Airbnb to quit China as lockdowns restrict tourism

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In China, where the zero-covid policy has meant lockdowns are ongoing, the company is shutting down its domestic rentals.

The company will remove all listings for homes and experiences in the country by the summer, a source told the BBC.

Over the last few years, stays within China made up only 1% of the company's revenue.

Chinese residents are expected to be the focus of the company.

According to the UN World Tourism Organisation, the number of Chinese travellers going abroad tripled in less than a decade.

China has had some of the toughest Covid restrictions in the world since 2020.

In China,Airbnb set up its business. 25 million guests have booked stays there through the online home rental company.

A source familiar with the company's decision said the domestic rental operation for travellers visiting China had been complicated and expensive to run even before the Pandemic.

The company faced strong competition from native Chinese home-rental platforms and sent guest's details to the Chinese government in line with local laws and regulations.

The Chinese operation was renamed Aibiying, meaning to welcome each other with love, as part of its bid to expand.