Headquartered in San Francisco, California, Airbnb is a privately owned and operated online lodging company that hooks/links up short term renters with host residential homeowners. The cost of an accommodation is set by the property owner, and Airbnb receives percentage service fees from both guests and hosts in conjunction with every booking.  Airbnb in the lodging industry is similar to Uber in the transportation industry.  Airbnb has over 2,000,000 listings in 34,000 cities and 191 countries.  Users of Airbnb are categorized as “Hosts” and “Guests,” both of whom must register with Airbnb using a variety of means.  Airbnb recently changed its vision and mission statements to clarify for customers and employees how the firm differs from traditional hotel, motel, and bed and breakfast firms.  An article in Fortune reveals and discusses Airbnb’s old mission versus the company’s new mission.

Source:  Leigh Gallagher, “How Airbnb Found a Mission – and a Brand,” Fortune, January 1, 2017, p. 56-62.