Airbnb Appoints Kong Zhiqiu as Head of Asia Business
On September 15, Airbnb announced the appointment of Kong Zhiqiu as Head of Asia Business, overseeing operations in China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. Kong has spent over a decade at Airbnb in management roles across product innovation, business growth, and commercial strategy. Previously as head of Airbnb's China business, he drove localization strategy and led the team to significant growth in outbound travel demand. In his new role, he will apply experience gained in the China market to more Asian markets. Airbnb said Asia is one of the world's most dynamic travel markets, with about one-third of global travel demand coming from Asia, and the region also has the world'…
Impact and considerations
The appointment extends China-market localization and outbound-travel operating experience across multiple Asian markets, reflecting Airbnb's strategic focus on Asian demand and Gen Z travelers, with potential implications for regional accommodation supply and platform competition.
Key points
- On September 15, Airbnb announced Kong Zhiqiu as Head of Asia Business, overseeing operations in China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asia.
- Kong has spent over a decade at Airbnb in management roles across product innovation, business growth, and commercial strategy.
- Previously as head of Airbnb's China business, he drove localization strategy and led the team to significant growth in outbound travel demand.
- In his new role, he will apply experience gained in the China market to more Asian markets to drive sustainable regional growth.
- Airbnb said about one-third of global travel demand comes from Asia, and the region has the world's largest Gen Z population, making it important to Airbnb's long-term growth strategy.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- 品橙旅游
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 15 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 16 Sept 2026, 00:04
- Last updated
- 15 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- Pinchain Tourism：爱彼迎任命孔直秋为亚洲业务负责人 – 品橙旅游 (opens in a new tab)Primary source · zh · Published 15 Sept 2026, 08:00