Airbnb is a New Form of Accommodation The Van Gogh-inspired Airbnb room in Chicago. Airbnb is an online community marketplace that connects people looking to rent their homes with those looking for accommodation. Founded in San Francisco in 2008 as a start-up, the company has grown into a global booking platform. It contributes to the movement of more than 60 million people in 192 countries. The company has 1.5 million listings and has served over 35 million customers to date. Airbnb sees more than 140,000 people staying in its guest houses every day. In 2012, it surpassed Hilton hotels in number of nights booked. The company was valued at $31 billion in March 2017 and the personal wealth of its three founders, Joe Gebbia, Nathan Blecharczyk and Brian Chesky. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay. Airbnb uses an aggregator business model, like Uber or Indian company Oyo Rooms. It does not have a linear business model like traditional hotel chains such as Marriott, Hilton, etc. Traditional hotel companies must invest millions in the construction and maintenance of their properties. Airbnb's key resources are people, so it doesn't need to do any of that. This allows it to grow incredibly quickly with zero marginal cost. People can list their available space on the platform and earn extra money from what they receive in rent for their properties. As a platform, it also allows travelers to connect with local hosts and book homestays rather than expensive hotels, allowing them to save money and “live like a place.” Personal profiles and rating/review systems help travelers make an informed decision about hosts and what is offered. Hosts can also choose who to rent their space to. These help build trust and reputation in the community. In addition to guests and hosts, Airbnb's business model also includes a vast network of independent photographers in every major city around the world. They visit a property and obtain high definition photographs of the property. These high-definition photographs improve click-through rates and help get more responses. Airbnb pays these photographers directly. Tosi was an in-house financial expert, creating a hedge fund-style investment fund for Airbnb with stocks, currencies and other investments that contributed up to 30% of the company's cash flow. Airbnb's marketing strategies are brand partnerships with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, British bookstore chain and French government. Secondly, through influencers such as journalists, bloggers, Youtubers and Instagram stars, to raise awareness across all social networks. Finally, they take risks and build a community by creating trust between users. They also establish regular communication, detailed profiles, and in-depth reviews to make engagement phenomenal. Airbnb's ownership type is business. Airbnb's mission is to live in a world where one day we can feel at home anywhere and not in a house, but truly at home, where you belong. Airbnb's vision is Belong Anywhere. Airbnb goals look forward to working internationally to remove bad actors from our community who disrupt their.