1) Lobbying. Uber has it easier because politicians are more apt to use their service since it's convenient, but a politician is frequently charging his or her

1) Lobbying. Uber has it easier because politicians are more apt to use their service since it's convenient, but a politician is frequently charging his or her stay to the taxpayer so who cares what a nice hotel costs. They may not be as strong an advocate for Airbnb so they'll need to be bought. 2) Buying up competition. Look at what HomeAway did before their IPO.