This is the remarkable behind-the-scenes story of the creation and
growth of Airbnb, the online lodging platform that has become, in under
a decade, the largest provider of accommodations in the world. At first
just the wacky idea of cofounders Brian Chesky, Joe Gebbia, and Nathan
Blecharczyk, Airbnb has disrupted the $500 billion hotel industry, and
its $30 billion valuation is now larger than that of Hilton and close to
that of Marriott. Airbnb is beloved by the millions of members in its
"host" community and the travelers they shelter every night. And yet,
even as the company has blazed such an unexpected path, this is the
first book solely dedicated to the phenomenon of Airbnb.
Fortune editor Leigh Gallagher explores the success of Airbnb along
with the more controversial side of its story. Regulators want to curb
its rapid expansion; hotel industry leaders wrestle with the disruption
it has caused them; and residents and customers alike struggle with the
unintended consequences of opening up private homes for public
consumption. This is also the first in-depth study of Airbnb's leader,
Brian Chesky, the quirky and curious young CEO, as he steers the company
into new markets and increasingly uncharted waters.