One of Airbnb's co-founders, Nathan Blecharczyk, has led conversations about how home-sharing services mesh with conventional hospitality models. His viewpoint frequently clarifies the constantly changing travel lodging market.

Blecharzyck's comment brings to light a prevalent conflict in the sector: some hotels are averse to change and see new lodging options, such as those provided by Airbnb, as rivals that don't follow rules or guidelines. Hotels contend that since these alternative lodging options aren't appropriately categorized as regulated businesses, they shouldn't be permitted.

Blecharczyk, however, highlights a subtlety in this argument. According to him, when hotels call something a "illegal hotel," it can occasionally be a catch-all term for any type of accommodation that doesn't conform to the conventional definition of what is approved and recognized by regional authorities.

Consider this argument as a comparison between ride-sharing apps and traditional taxis, two distinct modes of urban transportation. Taxis are licensed by cities, have established regulations, and have been in operation for a longer period of time. The taxi industry frequently criticizes ride-sharing services for not adhering to all current laws and standards, despite the fact that they provide comparable but different services.

In this comparison, hotels stand in for taxis, which are widely recognized for their function in a city's transportation system. Home-sharing websites like Airbnb and others are similar to ride-sharing apps, which are more recent and adaptable options that have challenged conventions but occasionally run afoul of the law.

By adopting this viewpoint, Blecharczyk emphasizes how crucial it is to acknowledge the diversity of the hospitality sector and the fact that not all lodging options neatly fit into the conventional hotel category. This understanding is essential as nations and cities create laws to support both conventional and contemporary lodging options.