Those facts also make it a risky bet because it is easier for competitors to enter the market. Airbnb is only massively profitable because they have a dominant position but what will happen if that position starts to slip and they have to compete for listings? The surcharge is inevitably going to fall.

>It’s a massively profitable website

Because they are externalizing the costs onto the hosts, many of whom are skirting liability obligations, heath and safety and zoning laws.

Agreed but the competition is also well established.