Airbnb expands business to offer boutique hotels, car rentals and grocery delivery

The Airbnb app logo is displayed on an iPad screen in Washington, on May 8, 2021
Patrick Semansky/AP
The Airbnb platform, which faces strict regulations regarding short-term rentals in some cities around the world, announced this Wednesday (20) that it has begun incorporating boutique hotels, car rentals and food delivery into its app.
This is the latest move in Airbnb's attempt to capture a larger share of travel spending, which currently focus on competitors such as Booking.com and Expedia.
"From May onwards we will offer [...] everything from incredible accommodations and boutique hotels with the essence of Airbnb, to unforgettable experiences at the World Cup and services that make traveling easier", said Brian Chersky, co-founder and CEO of Airbnb, in a statement.
This move, 18 years after the company began in San Francisco, is a response to increasingly strict restrictions on short-term rentals.
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In December, Spain imposed a fine of US$75 million on the company (R$378 million, at current prices) for more than 65 thousand advertisements that did not comply with standards. Barcelona has decided not to renew thousands of rental licenses when they expire in 2028.
New York has banned virtually all short-term private rentals since 2023, and Paris has intensified its offensive against illegal listings in 2026.
The updated app incorporates grocery delivery through Instacart - an American technology platform focused on delivery and pickup of grocery shopping - in more than 25 cities in the United States.
With the service, the platform's customers will be able to have your grocery purchases delivered to your accommodation before or after check-in.
Also among the updates, airport and train station transfers will be available, as well as left-luggage services in more than 170 cities around the world. The platform also informed that it will also start offering car rentals, although it has not yet revealed who its partners will be.
Airbnb recorded revenue of US$2.68 billion (R$13.5 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, 18% more than in the same period of the previous year.
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*With information from the news agency France Presse

Source: G1