- Airbnb raised its 2026 revenue growth forecast.
- Nights and seats booked rise 16 percent.
- Hotel listings span more than 60 destinations.
The company now expects annual revenue growth in the ‘high teens,’ compared with its earlier forecast of ‘at least mid-teens,’ Reuters reported.
Third-quarter revenue rose 19 percent to $4.87 billion. Gross booking value increased 21 percent to $27.7 billion, while net income reached $1.9 billion. Adjusted EBITDA grew 22 percent to $2.5 billion, with a margin of 52 percent.
Nights and seats bookings rose 16 percent to 155 million. All regions recorded double-digit growth in nights booked. North America posted its fastest growth in four years, with bookings increasing at a low double-digit rate. EMEA recorded growth in the mid-teens. First-time booker growth reached 13 percent, its highest level since early 2022, with Gen Z travelers recording the fastest growth.
The outlook contrasts with more cautious forecasts from other travel companies. Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Marriott International, Expedia Group and Booking Holdings have flagged concerns about elevated airfares linked to the Iran war and unrest in parts of Europe.
“Airbnb does not expect a material impact in its current quarter from the unrest in Europe, specifically France, or the conflict in the Middle East, but is closely monitoring trends in both regions,” Ellie Mertz, Airbnb chief financial officer told Reuters.
Hotel listings and AI expansion
Airbnb has added thousands of boutiques and independent hotels to its platform in more than 60 destinations. Hotels still account for a single-digit share of total nights booked. About 35 percent of guests whose first booking through the platform is a hotel later return to book a home.
The company's AI assistant resolved about 40 percent of customer support issues without a human agent in the third quarter, up from about one-third in the second quarter. Support costs per booking fell more than 17 percent during the period.
It introduced more than 50 products and features in the quarter, nearly 70 percent more than a year earlier. It is developing an AI agent to help guests plan and book trips, with a rollout expected in the first half of 2027. The planned tool will use a travel-focused interface rather than a standard chat window.
Airbnb reported a 60 percent year-over-year increase in origin net nights booked from India in the second quarter, while first-time bookers more than doubled.
