Airbnb is raising new funds at a $30bn valuation
Airbnb is said to be seeking further funding at a $30bn valuation, which is three times more than its valuation just two years ago, and would make the home-sharing platform twice as valuable as hotel rival, Marriott International. Furthermore, if completed, the round will make Airbnb the third-most valuable tech start-up in the world, coming after Uber and Xiaomi. Sources told The New York Times that the firm plans to use the financing to expand globally, from its current two million listings in 200 countries.

Airbnb, which lets users list their homes and apartments for short-term rentals, is in talks for a new round of investment that would value the company at about $30 billion, according to people briefed on the matter.

Under the terms of the new fund-raising, Airbnb will have tripled its valuation in two years.

Airbnb plans to use the financing to further feed its growth plans and international expansion, said these people, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The company, based in San Francisco, has been expanding in new markets over the last two years, with a 700 percent increase in business from Chinese travelers, the company has said. Last year, Airbnb opened its operations in Cuba for the first time.



Airbnb is also experimenting with alternative lines of revenue, for example, by letting tourists include add-on services in their trips like restaurant reservations and museum tours.