Airbnb has lifted its revenue growth forecast for 2026 and cited continued demand for leisure travel despite inflation and geopolitical uncertainty.
The San Francisco-based company now expects revenue to grow in the “high teens” this year, up from its previous projection of at least mid-teens growth.
The revised outlook reflects confidence in travel spending, particularly among affluent customers and those taking international trips.
Airbnb also announced a new share repurchase program, authorizing the purchase of shares for up to an extra $12 billion of Class A common stock.
The online vacation rental company indicated that there is strong demand for travel around the world, although it is keeping an eye on developments across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Nights and seats booked, a metric covering accommodation stays and service bookings, increased 16% year over year to 155 million in the third quarter.
North American bookings recorded low-double-digit annual growth, while the Europe, Middle East and Africa region posted growth in the mid-teens.
Airbnb also reported an opportunity to turn hotel guests into home-rental customers. Around 35% of guests whose first booking through the platform is a hotel later return to reserve a home.
The results come as travel companies continue to count on steady demand for international trips, supported by corporate travel and spending from higher-income customers.
Airbnb outlines AI plans as customer support costs decline
Meanwhile, as Hilton, Marriott, Expedia, and Booking Holdings have issued cautious fourth-quarter forecasts amid higher airfares and unrest in Europe, Airbnb expects no material impact from the situation in France or the Middle East conflict, CFO Ellie Mertz said.
The booking platform continues to monitor both regions.
Airbnb also sold intellectual property to a privately held AI lab founded by CEO Brian Chesky for $7.1 million in November.
It is developing an AI agent for trip planning and bookings, with a rollout expected in the first half of 2027.
Customer support costs per booking fell more than 17% in the third quarter. Around 40% of customer issues were resolved without human assistance, up from one-third in the previous quarter.
Diluted earnings per share reached $3.16, compared with $2.21 a year earlier.
Also Read: Airbnb plans AI-powered travel agent to transform trip planning by 2027
