Airbnb weighs up bid for China-based home-sharing site Xiaozhu.com

Airbnb is reported to be in discussions to buy rival China-based home-sharing site Xiaozhu.com. Xiaozhu was established in 2011 with a similar online home-rental model to Airbnb. Based in Beijing, it has listings in cities across China, and its users mainly travel within the country. Both Xiaozhu and Airbnb trail well behind market leader Tujia.com, … Continue reading Airbnb weighs up bid for China-based home-sharing site Xiaozhu.com

Airbnb is reported to be in discussions to buy rival China-based home-sharing site Xiaozhu.com.

Xiaozhu was established in 2011 with a similar online home-rental model to Airbnb.

Based in Beijing, it has listings in cities across China, and its users mainly travel within the country.

Both Xiaozhu and Airbnb trail well behind market leader Tujia.com, a Beijing-based home-rental company with a valuation that tops $1 billion and invests including Chinese online-travel firm Ctrip – which has just taken over Skyscanner.

A deal between Airbnb and Xiaozhu would give the San Francisco firm a rapid boost in its effort to expand in the world’s most populous country, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Further details about the discussions – including the price Airbnb would pay – has not been disclosed.