February 2021
February 2021 was the month Airbnb reported its first results as a public company: revenue of $3.4 billion for 2020, down 30%, and a net loss of $4.6 billion. England's roadmap set 12 April as the earliest date for self-contained holiday lets to reopen, one household at a time. San Diego's council passed the first reading of a cap on whole-home rentals, Scotland withdrew its licensing legislation, and France's Cour de cassation backed the rental rules of Paris.
A look back, written in October 2026 from sources published in February 2021. Stay Gazette opened in July 2026.
World · 22 February 2021England's Roadmap Sets 12 April as the Earliest Date for Holiday Lets to ReopenBoris Johnson's four-step plan put self-contained holiday lets in step two, no earlier than 12 April 2021 and for one household at a time. Hotels, hostels and B&Bs were placed in step three, and every date depended on the data.By Tomás Ferreira · Filed 11 October 2026 · 7 min read
The Money · 25 February 2021Airbnb's First Results as a Public Company Show a $4.6 Billion Net Loss for 2020Airbnb's revenue for 2020 fell 30% to $3.4 billion, and the company said charges tied to its initial public offering and the later rise in its share price contributed to a net loss of $4.6 billion. For hosts, the letter carried a plan to recruit more of them and no outlook for the rest of 2021.By Dana Whitfield · Filed 11 October 2026 · 7 min read
Pictures on this page. 1. Photo: Port Isaac Harbour SDI1900 by Meriadoc Brandibuck, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized). 2. Photo: Mission Dolores Park view January 2026 by 4300streetcar, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (resized).
What else was reported in February 2021
- 11 February 2021Expedia Group said on 11 February 2021 that its lodging revenue fell 58% in the fourth quarter of 2020 as room nights stayed dropped 61%, while revenue per room night rose 6%, helped in part, it said, by Vrbo making up a larger share of room nights. Expedia Group (furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)
- 12 February 2021First Minister Mark Drakeford said tourism in Wales could reopen by Easter if infections continued to fall, the Blackpool Gazette reported on 12 February 2021. Holiday accommodation was closed under restrictions in place since 20 December, and he said the first step in reopening tourism in 2020 had been self-contained accommodation. Blackpool Gazette
- 19 February 2021France's Cour de cassation ruled on 18 February 2021 that the rules Paris applies to tourist rentals comply with European law, the city said. It said several hundred court cases against owners, 420 at that date, could be restarted. Ville de Paris
- 19 February 2021The Scottish Government withdrew its legislation for a licensing scheme for short-term lets and said the plans would return after the election, when draft guidance had been drawn up, Holyrood magazine reported on 19 February 2021. Holyrood Magazine
- 23 February 2021San Diego's City Council voted 8-1 on 23 February 2021 to approve the first reading of an ordinance limiting whole-home short-term rentals to 1% of the city's housing stock, a figure put at 5,400. The ordinance still needed a second vote at a later council meeting before final approval, City News Service reported. Times of San Diego (City News Service)
- 24 February 2021Booking Holdings reported on 24 February 2021 that its gross travel bookings for the fourth quarter of 2020 were $7.3 billion, a 65% decrease from the prior year, with room nights booked down 60% and a net loss of $165 million for the quarter. Booking Holdings (filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission)