Airbnb Earnings Surge While Co-Founder Makes Waves by Joining Dogecoin Team

Airbnb Earnings Surge on Strong Q4 Performance

Airbnb shares climbed more than 13 percent last Friday following the release of the company’s stronger-than-expected fourth-quarter and full-year earnings, fueled by rising international travel demand.

The company reported Q4 revenue of $2.49 billion, a 12 percent increase from the $2.22 billion posted during the same period in the previous year. Net income reached $461 million—an impressive turnaround from a $349 million loss the year before.

Looking ahead to Q1 2025, Airbnb expects revenue to fall between $2.23 billion and $2.27 billion. Adjusted profit for Q4 2024 came in at $765 million, up 4 percent year-over-year and significantly above analyst estimates of $653.5 million.

Key operational metrics also beat expectations. Airbnb recorded 111 million nights and experiences booked—up 12 percent year-over-year and above the 108.7 million projected by financial data firm StreetAccount.

The platform now counts over five million hosts and eight million active listings worldwide. The average daily rate rose slightly by 1 percent to $158 in the fourth quarter.

In a letter to shareholders, Airbnb stated: “Airbnb is a fundamentally stronger company today than it was several years ago. We’re continuing to build on this momentum in 2025, executing a multi-year strategy to perfect the core service, accelerate growth in global markets, and launch and scale new offerings.”

As part of that long-term plan, the company previewed a new travel product set to launch in May. It is allocating between $200 million and $250 million to the initiative. CEO Brian Chesky added during the post-earnings conference call that Airbnb aims to launch one or two new businesses each year over the next five years.

Regional Highlights from Q4

• Outbound Chinese tourism saw a 25 percent increase in nights booked.
• Domestic travel in Latin America rose 30 percent, with Brazil leading the growth.
• First-time bookers in Latin America grew nearly 15 percent.

Joe Gebbia Joins DOGE Initiative

In a separate development, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia is reportedly joining the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group associated with Elon Musk, according to The New York Times.

Gebbia, a longtime friend of Musk, stepped back from his operational role at Airbnb in 2022 but remains on the company’s board. He was seen arriving at the Office of Personnel Management headquarters in Washington, D.C., last Friday, where he is expected to begin assisting Musk as part of the DOGE initiative.

Written by George Sell. Originally published on Short Term Rentals, February 17, 2025.