Airbnb announced, on 1 September 2026, the appointment of Pepijn Rijvers as the group’s Chief Business Officer. He takes charge of the Homes, Hotels, Global Markets and Enterprise Operations divisions, according to a letter sent to employees by co-founder and chief executive Brian Chesky.
Pepijn Rijvers previously served as Chief Business Officer of Tripadvisor Group, where he oversaw the consumer, Experiences and Hotels businesses. He had joined the group as president of Viator. His appointment at Airbnb marks the return of an executive trained at one of the Californian group’s principal competitors in the accommodation segment.
A thirteen-year career at Booking.com
Before Tripadvisor, Pepijn Rijvers spent thirteen years at Booking.com, where he held several senior roles spanning accommodation, supply, marketing and international growth. He built out the group’s homes business, led one of the industry’s largest performance marketing organisations, and went on to become Managing Director of Accommodations. He also helped shape the vision that led Booking to expand into flights and other areas of travel.
According to Brian Chesky, this experience at what he describes as an intent-based platform — one where travellers arrive with a destination already decided in order to complete a transaction — gives Pepijn Rijvers a clear understanding of why Airbnb must follow a different path, one built around discovering a destination, a place to stay and local experiences. Chesky also described the executive as an entrepreneur, having founded his first company at the age of 17 before joining Booking.com in 2008 for his first salaried role.
Hotels, a confirmed strategic priority
The remit given to Pepijn Rijvers, combining Homes and Hotels, confirms the priority Airbnb has placed on developing its hotel offering, a push under way for several months. La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie reported in early August on the signing of a distribution agreement with Lark Hotels, bringing more than 75 American boutique hotels onto the platform, in line with an ambition set out in spring to welcome thousands of independent properties.
This hotel pivot, long a peripheral concern for a platform historically built on peer-to-peer rentals, now places Airbnb in more direct competition with traditional hotel distribution players, including Booking.com, one of Pepijn Rijvers’ previous employers.
Dave Stephenson departs after eight years
This change in leadership comes alongside the departure of Dave Stephenson, who is leaving Airbnb after eight years spanning three senior roles. As Chief Financial Officer for five years, he led the group through the pandemic and its stock market listing, ahead of Airbnb’s entry into the Fortune 500 and the S&P 500. As the group’s first Chief Business Officer, he built out the Hotels business and launched the Services and Experiences segments. He also led the Employee Experience organisation over the past five years.
According to Airbnb, Dave Stephenson will remain involved until the end of the year to support the transition with his successor.
A reshuffle across several senior roles
The appointment of Pepijn Rijvers comes alongside a redistribution of the responsibilities previously held by Dave Stephenson.
Fallon O’Connor, who has led Communications at Airbnb for eleven years, becomes Head of Communications and People, taking on responsibility for the Recruiting, Talent and Belonging & Development teams, brought together under a new People organisation.
The Performance & Rewards and Workplace Operations functions move under the finance organisation, led by Ellie Mertz. Partnerships functions transfer to Hiroki Asai, while Corporate Development & Strategy also joins the finance organisation.
According to Brian Chesky, these adjustments reflect the group’s continuing organisational evolution, as Airbnb seeks to strengthen its position in traditional accommodation while growing its adjacent businesses.
At a glance by The Hospitality Tribune
Airbnb appoints Pepijn Rijvers as new Chief Business Officer
Effective September 1, 2026, Rijvers oversees Homes, Hotels, Global Markets and Enterprise Operations
He was most recently Chief Business Officer of Tripadvisor Group, previously president of Viator
He spent 13 years at Booking.com, including as Managing Director of Accommodations
He succeeds Dave Stephenson, who departs after 8 years, including as Airbnb’s first CBO
The appointment reinforces Airbnb’s hotel strategy, following its August partnership with Lark Hotels
Fallon O’Connor and Ellie Mertz gain expanded leadership responsibilities as part of the reshuffle
