Airbnb is trying to sell itself as a saviour for struggling cities and small towns. But it’s actually a devil in disguise.
Just over a year ago, Airbnb was in dire straits. The pandemic had ground global travel to a halt, all but vaporizing the tech giant’s business model. Bookings were cancelled. Revenue disappeared. By May of 2020, the company had announced sweeping layoffs — slashing a quarter of its workforce. It was said to be facing hundreds of millions in losses. The sharing economy, pundits proclaimed, was gutted. You wouldn’t know that, though, from Airbnb’s current marketing campaign.…
Airbnb looks to Latin America, now its fastest-growing market
As Airbnb turns its attention to Latin America, the often-combative company is taking an unusual approach. It’s giving local governments what they want. The home and apartment-rental company said it will collect and remit taxes in Mexico City, the first such arrangement in Latin America. Airbnb will provide 3 per cent of revenue generated from bookings in Mexico City to the city’s government. Hotels there also pay a 3 per cent lodging tax to local officials. Airbnb said it intends to replicate the…
