Airbnb Begins 2025 Strong with $25 Billion in Guest Spending in Q1

Airbnb Begins 2025 Strong with $25 Billion in Guest Spending in Q1

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 5, 2025

Airbnb kicked off 2025 with a strong performance, reporting nearly $25 billion in guest spending in Q1. The company highlighted that despite global uncertainties, people continue to choose Airbnb for its flexibility and global reach. With millions of homes available across different price points, the platform remains a preferred choice for both guests and hosts worldwide.

Airbnb attributed this success to its adaptable business model, which has withstood major economic challenges from its beginnings during the Great Recession to going public amid the pandemic. The company has also made consistent improvements to its core service, such as launching “Guest Favorites” and a transparent total price display, to enhance user experience.

For Q1 2025, Airbnb reported a revenue of $2.3 billion, marking a 6% year-over-year increase. This growth was primarily driven by an increase in nights stayed, though slightly offset by a dip in the Average Daily Rate (ADR). Without the impact of exchange rates and calendar differences including the timing of Easter and Leap Day in 2024, the adjusted revenue growth would have been 11%.

Net income for the quarter was $154 million, representing a 7% margin, compared to $264 million in Q1 2024. This decline was mainly due to higher stock-based compensation linked to increased headcount, investment write-downs, and lower interest income. Adjusted EBITDA came in at $417 million with an 18% margin, down slightly from $424 million the previous year due to higher product development investments.

Airbnb’s Free Cash Flow (FCF) stood at $1.8 billion for Q1, with a robust FCF margin of 78%, slightly down from $1.9 billion in Q1 2024 due to lower net income. The trailing twelve-month FCF was $4.4 billion.

The company also repurchased $807 million of its Class A common stock in Q1 2025. This brought total share repurchases over the past year to $3.5 billion, reducing the fully diluted share count from 677 million to 660 million. As of March 31, 2025, Airbnb held $11.5 billion in cash, short-term investments, and restricted cash, alongside $9.2 billion in guest funds. The company still has $2.5 billion in authorized share repurchases remaining.

Looking ahead, Airbnb emphasized that it is laying the foundation for its next chapter, aiming to move beyond offering just places to stay. With a newly rebuilt app platform, the company is now positioned to roll out new business offerings in the coming years.


Archies and District by Zomato Team Up to Elevate India’s Going-Out Culture

Archies and District by Zomato Team Up to Elevate India’s Going-Out Culture

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

Archies, one of India’s most recognised gifting brands, has joined forces with District by Zomato, the dedicated going-out app, to offer consumers a seamless, rewarding way to celebrate everyday moments and special occasions. The collaboration integrates Archies' curated in-store offers into the District app’s ‘Stores’ tab, making gift discovery and shopping easier and more engaging.

The partnership reflects Archies' commitment to reaching new customer touchpoints while enhancing value and convenience. “At Archies, we are constantly exploring meaningful ways to connect with our customers across emerging touchpoints,” said Varun Moolchandani, Executive Director, Archies. “This collaboration with District by Zomato aligns with our vision to reach newer audiences, increase brand recall, and offer convenience-led value. We believe this association will play a key role in driving footfalls and boosting customer retention.”

Through the District app, users will gain access to exclusive deals and special product selections from Archies’ physical outlets, especially around key celebrations such as Valentine's Day, Mother’s Day, and Friendship Day. These offers can be discovered digitally and redeemed in-store using an integrated payment feature, blending online convenience with offline shopping.

This strategic tie-up is expected to open up new customer segments for Archies while enhancing the app experience for District users. Together, the brands are working to redefine India’s going-out culture by combining celebration with ease, connection, and value.


CG Hospitality’s Wellness Retreat Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Eyes India Entry

CG Hospitality’s Wellness Retreat Joins Marriott’s Autograph Collection, Eyes India Entry

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

CG Hospitality, a global hospitality brand, is partnering with Marriott International to bring its iconic wellness retreat, The Farm at San Benito in the Philippines, under Marriott’s Autograph Collection. This marks the brand’s first Autograph Collection property in the Philippines and adds a fresh dimension to CG Hospitality’s expanding global footprint.

Set across 52 acres of lush greenery in Batangas, The Farm is known for its holistic healing experiences and luxurious villas. The resort will officially become part of the Autograph Collection by the end of Q3 2025. This collaboration positions The Farm alongside Marriott’s unique and independently styled properties worldwide, including Grand Universe Lucca in Italy and The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas.

The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of notable figures like the First Lady of the Philippines, Louise Araneta-Marcos, and Tourism Assistant Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, signaling the resort’s importance in enhancing wellness tourism across Southeast Asia.

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Rahul Chaudhary, Managing Director and CEO of CG Corp Global and CG Hospitality Holdings, shared, “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to wellness and experiential hospitality. By combining our expertise with Marriott’s global reach, The Farm at San Benito will set new standards in luxury wellness. We look forward to bringing this concept to India soon.”

This strategic move is part of CG Hospitality’s broader expansion plan under its ‘Vision 2025.’ The company has over 120 operational hotels in India and continues to sign around 30 new properties each year. The Indian market holds special significance, and CG Hospitality plans to bring its modern wellness model to the country in alignment with India’s ambition to emerge as a global wellness destination.

The upgraded resort will offer 70 accommodations, including pool villas, wellness facilities, a spa, a medical wellness center, and event spaces for both leisure and corporate guests.

Marriott Asia Pacific’s President, Rajeev Menon, added, “With wellness emerging as a key driver of travel decisions, this is a timely entry for us. The Philippines offers the perfect setting for our Autograph Collection brand, and we’re excited to expand further.”

CG Hospitality’s long-standing presence in India through partnerships with brands like IHCL’s Taj, Fern Hotels, and Jetwing has made it a recognized name in luxury and mid-market hospitality. Its parent company, CG Corp Global, also owns FMCG brand Wai Wai and operates across 32 countries with a diverse business portfolio.

The collaboration between CG Hospitality and Marriott marks more than just a business move—it signals a growing trend in wellness travel. With eyes set on India, the stage is being set for a fresh chapter in luxury wellness experiences, made accessible to a wider audience.


Vardhman Amrante Announces ₹1,350 Crore Push for Punjab’s Real Estate

Vardhman Amrante Announces ₹1,350 Crore Push for Punjab’s Real Estate

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 7, 2025

Vardhman Amrante, a flagship venture from the Oswal Group, is all set to reshape Punjab’s real estate sector with an ambitious ₹1,350 crore investment. Spread over the next three years, the initiative targets Ludhiana and other rapidly growing urban pockets, aiming to create a fresh narrative for the state's urban development.

This investment will power a wide range of real estate ventures including commercial, residential, hospitality, industrial, and allied projects. With a strong financial backbone and a forward-looking approach, the group is positioning itself to contribute meaningfully to Punjab’s infrastructure, economy, and service ecosystem.

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Speaking about the vision, Adish Oswal, Chairman and Managing Director of the Oswal Group, shared, “Our vision goes beyond building spaces; we aim to craft destinations that reflect the bold aspirations of a new Punjab. Over the next decade, we are committed to redefining the region’s urban blueprint through high-end residential and commercial developments, setting new benchmarks for quality and innovation. With this approach, we aspire to establish Vardhman Amrante as the most preferred and trusted real estate brand in Punjab.”

Vardhman Amrante holds the distinction of being Ludhiana’s first organised and professional real estate player, committed to shaping Punjab’s identity as a destination of aspiration. With a line-up of quality-driven projects, the company is helping position Punjab as a magnet for both lifestyle-focused and business-oriented development.

This large-scale investment underscores the Oswal Group’s belief in Punjab’s strong growth potential and echoes the state’s vision of modern, inclusive urbanisation. Through this, Vardhman Amrante is not just building real estate, but contributing to a bolder, more dynamic future for the region.

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