San Francisco

LAST year, Airbnb underwent a rough regulatory patch. The short-term rental company became a Federal Trade Commission target over the summer after three senators asked for an investigation into how companies such as Airbnb affect soaring housing costs. In October, Governor Andrew M Cuomo of New York signed a bill imposing steep fines on Airbnb hosts who break local housing rules.

The two actions appeared unrelated. But one group quietly took credit for both: the hotel industry.