Airbnb, Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB) operates a global online marketplace that connects travelers with hosts offering short-term lodging, unique accommodations and related travel experiences. The company's core platform enables individuals and professional property managers to list private homes, apartments, single rooms and entire properties, while providing search, booking and payment processing for guests. Airbnb earns revenue primarily through service fees charged to guests and hosts and offers tools to facilitate reservations, communications, and logistics between parties.
Beyond accommodations, Airbnb has expanded its product portfolio to include curated experiences led by local hosts, higher-end offerings such as Airbnb Luxe, and programs aimed at enhancing quality and safety like Airbnb Plus. The platform includes features for hosts such as dynamic pricing tools, calendar management, insurance protections and reviews, as well as trust-and-safety measures for guests. Airbnb also serves business travelers through corporate profiles and offerings tailored to work-related stays.
Founded in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia and Nathan Blecharczyk, Airbnb is headquartered in San Francisco, California. The company grew rapidly from a peer-to-peer room-sharing concept into a multinational travel technology business and completed its initial public offering in December 2020. It is led by co-founder and chief executive officer Brian Chesky, who has been a prominent public face of the company since its founding.
Airbnb operates globally, with listings and services spanning hundreds of countries and regions and millions of guest nights facilitated through its platform. The company has pursued initiatives beyond its commercial marketplace, including nonprofit and community programs that provide temporary housing and disaster relief. Its business model and technology platform position it as a key intermediary in the broader short-term rental and experiential travel markets.