Airbnb raises 2026 forecast for second time on travel demand

Airbnb ↗ 1.62% raised its full-year revenue forecast for a second time in 2026 after reporting robust travel demand across the United States and Europe, the company said Thursday following the release of its second-quarter results.

Upgraded Outlook

The short-term rental platform now expects annual revenue to grow by "at least mid-teens" in percentage terms, up from the "low- to mid-teens" guidance it provided in May. Airbnb also lifted its full-year adjusted EBITDA margin forecast to "at least 35.5%" from the prior target of at least 35%.wsj+1

The revised outlook marks the second upward revision this year. In February, Airbnb had projected revenue growth of "at least low double-digits". That was raised in May to "low to mid-teens" after the company reported first-quarter revenue of $2.68 billion, an 18% year-over-year increase.reuters+1

Demand Drivers

According to Bloomberg, analysts had expected a 14% revenue increase for 2026 before the latest upgrade. The Wall Street Journal News Corp ↗ 0.28% reported that Airbnb attributed the improved outlook to a surge in worldwide demand and the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance its platform.bloomberg+1

The results were released after market close on Thursday, with an earnings call scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Heading into the report, Wall Street consensus had called for second-quarter earnings of roughly $1.25 per share on revenue of $3.58 billion.investors.airbnb+1

Context

Airbnb's trajectory in 2026 reflects a broader recovery in global travel spending. The company generated $12.2 billion in revenue in 2025, a 9.9% increase from the prior year. Its guidance upgrades throughout 2026 suggest an acceleration from that pace, driven by strength in its largest markets.businessofapps