San Francisco, California, United States | Hospitality & Business Leadership
Airbnb has appointed Pepijn Rijvers as its new Chief Business Officer (CBO), marking a significant leadership change for the global travel and hospitality platform. Rijvers will take responsibility for several of Airbnb’s major business areas, including Homes, Hotels, Enterprise Operations and Global Markets.
The appointment comes as Airbnb continues to evolve beyond its traditional home-sharing model and expand its presence across the wider travel and hospitality ecosystem.
Pepijn Rijvers Takes on Expanded Leadership Role
As Chief Business Officer, Rijvers will oversee a broad portfolio spanning Airbnb’s core accommodation business and several of its strategic growth areas. His responsibilities will include the company’s Homes and Hotels businesses, enterprise operations and global markets.
The role puts Rijvers at the centre of Airbnb’s efforts to strengthen its existing business while exploring new opportunities across international travel and hospitality.
With travellers increasingly looking for a wider choice of accommodation and travel experiences, Airbnb’s expansion into hotels and other areas has become an important part of its long-term business strategy.
Dave Stephenson to Leave Airbnb After Eight Years
Rijvers succeeds Dave Stephenson, who is set to leave Airbnb at the end of 2026 after eight years with the company.
Stephenson has played an important role in Airbnb’s growth and transformation. He originally joined the company as Chief Financial Officer, where he helped build a finance organisation focused on operational discipline and sustainable long-term performance.
His tenure also included some of Airbnb’s most challenging and defining periods, including the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Stephenson was also closely involved in the company’s public listing, one of the most closely watched technology IPOs of its time.
Building Airbnb Beyond Home Sharing
Stephenson later became Airbnb’s first Chief Business Officer, taking on responsibility for building and leading the company’s Business organisation.
During his leadership, Airbnb expanded its offering beyond traditional home stays, developing businesses around Hotels, Services and Experiences. These additions helped Airbnb position itself as a broader travel platform rather than simply a marketplace for private accommodation.
Rijvers will now inherit responsibility for several of these strategically important business areas as Airbnb enters its next stage of development.
A Stronger Focus on Homes, Hotels and Global Markets
Rijvers’ portfolio brings together some of Airbnb’s most important commercial opportunities.
Homes will continue to form the foundation of Airbnb’s global business, connecting travellers with hosts in destinations around the world. At the same time, the company’s growing focus on Hotels provides an opportunity to attract travellers who may traditionally have preferred conventional hotel accommodation.
Global Markets will also be a key part of Rijvers’ responsibilities. The role will involve supporting Airbnb’s international growth while responding to the different needs, regulations and travel patterns found across global destinations.
Enterprise Operations adds another significant component to his portfolio, giving Rijvers responsibility across a broad range of Airbnb’s business and operational activities.
Leadership Transition at Airbnb
The transition will take place with Stephenson remaining at Airbnb through the end of 2026 to support the handover and maintain continuity.
Stephenson currently also serves as Head of Employee Experience. That responsibility will move to Fallon O’Connor, currently Airbnb’s Vice President of Communications.
O’Connor will take on an expanded position as Head of Communications and People, adding another layer to the company’s ongoing leadership transition.
Airbnb Continues to Evolve as a Global Travel Platform
Since its launch in 2007, Airbnb has transformed from a small San Francisco home-sharing concept into one of the world’s most recognised travel platforms.
The company’s growth into Hotels, Services and Experiences reflects a broader shift in the travel industry, where customers increasingly expect accommodation, activities and other travel needs to be available through interconnected platforms.
For Airbnb, expanding into these areas represents an opportunity to deepen its relationship with travellers while creating additional ways for hosts, hotels and service providers to participate in the platform.
Rijvers’ appointment comes at an important moment in that evolution. With responsibility spanning Homes, Hotels, Enterprise Operations and Global Markets, his leadership will play an important role in shaping Airbnb’s next phase of growth.
What Pepijn Rijvers’ Appointment Means for Airbnb
The appointment of Pepijn Rijvers as Chief Business Officer signals Airbnb’s continued focus on strengthening its core accommodation business while expanding its position within the broader hospitality and travel industry.
As the company competes in an increasingly diverse global travel market, Rijvers will be responsible for balancing Airbnb’s established strengths with emerging opportunities across hotels, international markets and other areas of the travel ecosystem.
The leadership transition also represents the next chapter following Dave Stephenson’s eight-year contribution to Airbnb. With the handover extending through the end of 2026, the company is positioning itself for continuity while preparing for its next stage of international growth and business expansion.
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