Airbnb Appoints Head of China Operations After Long Search
- The home-rental startup promotes current executive Hong Ge
- Mainland ambitions face stiff challenges from local players
Airbnb Inc. banners displayed outside a media event in Johannesburg, South Africa, on July 27, 2015.
Photographer: Waldo Swiegers/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
After a long search for an executive to run operations in China, Airbnb Inc. named an existing executive, Hong Ge, as vice president in charge of its business in the world’s second-largest economy.
Hong will report to Airbnb Chief Executive Officer Brian Chesky, the vacation-rental company said in an emailed statement Thursday. “Hong has unparalleled knowledge of our product and what it needs to be in China, combining a deep technical expertise with an understanding of the local market,” Airbnb said.