CEO Brian Chesky announced a major business expansion at an investor conference on September 9, 2026. Airbnb will move beyond short-term rentals into hotels, services, and experiences. The company aims to leverage artificial intelligence to become an AI-native business.
Airbnb’s core rental business currently approaches $100 billion in gross booking value. Chesky identified the hotel market as a significantly larger growth opportunity. This shift reverses previous branding that positioned Airbnb as an alternative to traditional hotels.
The expansion follows a period of rebuilding the company’s technology and operational foundation.