An online marketplace for short- and long-term homestays and experiences is run by the American corporation Airbnb, Inc., which has its headquarters in San Francisco. By taking a commission from each reservation, the business, which was established in 2008 by Brian Chesky, Nathan Blecharczyk, and Joe Gebbia, functions as a broker. Airbnb, which is short for AirBedandBreakfast.com, is credited with revolutionising the travel and hospitality sector. However, it has also drawn criticism for contributing to an exorbitant rise in property rents and for a lack of control, particularly from residents of tourist hub towns like Barcelona and Venice.

When roommates and former classmates Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia decided to convert their living room into a bed and breakfast using an inflatable mattress, the idea for Airbnb was born. A former roommate of Chesky's Nathan Blecharczyk joined as the third co-founder and chief technology officer of the new business, which they called AirBed & Breakfast, in February 2008. The website, which provides breakfast for individuals unable to get a hotel room in the crowded market, was formally launched in August 2008. To avoid confusion with air mattresses, the company abbreviated its name to Airbnb.com in March 2009. By that time, listings now covered complete rooms and homes.

Since its launch, Airbnb has experienced substantial growth and expansion. It has had difficulties like the COVID-19 epidemic, which caused a substantial decline in reservations. The business, however, adjusted by promising $250 million in payments to hosts as compensation for cancellations brought on by the epidemic. Despite having a bad year in 2021, when it suffered a $352 million loss, Airbnb turned a profit of $1.9 billion in 2022, returning to profitability. Longer stays, more demand in larger cities, and the increase of over 900,000 active listings year over year were some of the reasons given by the company for its success.