Airbnb set for IPO in 2020

Airbnb has made no secret of its wish to eventually trade on the public markets--but investors (new and old) and the market now know it will be in 2020.

The company confirmed the decision in a short statement released today.

Narrowing down at what point over that 12-month period is unknown at this stage.

Still, the company must be confident that the steps it has put into place during the course of 2019 will be enough to embark on the traditional investor roadshows and corporate logistics by the fourth quarter of this year at the earliest.

A listing of Airbnb on the public markets, following those for Uber and Lyft during 2019, will be one of the most eagerly awaited IPOs in the travel industry in years.

It will also bring into sharp focus the differences or, indeed, similarities on a financial and product scale between it and its self-proclaimed rivals in the shape of Booking Holdings and Expedia Group.