Airbnb

Low-cost AI models from China that can perform almost as well as costlier offerings from premier US labs

Company’s optimistic outlook suggests global travel demand will remain healthy

The fervour is reshaping the lodging market in match cities across the United States

It is also partnering boutique and independent hotels

Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York, for example, have imposed stricter Airbnb rules, including caps on annual rental days

A tourism boom has driven the buoyant Spanish economy

Regulators will instead encourage owners of villas and guest houses to get proper licences

AIRBNB issued a better-than-expected outlook for the holiday quarter, citing strong demand as US travelers used its recently launched “reserve now, pay later” feature to book trips in advance.

New York politicians have argued short-term rentals have exacerbated the city’s housing affordability crisis