Money has been pouring into digital travel startups that help keep the noise low and the sheets crisp

"Over the past decade, Airbnb Inc. has transformed the travel sector by persuading millions of people to open up their homes to complete strangers. As the company grew, amassing more than 6 million listings in about 191 countries, it has spawned a whole ecosystem of startups that seek a piece of the booming market for private accommodations by helping to fill in the gaps that Airbnb and the others can’t or don’t address, like automating the check-in process and providing keyless entry around the clock. Some sell software that promises to calculate the perfect listing price or updates a property’s availability instantly. One company helps owners decorate – from furniture to bedding –...

Money has been pouring into digital travel startups that help keep the noise low and the sheets crisp

"Over the past decade, Airbnb Inc. has transformed the travel sector by persuading millions of people to open up their homes to complete strangers. As the company grew, amassing more than 6 million listings in about 191 countries, it has spawned a whole ecosystem of startups that seek a piece of the booming market for private accommodations by helping to fill in the gaps that Airbnb and the others can’t or don’t address, like automating the check-in process and providing keyless entry around the clock. Some sell software that promises to calculate the perfect listing price or updates a property’s availability instantly. One company helps owners decorate – from furniture to bedding – to create that unique vacation-rental-unit vibe. ..