•Several of their innovations have been emulated by Airbnb (i.e.: Airbnb Trips, cleaning services)•Chinese managers visit hosts to consult•Seamless integration with apps like WeChatArticle #4: Airbnb Offers Hosts Greater Role in Company•Airbnb announces intention to give hosts a voice•Chesky will host quarterly Facebook Live event•Goal to increase host clubs from 114 to 1,000 by the end of 2018Article #5: Airbnb Renters Turned a Flat into a Nightclub with Tickets and a Bouncer•Islington, near London•Host on holiday•200+ people•Police arrived, called for backup•Guest banned from AirbnbResources MentionedArticle #1: www.nytimes.com/2017/03/09/technology/airbnb-1-billion-funding.htmlArticle #2: www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-03-08/airbnb-explores-expansion-in-long-term-home-rentalsAirbnb SubletsArticle #3: www.scmp.com/week-asia/business/article/2074802/how-chinas-airbnb-copycats-beat-silicon-valley-titan-its-own-gameArticle #4: www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/Airbnb-offers-hosts-greater-role-in-company-10984131.phpArticle #5: www.factmag.com/2017/03/09/airbnb-renters-turned-flat-nightclub-tickets-bouncer/Connect with JasperEmail: [email protected]: @GetPaidForUrPadInstagram: @GetPaidForYourPad Facebook: www.facebook.com/getpaidforyourpadThis episode is sponsored by Aviva IQ. Aviva IQ automates messages to your Airbnb guests. It's also free! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.